Alex Russell is a fashion/furnishing designer. He came into University and gave a talk giving tips about the industry. He run’s his own business called ‘Creative Services Alex Russell’ and works freelance across Europe. In education Alex achieved a first class degree in BA Hons in Textile Design at Manchester Metropolitan then went on to complete an MA. Since then Alex has lectured at different universities as well as working freelance.
Alex moved to Belgium here he set up his first business, because of the laws in Belgium on setting your own business up, it took 6 months to get things running. In this time he worked on his portfolio, this made him able to show all the designs he could create. One element that came across through the talk was that it’s a lot of hard work and a lot of hours. Regarding the business Alex told us that not a lot of time went into designing, it was more of the running of the business.
Alex works with different media, sometimes he just uses pencil and paper, other he uses acrylic, also he creates designs by using Illustrator and Photoshop. For primary research inspiration instead of looking at what other textile designers are creating he looks at illustrations and graphic designers. There isn’t a specific way Alex gets his ideas down – sometimes it’s in a sketchbook, others it’s on bits of scrap paper quick and whatever is at hand. Once he created a whole collection of work in a car waiting for his friend. He always remembers whom he is designing for and who the audience is.
When producing these designs they are quick a fashion collection, which includes 8-10 designs, takes 2days. Furnishing designs are slightly longer for a collection 8-10 designs 4 days to complete. Also keep to the brief that has been set and do not change it to what suits you. If your really struggling to complete the work for a deadline contact them and tell them do not leave it till the last minute, although this is when it is impossible to complete the work. Different clients have different ways of working, French clients do not care about designs anything is fine. H & M do not accept any guns on their garments. Also numbers are tricky because of the copyright issue. Also do not use the same image in to designs, so if you draw a flower do not use it for two collections. Alex stressed to us that to never mess with copyright; it will damage your reputation.
The top tips that Alex gave the group:
- Never mess with copyright
- Look outside fashion and textiles e.g. Fine art and graphics.
- Your space you work in, think about how you want everything to work best for you. Studio spaces are not too expensive.
- Hit deadlines and complete the brief. If struggling tell the company you can’t complete before the deadline.
- Hard work.
- Be excited about your work.
- Make-work as good as you can.
The talk Alex gave the group was intriguing, it was a real eye opener he told us the truth and gave us valuable tips about the industry and having your own business. His designs are extraordinary and quite different which is good so your work can appeal to different clients. It was a refreshing talk, even though it is hard work and long hours it’s worth it if you are motivated and love what you are producing.
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