Meet The Designers - Foggish

It’s nearly International Women’s Day, so Scribbler are celebrating by meeting our fabulous female designers that create some of our most memorable cards. This time, we’ll be interviewing Niomi, from Foggish! Known for their bright colours and bold designs, Foggish is one of Scribbler’s most unique and newest card range.

Hi Niomi, thank you for taking the time to have a chat. We love your designs, they're so bold and brilliant! Where do you get your inspiration?

Most start with an occasion like Valentine's Day and, I think about the kind of card I would give and it goes from there. The rest of the time it's inspired by events in mine or my friend’s life, and of course binge-watching Netflix.

Most of my cards are inspired from conversations I hear around me, the late-night bus home, friends divorcing, girls putting the world to rights in toilet cubicles, pretty much any scenario where a real discussion takes place.

Do you have to do anything special to get your creative juices going?

Half a bottle of rum, two shots of tequila and a male sacrifice usually work. No, I'm kidding, kind of, I find binge watching TV and just generally eavesdropping and participating in conversations around me enough to get going.

What is your process of creating an illustration? Do you draw a quick sketch and then the main image, or draw everything in one sitting?

When I get an idea into my mind, I need to get it all down and work on it before I forget so I tend to draw everything in one setting. Sometimes it takes hours and other times it's 20 minutes.

How long have you been designing cards?

I think officially with intent for about two or three years but in reality, for over eight years. I started by drawing on post it notes with quirky messages and illustrations for loved ones and then I began making personalised Valentine's cards. Eventually friends and work colleagues saw me doing this and encouraged me to pursue it and see where it leads.

What paths did you take to become a card designer?

Honestly, I'm not sure I really did, I applied for a competition to exhibit at the London stationery show and I’ve just been running along ever since.

You have a wide range of styles; do you have a favourite?

A lot of people prefer the celebrity/pop culture ones but I think I prefer the cards I have where it's a mix of typography as well as illustrations, for example I have a card that says 'thanks for doing that thing with your tongue' In fact I think that might be one of my favourites, and a bestseller too so I guess I'm not the only one.

Because we’re celebrating international women’s day, are there any women who have inspired you in your work?

There's been many women I find inspirational, from family members to celebrities. I’ve always had a soft spot for Alanis Morrissette, Dolly Parton and my nan, women who go for what they want and are unapologetically themselves. I’m also inspired (and quite in love) with Caitlin Moran, Jen Gotch and Ellen DeGeneres.

What piece of advice would you give to other women who want to become a designer?

Not everyone is going to get you or your humour and that's OK, if this is your dream then keep going and stand up for yourself.

Thank you so much for chatting with me, Niomi. It's been a pleasure! You can take a look a Foggish's fabulous range right here. We can guarantee you've not seen anything like it!