Artist Interviews #2 - Perkins & Morley

British wildlife and nature inspired product designs

In this interview, I’m delighted to introduce you to Jan and Jill from Perkins & Morley. I first met these two inspirational ladies at my very first trade show 10 years ago, and we’ve remained friends ever since. In fact, you’ll see Jan again later in the year when she comes back to talk about her fine art practice. In the meantime, here is Jan talking about her other business and sharing some of her insights with us.

1. Can you give us a brief introduction to yourself and your work, including your primary art form and the length of time you’ve been creating?

Hello, my name is Jan Morley and together with Jill Perkins we are known as Perkins & Morley.

We met when we were both graphic design students in London.

We have been designing together for nearly 40 years. We initially worked for a Sri Lankan toy company before branching out to design tableware for other brands.

We officially launched our brand in 2010, when we began designing and publishing our greeting card ranges (Collective Nouns and Animal Ink). Their success led to the major development of these bestselling ranges and the chance to explore further collections.

Working with UK-based craftspeople and businesses, we create original and unusual products that are then sold to small retailers (mainly high-street shops) through our own online portal or exported to the USA.

2. Have particular artists, movements, or cultures influenced your work?

I find that starting my art college days just as the Punk scene started has had a lasting effect on me; that ‘just put it out there yourself’ ethos really made me into who I am as a business person and designer.

3. How would you describe your artistic style and the themes that most inspire your work?

The British countryside and nature inspire most of our designs.
Our business is really an extension of ourselves and our love of the countryside, our joy in creating art, and our passion for having everything British-made and working with talented UK manufacturers.
We love animals, nature, and where we live. It is our mission to help you have a connection to nature by designing and making products that fill your life and home with nature-inspired gifts and homewares.

4. Can you describe a typical day when you are working?

Before 9 am, I send any new orders to the warehouse so they can pack and send them.
I send any cushion orders to our cushion makers and also any doormat orders to our mat makers.
I have my own system for updating stock levels, especially the coasters, keyrings, and magnets, so I manually reduce the number of those with each order. The website does it with every order, but I like to have a drive spreadsheet to see which products are getting low and then easily place an order for more stock. I am thinking of looking into a stock app, but I just find this easier.
Then, I consult my list of to-do's which usually has some or all of the following;
I order new stock, review my marketing, design new ranges, and produce new artwork. If Jill creates new artwork, I scan it, start preparing it for potential products, and save it in Photoshop.

And repeat…

5. Can you describe your physical workspace or studio environment and how it influences your creative process?

I have to admit that my physical workspace is a bit of a mess, but I always know where everything is. I have always been like this, and I don't suppose I will change now. It's creative chaos!

6. Can you walk us through your typical creative process, from idea to finished piece?

One of us will have an idea for an image and draw it out in rough. Then, we will decide whether it can be extended into a range.

This is one of the hardest parts of the process. While it often works for one image, repeating the idea across six or twelve greeting card designs can be challenging. You do need six or more designs to make a collection.
Once we decide to proceed, the artwork begins, and creating a collection of six or more designs can take a while.

• When ready, the images are scanned and cleaned up, and a background is added if necessary.

• If the range is wordy, wording is added, and a barcode is generated and added to the back.

• The range title is added in a suitable font, and the layout is designed. Then, it is sent to the printer for printing.

If the design is going to be rolled out onto other products, the artwork can usually be reused from the original card design but may need elongating ( lampshades for instance, or tea towels). I love doing all this, although doing barcodes can be monotonous.
With some products, tea towels or brooches, we have to work out the best way to add the information and barcodes - which way is cost-effective, how much can we sell it for, and is there enough margin to make a profit, especially for when we are selling to trade.

7. How do you balance the demands of creating art with daily life and responsibilities?

It is a constant juggle; I have learned not to cram too much into a day and to think,

"When it is ready, it is clearly the right time."

It is so easy to think that everything has to be done immediately and the world wants new products. I have learned the world doesn't really like getting lots of new designs and that a good design can last years - we have been selling the Collective Noun range for 15 years!
It is good to try and switch off but I must admit I am always thinking of new ideas....

Collective Nouns Teatowel

8. What’s next for you, are there any new projects on the horizon?

I have been very surprised and delighted by how well the new doormats have been received, so I am thinking of extending the existing range and designing a new one.

I am also thinking about designing a new sea-life collection of collective nouns. I’ve just designed and added a new Seed Head cushion in the latest colourway: denim blue!
One thing I am keen on looking at is how I can incorporate more of my paintings into products, too; they are already on cushions and lampshades.....

Perkins and Morley - Doormats and Cushions

Perkins & Morley - Lampshades

You can also find and follow more Perkins & Morley loveliness on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest

Next, I have the fabulous Sandra Jordan, a fine-art photographer. I also have a couple of extra spots for artist interviews later this year. If you know of an artist you’d like to learn more about or if you’re an artist yourself and would like to be featured, please send me a message.

Lastly, if you’d like to join me and a group of friendly fellow artists for an hour of ‘Shop Talk’ once a month, please consider upgrading to paid, for access to this and my deeper-dive creative business posts.