Category Archives: Surface Design

Nijiyura Tenugui

June 26, 2020 12:03 AM \

We like bringing items back from Japan especially tenugui towels.  They are made from thin cotton approximately 14 x 36 inches.  They function as towels but can also be a washcloth, dishcloth, headband, decoration or as a gift wrap. What we love about them are their unique designs.  The items shown above are from the hand towel specialty store, Nijiyura, a brand of Senten Tenugui established to protect craftsmen and traditional culture. 

More of their designs can be viewed on their website, Facebook and Instagram.

Images:  Courtesy of Nijiyura.

Posted in: Japan, Surface Design, Textile \ Tagged: , ,

Masaru Suzuki

June 12, 2020 12:03 AM \

Masaru Suzuki is a respected textile designer who comes from the seaport town of Chiba, Japan. He is best known for his bold, playful compositions inspired by nature, plants and animals.  He graduated from Tama Art University with a BA in Dyeing and Weaving Design.  After working at a few design studios in 1995 he started to expand own business as a textile designer.  In 2005 he started his own fabric line Ottaipnu and in 2010 collaborated with Nordic textile manufacturer, Marimekko.  Currently he has been designing various manufacturers and brands in Japan and overseas.  On design site Kinarino he says this about colors:

“I don’t think “flashy = beautiful color”. There is absolutely no dirty color when viewed by itself, it’s a combination of saving and killing, so I am very conscious of that. Well, personally I like flashy colors, so I’d like to use it if it’s allowed (laughs) Of course I also like black and white beige, and I wear it myself, but I try to use colors that have an impact somewhere. I feel like my thoughts will stop if I use only safe colors.”

The artist can be followed on his website and on his company’s website, Ottaipnu.

Images:  Courtesy of Masaru Suzuki.

Posted in: Japan, Surface Design, Textile \ Tagged: , ,

Tatiana Nedialkova

March 23, 2020 12:03 AM \

Loving these Bulgarian folk tales and Scandinavian-inspired illustrations created by graphic designer and illustrator Tatiana Nedialkova. The artist is based in Brighton, UK and studied at Chelsea College of Art & Design in London.  Her images has been printed onto fabric for kitchen textiles currently sold in her Etsy shop, Softer and Wild.  On the Etsy blog she says this about her process:

“Sometimes I’ll draw my prints by hand, scan them into the computer, and then add more elements; sometimes I draw directly into the software. When I work with shapes, I’ll cut out colorful pieces of cardboard and arrange them on a blank piece of paper, like a collage. I’ll play with different combinations, photograph them, and upload them into the computer. Once I have an illustration I want to work with, I’ll usually print the elements, cut them out, and try to find the right placement for the design on each product. Each surface pattern is made for the specific product it’s going on; I never print rolls of fabric.”

The artist can be followed on Facebook and Instagram.

Images:  Courtesy of Tatiana Nedialkova.

Posted in: Folk Art, Illustration, Scandinavian, Surface Design, Textile \ Tagged: , , , ,
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