Hepworth print fair - chat with Laura Slater.

Laura Slater is a freelance textile designer and printmaker, based in Wakefield but she also teaches part-time on the printed textile course here. Have been a big fan of her work for a while now but been really nervous to go and have a chat with her about her practice in uni so the print fair was a brilliant opportunity to do this. Having pre-researched who was attending the fair I found that it was mainly freelance printmakers so the key thing that I wanted to find out was how they managed post-degree, specifically how they print without the resources of a facility in which to do this.
Don't know why I was so scared to talk to Laura because she was lovely. I asked her first about how she got started up? Printing facilities? she said that she went form her degree to a master. It was a good experience but she wished she of had a break in-between. But mainly used print studios that had drop-in facilities available. She recommended a few in Wakefield but also in Leeds, so the Leeds print workshop and West Yorkshire print workshop.  Next, I asked how she managed in the early stages of freelance? she said through attending print fairs, you meet other people and people get to see your work so it a proactive way of self-promotion and networking. Networking event too. We next had a quick chat about social media and how significant is this in getting commisions. Laura said it was really important as through Pinterest John Lewis saw her work and formed a collaboration on a collection. She then went into more detail about working for a massive company like john lewis. I asked whether it was harder compared to working with smaller brands. She said that John Lewis where actually really good and that it was a collaboration more a commision. She would design some sample prints, then go for a meeting with a design team and they would all decide which design would fit which garment etc. I also quickly asked her about studio space and she said that there were quite a few places in Leeds which would be good. East street arts and Lady beck. She then expanded on print fairs and said there were loads in York, Leeds and Sheffield. She also emphasised that doing smaller exhibitions helps with larger ones. The final question I asked was what would be one piece of advice you would give to a new graduate, KEEP MAKING WORK!