Rosie Rackham
Published 1st March 2022
Photography by: @chrisbulezuikphotography & styling by @lima_r0sa
INTRODUCTION
Rosie Rackham is an interdisciplinary designer currently based in east London.
Defined by minimalistic colour palettes, simplified objects, and androgynous characters, Rosie’s illustrations explore themes of intimacy and the everyday. Her use of geometric shapes juxtaposed against fluid forms make for a dynamic and engaging signature style which evokes feelings of peacefulness and tranquillity.
After graduating with a degree in Textile Design in 2020, Rosie has continued to explore a range of different mediums and processes including digital design, painting, and ceramics.
When do you feel at your most creative? Are you an early bird or a night owl?
Creativity usually comes later in the day. Early mornings are for admin and night time is when I come up with all my ideas. I’ve tried sticking to the standard 9-5 but the distractions the daytime brings definitely make it hard to focus sometimes. Working during the hours when the world is at its quietest removes all of this and allows me to focus exactly on what’s going on in front of me.
© Rosie Rackham - Bloom
What was your favourite thing about growing up in Norfolk? Was a creative career something that was always on the cards for you?
I’m actually writing this from my parents house now!
I definitely didn’t appreciate it when I was a moody teen, but since moving to London I’ve realised how peaceful and still it is here. I’m lucky enough to have grown up surrounded by fields and nature so most of my time as a kid was spent outside. I think I had quite a naive and innocent childhood compared to others in terms of what I was exposed to before the age of 18. I always imagine Norfolk to be comparable to Texas; a bit weird, slightly backwards, but if it’s all you know it might as well be heaven. In all seriousness though, some of the most beautiful landscapes I’ve seen have been in Norfolk and I feel very lucky to have grown up here.
“It wasn’t until I was typing out my UCAS application that I realised I didn’t fancy slogging my guts out in a lab for the foreseeable future”
As for whether or not I knew I wanted to pursue a creative career, the short answer is no. I studied science at sixth form and was fully set on doing a biology-related degree. Science didn’t come naturally to me though. I had to put in the WORK. It wasn’t until I was typing out my UCAS application that I realised I didn’t fancy slogging my guts out in a lab for the foreseeable future when there are some people who look at an equation once and remember it for the rest of their life. The way science comes naturally to others, creativity comes naturally to me, so it only made sense to pursue that instead.
© Rosie Rackham - DJ Seinfelds, Mirrors album artwork
When did you realise that your work in textile design was beginning to take more of an illustrative angle?
I’ve always been drawn to art which has a strong narrative, so when I developed the characters which I continue to use throughout my work today – in the early months of second year – there was no going back. I designed a few collections of repeat patterns but it didn’t give me the same gratification as ones with humanistic qualities.
“I’ve always been drawn to art which has a strong narrative, so when I developed the characters which I continue to use throughout my work today – there was no going back.”
Over time I found the balance. My tutors taught me the importance of developing collections with both ‘stand out’, and ‘sister/supportive’ prints. As long as the narrative/scenic placement designs were supported by subtler, repetitive designs, everything was fine and I managed to bumble my way through the remaining 2 years. I’m planning on experimenting with textiles again this year; it’ll be interesting to see if the experience I’ve gained since graduating has changed the way I approach textile design.
© Rosie Rackham - The Distance Between Us
Did you leave university with a clear sense of what you wanted to do?
Absolutely not. I still don’t know for sure and that's ok! I think it’s very rare that people leave university with a clear sense of what they want to do, especially in the arts.
For the time being I’m enjoying exploring as many processes and mediums as possible. Your 20s are a time for experimenting and making mistakes; as long as you’re working hard and making enough money to survive, follow your intuition and see where it takes you.
“Your 20s are a time for experimenting and making mistakes; as long as you’re working hard and making enough money to survive, follow your intuition and see where it takes you.”
© Rosie Rackham - A Helping Hand
What's your favourite medium to create in?
It changes all the time but anything tangible. Or anything that involves making a mess, because then I get the satisfaction of tidying up afterwards, which sounds a bit odd but sometimes the clean-up is the most relaxing part of the process.
“Anything tangible. Or anything that involves making a mess, because then I get the satisfaction of tidying up afterwards...sometimes the clean-up is the most relaxing part of the process.”
I’m learning that I feel most satisfied when I’ve made something which has a function aside from being purely aesthetic. Digital artwork just isn't cutting the mustard like it used to!
© Rosie Rackham - Still Here Still Life Skateboard
How does it feel to see your work on display in someone’s home?
Honestly it boggles my brain. I’m so thankful to everyone who even shows the remote bit of interest in the things I create. I just hope they get as much from it as I do from creating it!
We might be biased…but good mentoring is a game-changer for those of us just starting out. Have you got a mentor? And if so, how have they helped you in your development as a creative?
Yes! I have a few people I’d consider mentors actually. They’re all at least 10 years older so have been through the ups and downs of building a creative career. Shout out to David Speed in particular. I treasure every word he says and he’s helped me out big time on numerous occasions. It’s the self belief he instils in me which has helped me develop most I think. It’s the people cheering you on in moments of self-doubt that make the biggest difference.
© Rosie Rackham - Next Door Records
What's the best piece of advice you've ever received?
The best way to get it done is to do it.
What’s one dream project you’d love to work on this year?
A collaboration with an existing fashion label – similar to the project Alfie Kungu did with Folk a couple of years back. I’ve been working on some pattern designs recently so the opportunity to develop them into something wearable would be a dream!
Recommended reading
Recommended listening
Creative Rebels Podcast, hosted by Adam Brazier & David Speed
Recommended follow
Recent interviews
