WHO:
Linn Warme is a talented surface pattern designer and illustrator from Sweden with over 9 years of experience as a freelancer and in-house designer for some of Sweden’s top fashion brands, including Gudrun Sjödén.
“Working with patterns is pure joy for me, I love every aspect of it, from drawing with inspiration taken from nature to the technical aspect of creating manufacturing-ready repeats.” – Linn Warme
WHAT:
Linn creates colourful patterns & illustrations that are full of life! She finds her inspiration in the natural world and the stunning nature surrounding her. Think lush forests, wildlife, and the changing seasons of Sweden.
Her work is a mix of intricately hand-drawn designs and more simple digital ones. She often starts with simple sketches in her notebook, which she later turns into seamless repeat patterns using Photoshop.
What makes Linn’s work special is her ability to blend the tactile feel and beauty of traditional art with the precision and flexibility of digital design, making her artwork a perfect fit for manufacturing while still being full of heart.
You can find Linn’s designs on fabrics, wallpapers, phone cases, and home decor products. Her past clients include Moda Fabrics, Architectural Review, Singer Fabrics, Harper & Blake, Big Dipper Wax Works & many more.
WHY:
I love Linn’s work because it’s bursting with personality and gorgeous detail! I love her use of colour and her nature-inspired motifs. She has honed her craft and has developed a unique, beautiful signature style.
Plus, Linn’s experience in print design means she knows how to make her patterns not only stunning but also ready for industry and real world products.
WHERE:
You can find more of Linn’s work in her portfolio and on Instagram.
linnwarme.com
instagram.com/linn_warme
IN HER OWN WORDS:
What drew you to surface pattern design, and how did your background in textile art influence your career path?
“I have a Bachelor’s degree in textile art and we had a course in screen printing pattern designs, I completely fell in love with the practice. And I found my passion in the repeats. I greatly enjoy how the pattern designs (compared to my art practice) became more than just a piece of art, now as a pattern design it has a function, and a purpose, and putting them in a context made the creative process and the result so much more gratifying.”
Can you walk us through your creative process?
“I often draw my initial ideas in my notebook, I do this quick and simple by hand. Later I revisit my sketch book and browse through it to find inspiration and ideas for my next creations. This creative process lets me have creative freedom without the pressure to create my next masterpiece when I sit down and illustrate.”
What are some of the biggest challenges you face when creating new patterns, especially for industries like fabric or wallpaper?
“When designing for a client it’s important that I know the way the product is going to be manufactured before I start creating. Depending on the end product the repeat size differs. The way the product is going to be manufactured is also an important aspect to consider. If a pattern is screen printed you need to know how many colours the client is willing to pay for, more colours equals a higher production cost, whereas if the product is digitally printed the number of colours is unlimited.”
What has been one of your favourite collaborations in the past?
“My wallpaper for Rebel Walls, was such a fun experience, to see my illustrations and patterns on such a large scale in people’s homes was a thrill to see. My upcoming fabric collection for Moda Fabrics has also been a great collaboration, working with the people from Moda Fabrics has been such a welcoming and lovely experience.”
What advice would you give to someone just starting out in surface pattern design?
“I would say practice, practice, practice. Try and improve your drawing skills, and your eye for colour, but also make repeats, making a great repeat is a skill in itself.”
Is there a dream project or collaboration that you haven’t done yet but would love to explore?
“I sometimes miss my time working as an in-house print designer for fashion brands, and I would love to revisit that industry as a freelance designer and make more patterns for clothing in the future. As someone obsessed with sketchbooks and stationary products it would be so much fun to see my patterns on journals and notebooks. In general, I want to do more client work, I love the challenge of creating something for the client’s specific needs and the target group. Working with guidelines and briefs sparks my creativity in the best way possible.”
