Beverly Hopwood was head of print design for George (Wallmart UK) for along time, before creating a life of freelance designing from her beautiful home studio. Bev designs directly with the retailer rather than selling her own work through online shop’s or agents. Bev’s designs range across homeware, fashion and greetings so her 25 years experience is invaluable.

Her designs can be found in Waitrose, Marks & Spencer’s, Tesco’s, George, Sainsbury’s, Matalan, Peacocks, lilly & Sid, Card Factory, Hallmark, Paperchase. 

So here are Bev’s takeaways -

1. Appreciate the beauty around you in where you are right now.

2.Have an ‘It will be alright attitude!’ this might need practice for some of us so keep trying. 

3.Don’t let on to clients you don’t know how to do the thing, you learn as you go. That’s not fake it tell you make it. It’s confidence! And a can do attitude.

4. Be proactive and consistent, Send a newsletter out to studios, and customers

5.End product is surplus to some extent so, concentrate on your ranges, and looks rather than the end product. Scale and colour tweaks can be made later. Illustrations can be put on to anything!

6. Learn to be flexible. It’s a muscle so keep trying!

7. Adapt and set yourself new styles

8. Frankenstein it! I won’t forget that term ha!

9. If you love variety in briefs, then strive to work for different markets, tailor designs for those companies to keep you inspired.

You can find Bev’s stunning work

www.beverleyhopwoodillustration.com

www.instagram.com/beverlyhopwoodillustration