Lucy King launches melamine plate range
an english born, australian based illustrator who has designed for the likes of wedgwood, marks & spencer, freedom and target has released her own collection of melamine plates.
lucy king’s products, under the brand lucy king design, were inspired by vintage tea cups, 1970s tin canisters and watercolour flower illustrations.
king says she decided to develop her own pieces for the chance to use her own personal style.
“whilst i love working with a range of different clients and product ranges, this has always involved working to someone else’s brief,” she explains.
“i have always wanted to develop my own range of products, allowing me to focus on my individual style of illustrations and designs, and not be constrained by designing for mass-market appeal.”
plates are king’s product of choice because they act as a blank canvas on which to display her artwork, while melamine was chosen for cost effectiveness.
“deciding to develop a range of melamine plates has not only been more viable to produce on my own, but has also allowed greater flexibility and freedom with the designs.
“with melamine plates being mainly used for casual outdoor dining and entertaining, this allows for fun and informal designs, bold use of pattern and colour as well as a casual approach to mixing and matching different designs together.”
customers have given the plates, which have been available since june, a positive response and it’s likely king will increase the range.“i’d like to add a children’s range to the collection as well as increasing the designs available to the current range. i’ve also explored the possibility of doing one-off designs using old maps and vintage wallpaper swatches. i’d also love to introduce other related products such as bowls and beakers or textile products such as tea towels and napkins,” she says.
despite her success with her own products king continues to design for other companies and loves balancing her own line with creating for others.
“i’m still working as a freelance designer, designing for tableware, textiles and interior homewares products. i really enjoy being able to combine working as a commercial designer on their set briefs and having the freedom of my own personal range and label to develop at the same time.”
