As far as I am concerned, digital glitch is a very much under-explored area of creative inspiration. I love it! There’s something about those smooth colours and clean yet somehow wonky edges that is very seductive. Husband and wife team Sarah Parris and Howard Wakefield, of Parris Wakefield Additions are wallowing in its possibilities with their fabulous surface designs on a range of cushions, fabrics, rugs and wallpapers.
parris wakefield – bliss2
Currently based in Suffolk, both have backgrounds in graphic design, and they first met in 2000. Sarah joined Howard’s studio in 2001 as Studio Manager, but then gradually become more and more involved in creating the graphic images; “They developed into a personal creative outlet for us and we would release them as free desktop wallpapers – which became very popular and we were asked on numerous occasions to do something more with the images so we tested them on fabrics and could instantly see the potential.”
parris wakefield – bliss3
Describing themselves as “huge lovers of colour”, they take their inspiration from just about everything around them – nature, art, fashion, the street. And they are proud that all their products are manufactured in Britain.
Other influences include Jim Lambie, Katarina Grosse and Dan Flavin for their use of colour, as well as David Hockney and Gerhard Richter. These last two very famous artists are major influencers on their designs, for their incorporation of digital technology into their work. For Parris Wakefield, “The combination of design craft and technology is exciting.”
parris wakefield – destiny – set
parris wakefield – destiny3
Despite previously working with such prestigious clients as Dior, EMI, Givenchy, Pringle of Scotland, New Order, Pulp and Suede, when it came to sharing their surface designs at design trade show Tent in London, Parris said it was “quite nerve-wracking; self doubt creeps in and visions of nobody stopping at our stand filled my head.” But there was nothing to fear. “Seeing people stop and smile and enjoy our designs is the ultimate icing on the cake… with a cherry on top!” And for Wakefield, being approached by an establishment such as SCP to stock their cushions is a thrill. “I have always admired their pioneering attitude and their endorsement is for me, quite phenomenal.”
parris wakefield – field – large lampshade
parris wakefield – marthe2
Lastly, I asked Parris Wakefield for their favourite piece of advice, and they gave me this.
“Never assume something will get done and everything takes longer than you expect.” – Esme Lynch.
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You can find more of their wonderful work on their website, parriswakefieldadditions.com. You can also follow them on Pinterest, their Blog, Twitter, and Facebook.
how gorgeous – I love their use of colour