Rhianne Siân Designs

Rhianne Siân Designs is a North East based business run by artist Rhianne Johnson.

We spoke to Rhianne as part of our campaign supporting International Women’s Day.

I have been obsessed with art and design for as long as I can remember. At a young age, I was fascinated by the creative opportunities that were arising in digital design.

I would sit at my computer and create pretty website layouts for my friends, design party invitations and gifts. Looking back now, it seemed like I knew exactly what I wanted to do when I was older, without even realising it.

Background

After studying Art & Design throughout School, College and University, in 2017. I graduated with a First Class Honors Degree in Textiles and Surface Design from the Northern College of Art and Design.

For years I dreamt of owning my own business and after spending some time working in London. I decided to follow my dream and Rhianne Siân Designs was established in December 2017.

All of my designs originate from my own artwork. Each illustration is digitally developed where I add various layers of detail, colour and texture.

My illustrations are then collaged together to create contemporary and sophisticated surface design.

These designs are available as mounted artwork, kitchen textiles, homeware, gift, stationery and bone china. All of my products are beautifully made in the UK by carefully selected manufacturers. They all share my values in high quality design and all products are available to purchase on my website, at selected stockists and various agricultural/retail events.

I am passionate about giving a memorable customer service so everything from offering an exciting visual experience at the point of purchase to the delivery of a carefully hand wrapped parcel.

In addition to the enjoyable design elements, my business also involves the usual peripheral processes including administration, supplier and stock management, social media engagement and Financial Accounting.

Covid-19 has had an impact on my business.

I had planned 76 Event/Show days throughout 2020 from March to December. However, only two events went ahead in November totalling 11 days and all other events were cancelled due to Covid-19.

In addition, I have a number of high street shops who stock my products and all were closed during lockdown, and sadly some have decided close altogether. I was due to hold a pop-up shop in the John Lewis Department Store in Newcastle but that too was cancelled, however I’m delighted this opportunity has been carried over into 2021.

The loss of the events was detrimental to my business and reduced revenue potential to Online sales only. However, the Online sales did increase in 2020 and I received several commissions including design and production of Wedding stationery and the Branding and Web design for a local shop.

The cancellation of the retail events, freed up precious time which I used to create new illustrations and designs. I have had more time to explore new products for my designs and promote my business on social media.

Future Plans

My business is still very young but I intend 2021 to at least get my business back to where it was at the end of 2019. I plan to continue with trade and retail events, finding some new stockists and secure more Pop-up shop opportunities in department stores.

I am planning to create more animal and architecture designs and increase my product range, continue to accept commissions and hopefully secure more branding opportunities.

I will be working hard to increase my social following and product sales via my online shop before growing my business to the position where I will need to employ staff.