Fashion Formula Blog

Bursting with colour and energy, Lotta Lorier’s prints range from inky animal prints to graphic creepy crawlies. We discuss Lotta’s creative process, from initial idea to execution, colour palettes and her grandfather’s influence upon her creativity.

What is your studio name and location?

I work from home surrounded by my (sometimes loud) family of three kids and a husband! My

studio name is the same as my name: Lotta Lorier.

Where did you study (if you did)?

To get to where I am now I invested a lot of time in learning from other designers who share their

skills in the area of design.

Describe your design process

I love the first step in my design process, which is trend research and creating mood boards.

Then I start drawing in the direction of the mood board from reference photos. I always carry my

camera to take photos of flowers, buds, stems and leaves to draw from. After the drawing phase I

digitalise the drawings, clean them up and start working on a repeat in Photoshop. Then I have to

decide on a colour scheme to colour in the design. This is also an exciting part of the design process,

where you actually see the design coming together. Normally I create one or two alternative colour

ways and then the design is finished!

What is your favourite part of the design process?

I would say the second step in the design process: drawing. This is the phase where everything is

possible and you can make magic happen…

Who do you design for? Who is your muse?

I feel very much connected to nature, how intricate everything in nature is designed is a constant

inspiration and I try to pour as much of my love for it into my designs. My ideal clients are sustainable fashion brands, so by working for them I can give a small contribution to preserve our planet; my muse!

What first sparked your interest in print design?

An illustration course I took where one of the assignments was to create a repeat pattern. I knew

this was what I wanted to do and now I live and breathe it.

Describe your style for us in 5 words?

Florals, leaves, abstract, soft colours, brush pen.

What is your favourite medium to work in and why?

At the moment I love working with brush pens and ink!

What / who are your major influences?

I would say my granddad has been a huge inspiration to me. He was very creative, a wood artist. He

could make just about anything out of a piece of wood. My Finnish roots give me my being in sync

with nature.

What has been your career highlight so far?

Seeing my work improve.

Your biggest challenge you have faced as a designer?

Acquisition, which plays an important role being a freelance designer but it is one of the things I like

the least…

Best exhibition/museum/research trip/inspirational place?

I am always very inspired by illustrators and artists that use their surrounding nature in their art like

Nigel Peake and Brian Nash Gill.

What music do you listen to while designing?

Classical music!

What are you working on at the moment?

At the moment I am working on a series of floral fashion prints, I love drawing florals and leaves! I am also in love with the colour trend of the season: camel, clay and nude colours. Can’t stop using those in my designs!

What do you hope to accomplish in the future?

Design fashion prints for sustainable fashion brands and create prints for a few print studios. In a few years I hope to work as an in-house designer at a print studio or have my own sustainable fashion brand!

What advice would you give new designers starting out?

Practice a lot and create your own style!

You can purchase Lotta Lorier prints at her Fashion Formula store!