I had chance to pose a few questions to our latest banner designer, Charlotte Overton of Itchy Palm, here’s what she had to say:
Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?
I graduated in 2011 with a 2:1 in Graphic Design. I’m known for my enthusiastic ambition to succeed as well as having a natural knack for design. I am a doodler, pub goer and all round mentalist with a love for all things hand made.
Where did the name ItchyPalm come from?
My love of process. If you scratch an itch it becomes more itchy so you scratch it some more and it becomes more itchy, its a cycle you can’t escape. For me this idea of process is how I work, how I produce designs/illustrations and concepts. So ‘Itchy’ came from that, then when I think of having itchy palms, to me it represents my inability to sit still and do nothing. So together ItchyPalm represents my process as a Designer/Illustrator and Artist.
Do you believe that itchy palms are a sign that money is coming?
Sort of, but that’s not the main reason I’m called ItchyPalm. I do believe that it could mean money in, but I also believe that if the other palm is itchy then it means you will be paying money out. So again this represents my ethos of process.
Which other Leeds creatives, designers and illustrators inspire you?
This is going to be really cheesy, but being a member of @Inc_workshop (used to be Factory4) I have got to know other creatives in a similar position to me and the untainted talent is really inspiring. People that get excited about what they do inspires me, the ambition and the fact that people are creating designed pieces for themselves and not to make money is inspiring because money always has an impact on what you create.
You attend a lot of creative events and seminars, who would be your ideal speaker?
That’s a hard one, but I think it would have to be Alan Fletcher (You did say ideal). I just love his work and his style. I’m sure that he would have some interesting views and opinions on the state of todays creative industry.
You’ve started creating your own t-shirts, what made you move over into clothing?
Its an itch that I have just started scratching but its really addictive. I create designs constantly, based on quotes of friends, family and sometimes films and lyrics. I have been printing smaller prints for a while and the need to print bigger, better and with more colour is growing. All I can say is that my range is increasing all the time and I look forward to visiting retailers. If you want to check out my latest hand printed products I have a stall on Albion Street on the 28th July – come and say hello.
If you were looking after a Culture Vulture reader for the day and were showcasing the North to them, where would you take them?
Wow, responsibility. I would probably be a little selfish and take them to all my favourite places to go when I have time on my hands. Places like Leeds Gallery, TestSpace, Off the Wall and The Traveling Man comic book shop because they always have great Illustrations on sale.
Charlotte tweets as @thisisitchypalm
For more information about Charlotte and ItchyPalm head over to www.itchypalm.co.uk