DESIGNER Q+A MEET KIRATH GHUNDOO - THE QUEEN OF GEOMETRIC WALLCOVERINGS

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3 May

Written By Debbie Mckeegan

KIRATH GHUNDOO - GEOMETRIC WALLCOVERINGS - TEXINTEL.png — “I’m planning on pushing the art side of my business internationally over the next two years and carry on creating work that makes me happy. That’s the beauty of having your own personal brand where you can create authentic work that doesn’t follow the trend.” - KIRATH GHUNDOO

Meet Kirath Ghundoo, and her designer brand. There’s an art to creating the perfect geometric and Kirath’s beautiful patterns have won international acclaim.

Since starting her brand in 2011 KIrath has utilised the benefits of digital technologies to explore her own creativity, to push and conquer existing boundaries and successfully manufacture her iconic wallcovering patterns. With a thriving business, she continues to expand into new product groups whilst doing what she loves most - being creative…

When did you choose a creative career and why?

I’ve always naturally been creative since being a child. I followed what I enjoyed as I knew I’d do well at something I had a passion for. I studied Art at A-level, a foundation art course, then went onto complete a degree in Printed Textiles and Surface Pattern at Leeds College of Art.

Where did you study and did you have good access to digital technologies?

Degree - Leeds College of Art (BA Printed Textiles and Surface Pattern Design)
MA - Huddersfield University (MA Textiles)
Yes both places had excellent access to digital technologies however I was always experimenting with the two, digital and handcraft - that's where it was exciting exploring the process as a young designer.

Tell us how, when and why you decided to go it alone and build your designer brand?

I set up my brand in 2011 after using the year on my Masters to build it. I’m dead set on my own ideas, style and aesthetic and didn’t want to go and build someone else's dream by working for a print studio. So I worked my arse off and built this amazing space I call home, it’s a place where I can express the world around me. I exhibited my first wallpaper collection at 100% Design, London in 2011 and the rest is history. August 2021 marks my 10 year anniversary!

Define your style and how you create your designs?

I guess I have the structured geometric bright side which is digital, very organised in the way I work. I have introduced my original abstract paintings from last year and these work in the opposite way, the composition builds spontaneously and it’s a very free way of working. The way the paintings develop are reflected by my mood, but the one thing all my work has in common is my insane love for colour and pattern.

How have digital technologies enabled you success and creativity?

Working digitally has helped me commercialise my business and work faster. When working on bespoke projects I can offer clients a range of different colour ways and substrates for printing onto. I love photography and many of my collections are inspired by places I've travelled to. I use photoshop to select all my colour palettes to work with.

What’s your favourite print media and why?

Working on wide width mural style wallpapers especially when designing a bespoke wallpaper for a commercial space. If it's a non-repeating wallpaper design, most of the time for large commercial jobs it is, there's less wastage as more of the pattern is utilised making it more sustainable. My wallpapers are printed on FSC paper with eco friendly inks.

If you could print onto anything what would that be?

I’d love to wrap a car - so would that be vinyl. I think that would be epic.

What’s your favourite project and why?

I’ve done a number of projects over the years. Digitally it would have to be the salon walls I designed for Wax Revolution in Mexico. It was a fun project where I was given creative freedom to fill five giant walls with patterned vinyl. Now I would have to say my favourite projects have been creating original artworks for clients. I painted so much as a child and introducing this side of my business has unleashed another exciting strand to my creativity.

How do you plan to expand your designer brand?

I’m planning on pushing the art side of my business internationally over the next two years and carry on creating work that makes me happy. That’s the beauty of having your own personal brand where you can create authentic work that doesn’t follow the trend. I’ve just signed my first gallery representation in London which was a major goal of mine from the beginning of lockdown last year. This year I’ve just launched my new ‘KG Maximalist 21’ wallpaper collection which is a celebration of my 10 year anniversary.

Finally – How can the print Industry make the process easier for the emerging creative?

Nothing comes easy and I think if you are an emerging creative you’ve got to do your research on the possibilities of what is out there. Test different printers, suppliers which can be expensive, I spent a fortune finding the right supplier. It was worth it and I've been working with the same printer for the last 10 years and they are amazing, especially when it comes to bespoke jobs and the ins and outs of colour testing and quality.

In terms of the print industry making it easier for emerging creatives, I’ve already seen a boom in online companies offering printing onto all sorts of substrates. I suppose being current and ‘cool’ on social media is always a winner in attracting the next generation of emerging creatives. Also offering innovative printing solutions.