Introducing Brick Lane's hottest new design Duo: Blanc Prints

Let’s get you introduced to our customers! Co-founded in 2021 by Hackney based duo, Michael and Libby Where and how did you guys originally meet? 

Libby: 

Michael and I grew up in York but at different sides of the city. We both knew of each other through mutual friends from a young age as we were in the same year at school. We exchanged some cringey early teen Facebook messages around the age of 14 where I recall Michael messaging me about how he “saw me in Tesco with my mum and I looked shy” but this as expected never amounted to anything. Our next interaction was a few years later, I was working in an office job at the time and Michael was working with his dad. I went to the local petrol station to get my lunch and noticed “Mike Walmsley Garden Landscapes” on the side of a van outside (his dad is also called Michael). I recognised this straight away and kept an eye out for him In the shop. We were down the same aisle, knowing exactly who each other were but never said a word to each other. 

Fast forward to my second year of university, the Tinder boom was rife and I wanted to check out the hype. The first person I matched with was Michael. We talked non-stop for the next few days and met up the same week. From our first date we spent most days together and booked a trip to travel Australia after 4 months of meeting. Michael and I have always had a love for art and culture and this naturally became a big part of our relationship. Michael has always encouraged me to have confidence in my artwork and I know I wouldn’t be where we are today without his belief in the things I produce. 

Michael: 

I always fancied Libby. We met when we matched on Tinder and I remember being extremely excited about it sat in a car park waiting for my grandad to come out from the bank. When we met, I took her on a day out to Helmsley which is on the outskirts of York, a picturesque place with rowing rivers, historic buildings and a slow engaging pace to life. We talked about ourselves, our ambitions, our goals and everything we would like to do in the future. Fast forward, we spent pretty much every day together enjoying what life has to offer. 

Are your colour fuelled designs based on interiors you’ve visited, in particular places you’ve travelled or homes of people you know? 

Libby & Michael: 

Our designs started very differently to where they are today. We began with trending artwork such as flower markets, and Matisse like shapes as we knew this was popular of the time and was yet to find our own style. The interiors started when I (Libby) was sat at home one day writing my PGCE dissertation. I wanted a distraction and began drawing what I could see in front of me, my interior space. These designs are now known as “The Essence’s” and are still to this day some of our best sellers. We found these designs were much popular than our original creations and had finally found our own staple style. 

When we moved to London, we had both just quit our jobs as teachers to take the business seriously and start creating BLANC as a brand. We began drawing the interiors of the people we had met along the way, using colour and small detailed messages within the prints to reflect the person who’s interior it was. Our interior styled prints are now what BLANC is recognised for. Not following the trends, believing in ourselves and our own creations has allowed us to be recognised and established in the design space. To answer the question, we cover all of the aspects mentioned in the question above. We take inspiration from everywhere we visit, we have prints based on holidays such as Naples, we have prints based on people’s homes that we have produced as commissions. We are always open to discovering new interior spaces that lead to new design ideas for prints as well as our T-shirt designs. 

Tell us about the step by step creative process behind each of your unique Blanc Print designs? 

Libby & Michael: 

When creating our pieces there is not a one size fits all policy. We use various techniques depending on the purpose of the artwork. When creating designs for BLANC we begin by taking inspiration from existing interior spaces, whether this be through magazines, Pinterest or in person. When working with clients, we ask them to send over imagery of their interior and rework the composition to ensure all angles and focus points of the room can be seen. In saying this, the process is always formed of layers. Starting with the basic background of the room and in the same way you would fill a physical space, slowly adding in furniture and furnishing to create a finished product. The colours of our work either represent the person who owns the home we have sketched, using colour theory to create a piece that reflects its owner. Other inspirations of the colour palettes we choose are the locations of the space. For example, our best selling Hackney piece uses vibrant tones to reflect the borough. 

Colour plays the biggest part in the process and usually the longest amount of time as we want to ensure the colour are not only on trend with current interior decisions but also work in harmony whilst being an appropriate representation of the area and person it is reflecting. When producing our commission pieces, the artwork is heavily led by our clients. From the compositions we use, to the smaller detail ensuring the piece is personal and special to the customer. A popular technique to ensure personalisation is taking into account the clients interests, occupation and hobbies to include small messages throughout the print that allow them to show guests of their home and create artwork that acts as a story of the clients life. The colours again are chosen by the client, using BLANC’s signature style of vibrancy whilst ensuring it ties in with their existing interior. All out pieces, whether commission or new designs for BLANC are then colour tested to make sure when they are printed they match the tones created on the computer. 

You regularly trade at Brick Lane Upmarket and Backyard Market as well as live in the area, are there any parts of the city that you draw particular inspiration from? 

