Kate Usher
Designer/Maker
I graduated in 2009 with a first class degree in Textiles and Surface Design at Cleveland College of Art and Design. I was then selected as a successful applicant of the Starter for Ten Scheme initiated by Wayne Hemmingway and piloted by Gateshead Council, which awarded myself and around ten other creative businesses with rent and rate free workspace for the first two years of practice. Based in the former BedShed building on Gateshead high-street which we re-branded as The Shed, I began building my own textile and wallpaper brand, focusing on high end interiors for children.
In 2009 I was selected by my college to present my work at New Designers in London. The following year I made a successful application to New Designers One Year On and showed independently as a new business in July 2010.
In July 2010 I was commissioned by Cramlington Learning Village in Northumberland to create a bespoke fabric design for the school hall curtains and wall art installation for a central corridor.
Later that year I also showed my wallpapers at 100%Design within the Design Event North East stand. I have worked on various freelance projects for well-known high-street and supermarket retailers, creating textile and surface prints for home and lifestyle products.
I have also begun to license my prints out to other manufacturers such as the Japanese accessory company, Sonore de Toot who have used my designs on handbags and purses.
I am a member of the forecasting panel for the ICA (International Colour Authority) in London and have worked on interior colour forecasts with them for the past few seasons.
Q&A's
Describe your creative practice in 20 single words.
Hand-drawn, illustrative, Tasteful, Playful, Unique, Patterned, Nostalgic, Bespoke, Luxury, Stimulating, Fun, Alternative, Colourful,
Innovative,Whimsical, Crystalized, mixed media, naïve, vintage, inspiring,varied.
Describe your influences using 30 single words or short phrases.
My Children.
Childhood Fantasies. Animals birds and sealife. Childrens picture books. Scenes from the past. Celebrations and Carnivals. Mid-century Design. Art Deco Pattern. Hennie Haworth. Tribal decoration.Travel and holidays. Vintage Textiles. Marie Antoinette.African Textiles. Paris.
Journeys and discovery. Fears and phobias. Snorkelling. Youth Culture. Trend Bible. The Coolhunter. Nature and wildlife. Technology. Satellite Images and maps. Language and Poetry. Life!