Zuzana Gibb (Mrs Orwell) is cofounder of Orwell and Goode, a printmakers and design studio, based on the Scottish borders, along with Bronagh Okane (Mrs Goode), since 2010. This smiley duo first met in 2008 and their friendship soon blossomed into a strong and creative working relationship and partnership. The company has gone from strength to strength ever since. As of 2014, the company now has over 80 stockists throughout the UK and Europe. So we are proud to bring you the Designer Insights of Zuzana Gibb.
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1) In your own words describe your unique style and creative aesthetic?
Brave, playful, classic and colourful. The unusual combination of colour is the element that adds the uniqueness into the designs.
2) When starting a new project, what is your creative process?
Paper and pencil; the starting point of every design project. Ideas are sketched down, played around and when something starts to come to light that I like I transfer it onto a computer and continue with more editing.
3) Out of the creative people you have worked with, who is it that you respect and admire the most?
Jane Shepherd who taught me at Ravensbourne College of Art and Design. She managed to always get the most out of me and taught me how to see the designs as fluid forms that can take me unexpected directions. I stopped being precious and started to focus more on creating and making.
4) When looking for inspiration is there a particular thing you do to get inspired?
Anything visual can become an inspiration to me. I tend to take a lot of it from art (art in any form) and the Berwickshire mellow countryside when walking my labs.
5) What has brought you to this point in your career? And what is your advice for people looking to follow in your footsteps?
My artistic talent combined with Bronagh’s business sense. We together created a partnership which has allowed me to be more focused and bold. Advice: Make sure you get the right people/team around you who believe in you.
