Tell us a little bit about your creative background.
I started studying graphic design after I left school but it didn't quite fit, I wanted my work to be more tangible and useful, I also had a real love for raw materials that I wasn't getting to use in such a digitally heavy field. One day I headed a different way to class and serendipitously ended up in the 'Industrial design' department, at the end of the semester I changed courses and I haven't looked back. I started my career designing at ZAKKIA, made the move to Melbourne to work in Country Road Homewares and now am back home in Sydney Managing Design at McMullin & co. On the side I love to get more hands on with my work making ceramics and prototyping things at @authete.studio where I can lean into my own style and be a bit more experimental while I discover what my style is when I am not working for a client.
What is your morning + night ritual? Where does tea fit into your daily rituals?
I love to get up early, just after the sun, to make sure I have lots of calm time with a pot of black tea on the balcony in the morning before I have to start my day. If it's the weekend I'll put some music on, at the moment I am listening to Westerman a lot. If it's a weekday I like getting to work first, early enough to pop the kettle on before I settle into my emails and my to-do list. I'm more of a herbal drinker once the sun goes down, a good pair of socks, a cup of chamomile with honey and a book in bed is my way to wind down before sleep.
This was a real dream project for me because I am such a big tea drinker, there is nothing I love more than having close friends around for a pot of tea, we can chain brew and catch up all day long.
What was your inspiration for your sketches?
The inspiration for the sketches came from mood boards Sara put together, we worked with a colour palette in mind and chose a loose, fun and sketchy style of drawing. I tried to add some little details to the sketches that would help tell a story, like a little flag on the mountain where someone has climbed all the way to the top, a treasure map or a man on the moon waving hello. Some of my favourite books when I was little were Alice in Wonderland, the Wind in the Willows and the Tales of Beatrix Potter so I wanted to add some anthropomorphized characters you could imagine having little adventures.
How do you stay inspired + driven to create?
Inspiration definitely ebbs and flows but it is always good to throw your net wide when you are looking for inspiration. Getting up and away from your desk and going outside is a great way to get a fresh perspective, I equally love picking up a hands-on project like playing with clay or gardening after a lot of time on the computer. I think I also love a bit of problem solving so when my clothes need altering, jewellery needs mending or I just generally need to be handy around the house I love to know how things work and learn new skills so I can look after what I own. Knowing how things come together can be great inspiration for new concepts.
What is the go-to meal you love to cook?
I know these aren't a meal, but who doesn't love a biscuit with their tea!?
Salted Rosemary & Maple ANZAC's
This or that:
Sweet or Savoury
Green Tea or Black Tea
Eat In or Eat Out
Meat or Fish
______________
Follow Hollie over on Instagram.
Check out a new range of teas here.
Add your favourites to cart
Select Afterpay at checkout
Log into or create your Afterpay account, with instant approval decision
Your purchase will be split into 4 payments, payable every 2 weeks
All you need to apply is to have a debit or credit card, to be over 18 years of age, and to be a resident of country offering Afterpay
Late fees and additional eligibility criteria apply. The first payment may be due at the time of purchase
For complete terms visit afterpay.com/terms
