Women Who Project is a new interview series highlighting women of color we admire and who inspire us in art and design. Interviews are conducted by guest author, educator, and artist Tanekeya Word.
Born and based in London, UK, Nikki Farquharson is equal parts feminist and video gamer, digital and analog artist. Having specialized in graphic design, and earning a degree in 2008, she chose to focus on hand drawn patterned illustrations and typography. Her attention to detail is extraordinary and shows the magic of what can be achieved with rudimentary tools and skilled hands. Nikki has a list of notable clients Adidas, MAC Cosmetics, Malibu Rum, Benefit Cosmetics and Fujifilm.
Tell us the backstory, of how you arrived at creating a bespoke greeting card line?
For years I've been illustrating patterns to be applied to products for other people and clients. At the start of 2016, I decided to focus wholly on creating artwork for products for my own online store. Not just art prints which I already have experience in, but useable items such as stationery, colouring books and head wraps. All of these products (and more) are currently in the making, but I recently decided to prioritise greeting cards in order to bring these to my shop first.
How has this project brought you closer to becoming you?
There is so much liberation in being in absolute full control of what you create. I believe I have a distinct style, especially within a space where so much popular artwork within the industry is produced digitally, but it can still become diluted if it is heavily art-directed by the client. I've done lots of self-initiated projects in the past, but this is the first time I'm really taking it seriously and on a much larger scale. I really want to create a brand and business from the art that I have created from scratch with no dictation from others. There is such a freedom in that. Read more...
