Photo: Deramores

Laura Muir is a designer, owner and freelancer at KNIT KNOT KNIT. Making the unwearable, wearable. Here she talks about life after the GSA…

When I was a student I couldn’t imagine life after art school. I became so used to being with my friends, the familiarity of the shared studio and my everyday routine. However, six months on and life after art school is extremely busy and fast paced. I find myself juggling many different things at once but this is incredibly fun. I am so happy to have full control over my own creative direction and produce products that are 100% KNIT KNOT KNIT. On 1 November I launched my KNIT KNOT KNIT website with three snoods available to buy. Since then I have been balancing knit orders, designing the website, creating press, organising stockists, freelance work and working a part-time job (to create cash flow – a must!).

Before launching my website I attended workshops with Business Gateway and Cultural Enterprise which has definitely made me more focused on my brand. It has given me an awareness for the different aspects needed to create a successful business.

Before graduating I always thought I would go straight into a company and start a career in design. However I have come to realise that this is often not the reality. I want to be in control of my own creative direction and create my own expectations and goals. Therefore creating my own brand is perfect. I love creating a world that a client can step into and be transported into the sculptural, chunky knit world of KNIT KNOT KNIT. Colour, texture and photography are definitely key elements that I focus on when designing. The end photograph/product gives me a buzz and makes the frantic days worth it.

Laura’s snood was featured on the Instagram and Twitter of personal style blog Thankfifi
Photo: Thankfifi

My aim for the next few months is to work on new cashmere orders and develop my website with a larger range of products. I also want to continue collaborating with bloggers, photographers and other creatives developing and creating exposure for KNIT KNOT KNIT.

I could not think of having a career that I didn’t enjoy. If you are fortunate enough to have the opportunity to have a career in something you enjoy you have to take it.

For more from Laura, see her My Process feature and learn more about her graduate collection.

Comment below or on Twitter using #LifeAfterArtSchool & mentioning @CenSta with your experience after art school.

Stay tuned for updates from art school graduates all this week. In the meantime see a preview of what to expect from the Life After Art School features here.

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Knitting and Knotting with Knit is the core concept/technique for my graduate collection. It is where four knotting structures meet four knitting stitches to create conceptual, sculptural and chunky knitted pieces that collide with everyday wearability. Elements taken from the sculptural garments have been adapted to large snoods and scarfs.

Taking inspiration from Nanna Van Blaaderen, Sandra Backlund and Derek Lawlor, this collection of fabrics explores scale and knotting and knitting techniques by hand, on the standard domestic machine and on the 2.5gg Dubied industrial machine.

The contrast of combining soft merino blend yarns (sponsored by Deramores) with these structural forms create an organic, fluid movement while maintaining a methodical approach. My AuPair experience in Algermissen, Germany and sailing on the east and west coast of Scotland informs the fluid and organic movement that occurs within my pieces. The dark blue hues and teal/turquoise tones from the Scottish ropes and seas have been mixed together to create depth to these knits. A rich burgundy colouring extracted from images taken in Germany have also been used within the collections colour palette.

Laura A. Tiliman was selected to shoot the collection as she has a modern and classic approach to her photography. It has enabled the pieces to show their true form and function.

Having recently returned from New Designers in London, I am confident that KNIT KNOT KNIT has a future. I am currently in the process of developing a website that will allow the customer to see the more elaborate conceptual pieces while being able to purchase more useable/wearable interiors and accessories.

KNIT KNOT KNIT has been created to make the unwearable wearable and for sculptural knit to be worn in everyday life. It also gives the viewer an understanding of the potential and diversity that sculptural knitting has to offer.

The future for KNIT KNOT KNIT is to have the ability to grow into a company. My ambition is to take on large sculptural knit commissions while creating wearable, desirable knitted and knotted fabrics suitable for interiors, and accessories that encase and enhance the human form.

For more of Laura’s work see her website.

More: Website | Twitter

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