Introducing a new series where I open the doors to the world of FRARLIBETH. Learn about the creatives I work with, my own personal journey, design development and styling mood boards. 

In this week’s posts, I spoke to print designer Harriet Ruscoe. I worked with Harriet in 2023 to develop a custom floral print for the FRARLIBETH SS23 collection and later repurposed the print for Spring 2024! Find out what prints Harriet loves to create and how she got started in the industry:

HOW DID YOU GET INTO PRINT DESIGN? 

From a young age I have always loved art, painting & fashion and textile design was a great way of combining all three. I studied Textile Design at university and stayed to complete a Masters in Textile Innovation and Branding. Studying design, innovation & sustainability, branding, marketing and advertising was great to test out what I felt most passionate about, but I knew after my MA year that I wanted to work as a designer. I then interned with two small ready-to-wear brands and met some amazing graphic designers working in fashion and learnt so much about production and designing a collection from start to finish. I then worked in house as a graphic and print designer with a supplier and then a retailer, working within various product categories. Before going it alone as a freelance print designer, now working with boutique brands in fashion & home.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE KIND OF PRINT TO CREATE? ARE THERE CERTAIN PATTERNS OR COLOURS YOU LOVE MOST?

I love to hand paint all my prints, from geometrics and stripes to ditsy and oversized florals. Seeing the brushstrokes, texture of the paint or details within the elements brings an organic feel and bespoke touch to a design. I’m always drawn to designing florals but I think my favourite style to design is a vintage floral stripe, there’s a never ending amount of options in layout and ways in which to paint stripe and floral elements. Colour wise I’m always happiest when I get to pop in a shade of pink to a design.

Floral print created by Harriet Rusoce for FRARLIBETH 

WHERE DO YOU GET YOUR INSPIRATION FROM? 

I collect lots of magazines and art, fashion & design books. So the bookshelf (or bookshop!) is usually my first stop in gaining new inspiration but fresh ideas really come from being out and about. Whether it’s an exhibition, a walk around the grounds of a beautiful old house, a trip to the coast or travels abroad. Inspiration can come from anywhere and everywhere, I actually have a series on my blog called ‘Inspiration Everywhere’ where I explore this a bit more. Gathering inspiration and researching is such an enjoyable part of the design process for me.

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO AN ASPIRING PRINT DESIGNER? 

Work with as many different creative people as possible, ask questions and be willing to learn. I’ve always worked with small brands & start-ups, which I think has been key in gaining an understanding of how a collection is built, how to work effectively with other departments and in developing my design style and technical skills.

 

If you loved this interview, make sure to follow Harriet's inspiring work on Instagram: @harrietruscoe