– All-round (graphic) designer – illustrator – author-

of fresh decorative creative projects

Eline: “It always makes me feel very happy when a design falls into place.”

In my work everything revolves around proportions. Balancing and combining colours, shapes, ideas, illustrations and fonts to tell a complete story; this makes me happy and energises me. And when you are having fun designing, others will notice this.

A very individual and unique decorative and fresh style, with unexpected combinations of materials and (vintage handicraft) techniques with an innovative twist. That’s me, that’s what describes my style. Next to this distinctive ‘Eline-style’, I can easily adapt to the ideas and wishes of my clients and create novel designs to their tastes, working on commission.

A ‘creative thinker’ through and through with a great fondness for design, aesthetics, trends, far away folklore, lifestyle, flowers on my allotment, London, biological produce, freedom, surface pattern design, tea breaks, crafts, collections, photography, giving and receiving compliments, harmony, my cat Miep and Thai coconut soup.

 

Work with me

My experience. As a freelance designer (after completing The Fashion Academy, Montaigne/AMFI in Amsterdam) I’ve made designs for many collections of a variety of clients/brands and wholesalers, for more than 25 years. For example I’ve designed and developed lots and lots of craft materials for Marianne Design, I’ve made pattern designs for fabrics for Stenzo Textiles and I have done graphic design for DIY-books and magazines for Kosmos Publishers. Furthermore; postcards and childrens clothes for different brands. In addition I’ve written four DIY-books about my own design line, from which ‘Eline’s Huis’ (‘Stitch and sew home’) became a bestseller. In four years nearly 50.000 books were sold, translated into four languages!

My style. You can define my style as fresh, decorative, well thought through, colourful, happy and foremost creative. I like to combine unexpected materials and techniques and also like to give innovative twists to traditional craft techniques.

My techniques. I work both on the computer and by hand. On the Mac I use Adobe Illustrator and Adobe Photoshop. I collaborate with some DTP-profesionals who will make my graphic designs perfectly suitable for print. At the same time my trusty Nikon D90 camera, my sewingmachine and lots of craftmaterials are always close at hand.

My method of working is as simple as it is effective; I try to project myself into the assignment as well as into my clients ideas. To achieve this, I gather as much information as possible about the underlying concept of the assignment and at the same time try to get a clear image of what the client wants. Followed by brainstorming, scetching and, if necessary, a moodboard. During this process I attempt to create innovative and surprising solutions. The ‘story’ has to fit together and the idea has to be doable. After discussing the worked out plans with the client, I will than finish the work and will deliver clear and nicely executed documents, photographs or handmade projects; within the agreed deadlines.

What I really love about my work:

• to combine colours, pictures, text, patterns and fonts to make graphic designs
• to combine unexpected materials, structures and techniques for handmade projects
• to inspire others to expand their own creativity (with the aid of my books, craft materials and blog)
• to design collections that make sense like a ‘story’ with a distinct beginning and a clear ending
• to create surface pattern designs for fabrics in multiple colourways
• to think out nice innovative details and solutions
• to make drawings of sweet puppets and cute creatures, all with their very own character and in simple lines

Can I do something for you?

Kind words

“All-round creative wonderwoman Eline is a freelance illustrator and designer, as well as creator of her own line of craft materials. When not working on commissions she whips up a variety of fun projects using her materials, which she than shares – along with pictures of her gorgeous home – on her hugely popular blog. Her work has also been collected into three different books. Here at ‘CrossStitcher’ we love her fabulously fresh and girlie style and are big fans of her innovative twist on craft techniques.”
Jessica Bateman, CrossSticher magazine UK

“Eline is a very good listener, with special attention for the person behind the customer. With a few scribbles on paper, she is able to reveal her understanding of the underlying idea of an assignment. Further discussion is never needed in order for her to work out a concept. She is always aware of the new trends and colours in fashion and keeps well up to date. Even with extraordinary inspirational ideas Eline will stay true to her own signature in design.”
Christine Alexandropoulos, owner Hellenic (babylifestyle)