WHO ARE YOU?

Jill Kirkham and my company is Jill Kirkham Textiles.

WHAT DOES YOUR BUSINESS DO?

I specialise in the production of bespoke screen printed design for soft furnishings, wall coverings, homewares and bespoke textiles.

WHERE ARE YOU BASED?

I am part of the business incubator in Clyde College.

It has made a huge difference to my business as I have access to the facilities and am working alongside other creative people.

HOW DID YOU GET STARTED?

I started printing at home but it soon took over my flat. It was not practical.

WHAT IS YOUR BACKGROUND?

After completing an HND at Cardonad Collage in textiles I then went to Herriot-Watt University in the Scottish Borders where I gained a Bachelor of Arts in Textile Design, 1st class Honours, and was awarded the Dr Oliver Medal for best overall final-year design student.

WHAT IS YOUR TOP TIP?

Go for it. I've learned a lot from things going wrong.

HOW LONG HAS YOUR BUSINESS BEEN RUNNING?

About a year-and-a half.

HAS ANYONE HELPED YOU GET STARTED AND HOW?

The Prince's Trust has been so helpful.

WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST DEAL?

My friends and family have been great buying things from me, however my first big deal was when a lady bought one cushion at a fair and phoned me two days later to order 10! That was exciting.

WHAT WAS YOUR BIGGEST MISTAKE/OR WHAT WOULD YOU DO DIFFERENTLY?

I would move my studio from my flat to the Incubator sooner.

WHO WAS/IS YOUR MENTOR/OR

INSPIRATION?

I am interested in the minimalism and functionality of Scandinavian designers such as Maija and Kristina Isola, whose designs for Marimekko are simple yet highly decorative.

They use simple images to make bold repeats and the use of bright colours adds to the effect.

I am also interested in the work of fine artists such as Jim Lambie and Richard Wright, who both use repeat pattern and strong colour in their work.

WHERE DO YOU PLAN YOUR BUSINESS TO BE IN FIVE YEARS' TIME?

I would like to have my own printing studio and to have Jill Kirkham Textiles as an established design brand.

Useful contacts

Prince's Trust

Clyde College

Cultural Enterprise

Jillkirkham.co.uk

jill@jillkirkham.co.uk