Our last Designer of the Month feature in 2015 is a first for a woman. The brilliant creations of French designer Agnès Debuire aka Mademoiselle Potiron enrich our world with sweet designs and patterns created for kids and those who love cute animals. Find out how the passionate DIY artist and mother juggles with life, creativity and maternal duties.
Hello Agnes! First of all a big thank you for agreeing to answer our questions for our Designer of the Month section. What inspired you to create printable designs on clothing and accessories?
I was on parental leave, but I wanted to continue to have a business, and if possible keep being creative. Although I have not always worked in graphic design, it has always been my passion. During this period, I was able to take the time to do what I liked.
What’s with all the baby suits, pregnancy bands, bibs – do you create your gear just for kids and mothers?
Like I said, I was on parental leave, and when my daughter was born, I just delved into this universe. I was never really a fan of all the “I am a princess” or “tough like daddy” designs, so I created things I’d love to see my daughter wear.
By the way, where are you from? And what do you do next to your graphics?
I come from everywhere and nowhere: Paris – Normandy – Germany – and soon La Rochelle Tours. I am practically from all over the place with regard to the places I visit online and what I do. I am a mother, a blogger, a DIY tinkerer, a graphic designer. I like doing things with my own hands. And while waiting for THE JOB in graphics (please take note!), I just work from home. I mostly get on fine with myself and my cats.
Your designs include a lot of simple geometric shapes, animals, flowers, many colours or references to the world of children such as Little Red Riding Hood. What makes you choose a theme?
I do what I like, what inspires me. I like the colour and humour that certain ideas emanate. My mindset is not very mature, and this is reflected in what I do. Also, there are much fewer barriers in children’s creations as we don’t tend to question them as much.
As for Little Red Riding Hood – that was an idea for a birthday party for my daughter. She chose the colours and I picked up on the story with my illustrations which I later went to offer in the shop. I’d say that I pretty much have the same taste as my 4 year old daughter. Except for the glitter, maybe.
Your design I knit so I don‘t kill people – is this a fun take on a life motto or a reference to the writer Eva Dane?
I don’t know any of the books by Eva Dane. The designs answered a request of a fellow knitter. A crocheting friend, so to speak. When you don’t find what you’re looking for, just create and sell it!
A tattoo T-shirt for kids – how does that work?
The world of childhood has always fascinated me, and I just followed my desire and inspiration. On the day I created it, I felt like exercising a vintage tattoo style. I don’t think it’s incompatible with the world of childhood as my daughter stands drooling outside a tattoo artist shop every morning when on her way to school. There’s a Disney princess tattoo in the shop window she likes.
What software do you use for creating your designs, and what steps are there in your workflow?
I draw my designs with Illustrator. I have no organised plan as don’t like organising my work. I have a list next to my computer with all the themes I’d like to achieve. I never complete this list as I extend it with more ideas. I get inspiration from what I see in a shop window, a magazine, a postcard. It can be a word, a colour combination, a cloth, a drawing or a photo etc.
Your artist’s name is “Pumpkin Miss” – why this moniker?
When I began to draw patterns, I wanted a small character reminding the world of childhood. It’s a fun and childish name I thought of at the time my daughter began eating vegetables. So I thought of Miss Pumpkin: it’s round, it’s cute and I thought it sounded better than Misses or Miss Artichoke or Spinach.
Why did you choose to offer your designs on Spreadshirt to the world?
The creation of textile patterns inspires me, and searching the internet I saw that Spreadshirt offer a very simple platform for graphic designers. No stock, no extra expenses, no logistics. I can concentrate on creating, which suits my administrative phobia very well.
We very much enjoyed talking to Agnès and would like to thank her for taking the time. And of course we look forward to seeing lots of new creations from her in the future.