Libby & Michael: 

Working in Brick Lane allows us to constantly take inspiration from our surroundings. The buildings, local businesses and people in the area always form ideas which lead to new designs at BLANC. In saying this, most of our inspiration comes from more than just what the eye sees. Working on the markets allows us to meet our customers as well as being able to form deep conversations with them. Conversation has led to some of my favourite and most meaningful design ideas. One I can recall was a few months ago when a customer and me got into the conversation of how your 20’s is about discovering the things you enjoy and how external pressures can sometimes become overwhelming. How people of the same age are all at different stages, whether that be buying a house, getting a new job, having children or just figuring it all out. We talked about how the external pressures to keep up with everyone around you can distract you from your own journey. 

That evening when I was working on the design “Courtyard” I placed a clock in the piece with the text “Don’t rush you have time” in the centre. To this day I see customers in that age group stop and notice the small message in the clock. BLANC aims to bring connection to people through its designs and the conversations our story telling style sparks. This is a small example of how we are doing that. 

     

A Shoreditch House                                                                                        Living Room

Whats your earliest memory related to art, design or Illustration? First museum visit or creative experience that had an impact on you? 

Libby: 

I have grown up in a very creative environment with family members being artists, graphic designers and illustrators. This mean’t art and creativity was my form of play from a very young age. My first memory of art is the art box my mum created for me when I was young. This was a child’s dream, full of pipe cleaners, chalk, colourful pens and my favourite stick on googly eyes which would be the final and most exciting stage of bringing my drawings to life. I would spend all my spare time thinking of what I could do when I was “older” that was creative. 

My parents were always really supportive of my suggestions, even when I wanted to create my own wedding business with my best friend at the age of 9. We spent hours cutting up pieces of paper for confetti and even created a stall outside my house to sell our creations to passers by, we actually had a few buyers! When you look back, it is not too dissimilar to today, just a lot more refinement and people not buying out of feeling sorry for our us and our efforts…I hope.

Michael: 

When I was younger, I literally rearranged and redesigned spaces in my parents house…which my mum was not a fan of at all. I also enjoyed creating abstract art using different materials I found around the house. In all honesty, it was mainly appreciation for art and design. I find it fascinating how you can alter a feel of a room just by turning a sofa or table. Rather than creating, using what is already around me is something I have found I use mostly in design. People often think they need to buy new furniture and fixtures to create a new feel to a room but really, you can use what is already there. 

Did you go to art school and if so, what did you study? 

Libby: 

I never went to art school. I had the offer to study at Leeds College of Art after my A-Levels but I decided I wanted to go straight to university. I studied Fashion Communication and Promotion at Nottingham Trent University and I still thank this course for the skills it taught me that I use everyday to create BLANC. The course looked at how brands could deliver their brand message to their customers through visuals, which is really what we at BLANC do through everything we create. The course taught me skills on Illustrator and Photoshop which I use everyday as well as the importance of story telling to create a relationship between brand and customer. 

Michael: No I didn’t go to art school what so ever. I don’t really come from an artistic background. However, through school I always has an interest in interior space and how you can alter the dynamics of a room just by moving furniture, fixtures and art work. For me, the overall feel of the room is imperative to having a successful environment for whatever you are using it for, whether that be for work, socialising or relaxing. Graphics and actual product design has always been an interest, in terms of this relating to the business I have found it has just fallen into place with how my once interest has turned into a job. I’m sure in the future we will rather than just using space through prints, we will take interior design as a full focus. 

What do you each do for fun outside of the studio? 

Libby: 

Truthfully, this is something I struggled with at the start of creating the business. Art has always been an outlet for me, a hobby and a pass time that would allow me to have a break from everything going on around me. However, when creating artwork became my job I found this a really difficult thing to balance, was it my passion or my work? I would go through times of creative block and would occasionally see my creative side a chore rather than an enjoyment. I have found it is important for me to find other outlets whilst still being creative, going back to basics of drawing what is around me with a pen or pencil with no external pressure to make sure it is liked by others. Reading, seeing friends for coffee, meals out or just a walk in the park. 

Michael: 

Usually I use exercise as an outlet for enjoyment and winding down. I think this is my go to form of escapism. I always try to learn about new business ideas by listening to podcasts, reading books, journal (reflecting) and watching YouTube videos. Fun is a difficult one at the moment as I often associate it with progression of myself and the business and this is something that is usually interlinked. For pure fun and engagement any form of competitive elements in a game scenario definitely allow me to have fun. 

     

Hackney                                                                                                             Big Love

Quick Fire Questions: 

It’s Friday night, what’s your go to cocktail? 

Libby: Bramble or Expresso Martini 

Michael: Expresso Martini 

If you could describe each other in 5 words, what would they be? GO! 

Libby: Mikey is - Exciting, energetic, passionate, determined and genuine 

Michael: Libby is - Caring, kind, head strong, loving and ambitious. 

What is your last Google search? 

Libby: Notting Hill carnival 

Michael: Life mentor 

What never fails to make you laugh? 

Libby - My therapist ghosted me podcast 

Michael - Vines 

What’s your go-to karaoke song? 

Libby: Man! I feel like a woman! - Shania Twain 

Michael: Dreams - Fleetwood Mac 

Salty or sweet? 

Libby- Can I have both?

Michael - Sweet