Cover: Kaunis Kauris pattern by Teresa Moorhouse
Graphic designer Teresa Moorhouse has designed printed fabric patterns for Marimekko since 2004. Her patterns appear in Marimekko’s interior decoration collection as well as in bags and garments.
Teresa Moorhouse, where do you get your ideas for your fabrics?
The ideas come from important emotional states and moments, such as memories of childhood summers. I’m also easily inspired by music, nature, animals, photographs, films and art.
What’s it like to design?
Designing is continuous work involving a great deal of generating ideas, selection, adaptation, reworking… And if you’re lucky, there will be a fabric print waiting for you at the end. Although I use different techniques, I mostly draw. I’ve always drawn a lot.
How do you get into the right mood to draw? My favourite place to design is my own living-room. I put on some good
music, make green tea, sit down at a round table designed by Eero Saarinen and look out of the window over the roofs of Helsinki.
How would you describe your style as a designer?
Graphic, spacious and fresh.
What is the most important quality of a designer?
I think the essential thing is the ability to maintain sensitivity and renewal.
Could you mention some of your examples or models?
They would include Issey Miyake, Ross Lovegrove, Jan Hietala and Paolo Roversi.
What’s the best thing about your work?
The moment when I see the finished print for the first time, after all the hard and long work. Also, it is great when you succeed in passing on experiences to other people through your patterns.
