25-27_Viewpoints.qxp_Grid 09/05/2024 13:35 Page 2
VIEWPOINTS Inset: Open the ‘cover’ of any business and there’s always a story to tell.
Stories to tell…
Next month’s Progressive Greetings Live (June 4-5) at London’s Business Design Centre) will see a wonderful array of publishers making their debut at the exhibition, most notably in the Upper Village and Springboard areas. PG shares the behind-the-scenes stories of some of these PG Live newbies and their respective ‘plotlines’ for the show.
Sharon King-Chai, the eponymous artist behind Sharon King-Chai
Once upon a time: “I grew up in Sydney, Australia and arrived in London in 2003. I had the intention of working in a pub, traveling around Europe and returning home after a year. Instead, I magically fell into my dream jobs, and 20 years later - I’m still in London. I worked designing album covers for a diverse range of bands and artists, including Crowded House, The Subways, Skin, Sarah Brightman and Westlife. I then moved to children’s publishing, working as an in-house designer at Macmillan Children’s Books. I ended up writing and illustrating my own books, and have also been lucky enough to illustrate books for the phenomenal Julia Donaldson. When I had two children in two different schools in two different Above left: Sharon (right) signing with Julia Donaldson. “We were both amused our book is called 'Colours Colours Everywhere' and when we looked down at our arms we were covered in colours, colours everywhere!” says Sharon. Above right: Sharon’s Snail Mail book launch with Marta Altes.
boroughs I left my job at Macmillan, taking the decision to work for myself. I’ve always loved greeting cards. I dabbled in them here and there doing illustrators fairs and selling to Below: One of Sharon’s greeting card designs, local shops, but it’s only since going based on words from her children. freelance that I’ve found the space to really focus on them.” PG Live main plot: “Having a table in the Springboard area at PG Live is hugely exciting as it’s my first taste of a trade show. I’m launching with various ranges of cards I’ve been working on over the past few years alongside my book projects. I am really obsessed with the feel of a product. I love deliberating over paper stocks and finishes, with foil and die cuts being my favourites. One of the new ranges I’m launching with is Things the Kids Say. When my kids say something funny, I like to write it down. Recently my youngest was having an emotional outburst. When I went to wipe her face, she said to me “It’s my tears. I like to drink them.” I genuinely think you can find inspiration in anything – even a tantrum!” Upper Village Springboard Stand 6 PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE 25