Jit Patel, artist at The Seed Card Company, talks about his art and his influences…
Spring Fair, Hall 3, Stand P15
Tell us a little about the story behind you becoming an artist.
Ever since I was a young boy, I’ve always been creative. Doodling, drawing and mainly playing instruments. This led me down the path of studying music at university. Designing to a professional standard started in 2009 after quitting my day job, travelling the world for eight months and setting up our first business, Intricate Creations, which provides high-end wedding and event stationery for discerning clientele and companies. This company allowed my creativity to flow as our clients allowed true creative freedom. Then in 2020 we set up The Seed Card Company, which was my first true foray into the greeting cards world.
What inspires you?
This is a hard question but as most artists will most likely answer, inspiration can come at any time and take any form. This could be a piece of music I listen to or play, a trip abroad, a walk with my dog or (and this is true), waking up at 3am having a dream about a design style and getting to work on it in the morning.
Do you have any artist ‘heroes’ that inspire your work – and why?
This is a strange one as my heroes are musicians such as Hanz Zimmer and Audio Machine who create such inspiring epic music. When listening to them, the creativity sky rockets and I get lost in the process of designing.
What was your very first card design?
Our All the Dots collection was my very first greeting card collection inspired by my son (who was 18 months at the time) who loved to say the word ‘alllllll’. So I took that and made a collection with literally ALLLLLLL the dots!
Talk us through how the process works when you design a card.
It usually starts with a team meeting, we go through ideas and what everyone has as a vision for our next collections. We go through the pros and cons of each and decide on the heavy hitter ideas. Next it is over to me to sketch or roughly design ideas, typefaces and colour palettes. Once the rest of the team approves (which can take a fair few rounds!), I am let loose and left to my own devices to bring the collection to life. This involves my computer and ridiculous sized screens, some headphones, chocolate and no interruptions. The process can take a day, or months depending on how creative I am feeling.
What’s your favourite subject to draw/design and why?
Floral work and super detailed patterns are my favourite. Working in weddings and events for so many years I suppose this style almost chose me.
What do you do if you have a creative block?
Taking the dog for a walk or playing the piano usually does the trick, or alternatively taking a break and going out with friends; a ‘few’ drinks usually kick-start things again!
What do you like about working in the greeting card industry?
The people! I have worked in many industries over my varied career and never have I come across such an open, honest and welcoming group of people who are never too busy to impart some wisdom, advise us or just have a good old chin wag.
What do you do in your spare time?
Having two businesses and a five-year-old, the very little down time I do get is usually spent doing almost nothing. I find solitude in doing very little after being go go go for most of the day. Playing the piano, watching a movie, a good box set or even reviving my inner child and having a go on the PS5 are usually top of my list.
Is there a famous person or celebrity who you would love to design a card for – or send one of your existing cards to – and why?
Fortunately, I have already had this dream fulfilled as I was fortunate enough to design something for the late Queen Elizabeth II, which was presented to her. I don’t think it gets better than that, but if I had to choose someone else it would have to be David Attenborough just because the man is a living legend and shares my love for animals.
020 7183 5334
trade@theseedcardcompany.com
www.theseedcardcompany.com
