Heather Dutton originally studied fashion design at art school, it was here that she first had her eyes opened to the wonderful world of textiles and surface design. After working in the fashion industry for several years, she finally took a brave leap out on her own and started Hang Tight Studio. She says “It’s been an amazing ride so far & I feel lucky
every day I wake up… realizing I get to draw & create.”

I first came across Heather’s designs via Spoonflower, and was struck by their clarity and fresh, cool palette.  She states “I’m a surface designer with a serious love for pattern, fabric and the color green!” But it’s not just any green – her tendency is to green, tempered with muted yellow, and balanced with teal and soft coral pink.

into orbit

Several of her designs have a mid-century flavour to them, and remind me of dress fabrics and linoleum patterns from that era. However, her choice of designs also extends to whimsical animals, as well as some sweet little ditsies.

crazy daisy

 

skipping stones

 

twiggy (teal)

 

Despite several discrete groupings of designs – geometric, ditsy, and whimsical, the constants that tie her work together are her colour palette and the clarity of forms. Flat colours and clear shapes give no illusions of depth. These are very much surface designs – nothing painterly here. Having said that, she still manages to achieve a beautiful softness with her choice of colours. I think what appeals to me here is that William Morris idea of giving enough structure that the eye does not get confused, but enough detail the eye doesn’t get bored, and I find my eye is drawn equally around and through.

 

berry branch

 

entangled

 

Heather runs her freelance graphic and textile design business out of the small town of Kennebunk in the USA, and provides work to both small and large companies, including multinationals such as Tupperware and Starbucks.

Well done Heather! We wish you all the best.

More of Heather’s work can be found on her website (HangTight Studio), and her fabrics are available through Spoonflower.