Work placement – Olivia

I am a third-year textiles design student at the University of Leeds specialising in print design, currently on my work placement with West Yorkshire Print Workshop. The past four months with WYPW have been wonderful, with amazingly encouraging colleagues who have given me a greater understanding of a variety of print techniques. In the workshop I have spent my time developing and incorporating these techniques into print design.

I have particularly loved the process of repeat pattern using the method of screen printing. The idea of screen printing onto textiles is something I had never envisioned before, but it is such a great way to create block repeat prints. 

During my time with the WYPW, I have taken part in the woodblock printed textiles course with the lovely print designer and tutor Aidan Liggins, which was a great way to enhance and develop my skills of repeat pattern onto textiles using a more traditional method, of carving a wood block. Additionally, I have designed four machine and hand embellished apron designs, all of which have been inspired by natural forms in the WYPW garden, all these flowers and plants are used in natural dyeing, here at the workshop.

It has been great helping at the Unit 2 ‘Print Haus’ which is WYPW’s community space in Huddersfield. Teaching children and print beginners about printmaking. I found it very rewarding being able to introduce print to young minds.

I am excited to create new ranges of textile products using the technique of screen printing during the remainder of my time with WYPW. This is something I hope to continue exploring in my final year at university.

You can find my range of printed tea towel designs in the WYPW gallery shop! Follow me on instagram @olivi.artextiles to see more of my work.