Designing Narratives:
A Journey through Color and Culture
By Selpha Carey
Hi, I'm Selpha Carey: A Passionate Textile Designer
creating inspiration surface patterns for a global market with a crosscultural perspective
Selpha Carey is your gateway to a world where art seamlessly meets commerce. Join me in celebrating culture, fostering design innovation, and supporting the next generation of talented artists globally.
Together, let's elevate your brand and empower emerging talents.
I bring several years of experience in the Womenswear, Menswear, Home furnishings , Interiors & Product design.
Background
Work experience: Womenswear, Menswear, Uniforms , Wallcoverings, tiles , Graphic design deliverables , fabric design , paintings , exhibition curation.
Education: Master In Textiles and Surface Pattern Design.
Software experience:AVAsoftware,Adobe Creative Suite,A.I software, Clo-3d
Soft skills: Presentation design , production support & aftersales support all with great team work.
Offerings
•Print and Pattern design
•Textile Design, Colour & Material Consultation incorporating sustainable practices into designs.
•Surface designs for ceramics, tiles, and laminates.
•Technical design using CAD software
•Customize designs based on client preferences.
• Provide illustrations for patterns and designs.
• Develop prototypes to showcase design concepts.
•Collaborate with manufacturers, designers, and professionals.
• Assist in brand identity development.
•Conduct workshops on textile design & teaching
• Conduct market research for trend awareness.
• Build a diverse portfolio of designs and projects.
•Present design concepts to clients and stakeholders effectively.
Design Process
From research and sketching to final printing, my design process captures diverse experiences, scaling possibilities, and weaving cultural narratives into vibrant fabric tales.
Design Philosophy
Why I call myself an afro-chic designer.
I have a rich EastAfrican heritage , born in Kenya with a Ugandan roots and grew up surrounded by Rwandese, Somalis ,Afro-Asian community & Tanzanians which are imprinted in my principles and integrity as a designer.
The main design philosophy I hold dearly is UTU an eastAfrican belief that I am because we are , similar to UBUNTU!
Selpha Carey working philosophies include : the need for expert sourcing of material and finishes , circularity in fashion and product design , colour science and fairtade economics in the art and design industry
Collaboration & Projects
As a textile designer, my creative journey extends beyond the studio, embracing diverse collaborations, exhibitions, conferences, and immersive projects.
Our Collaboration transforms projects, blending boundless creativity, attention to detail, and a commitment to excellence.
Market & Industry Knowledge
I have an elaborate understanding of consumer markets globally and technical design expertise to effectively communicate & transform art into tangible pieces through factories worldwide.
My design journey thrives on collaboration, pivotal moments in prestigious venues, and participation in conferences. These experiences enrich my versatility and connect me with industry influencers. Engaging in diverse global projects shapes my career in textile and surface pattern design. Explore more to discover the unique tapestry of my work.
Testimonials
Rachel Colley , Jewellery artist, Birmingham
I've loved working with you so much! Hope to have the chance again someday
Ade Johnson, Project manager Coventry Central Hall
I wholeheartedly recommend Selpha for any professional artistic engagements. She not only carries herself professionally but also brings a relatable and inspirational perspective to the industry and the world.
Chris Murithi- Collaborator & Textile Engineer
Selpha is a creative designer who can turn concepts into captivating visuals. Having seen her artistic work on textile and garment designs, she is innovative and has a keen eye for detail.
Her professionalism and dedication make her standout . Don’t miss the opportunity to collaborate with such a talented designer!
Emma Daker – Shelaanu Exhibitions manager Craftspace Limited, Birmingham
Selpha volunteered to support our work with Shelanu: Women’s Craft Collective over 6 months in 2022-2023. She was very interested in sharing her design skills with the group members. She was supportive of the members and their experience in the sessions. While Selpha was with us we were curating an exhibition to celebrate over 10 years of Shelanu at Vittoria Street Gallery at Birmingham City University.
Selpha was integral to the development of the display design for this exhibition. Drawing from the group’s Nurture collection, Selpha created a display design to go in the showcases for the jewellery to be placed on. The designs were very successful and drew the exhibition pieces together beautifully. The designs have been used again this year for Shelanu’s inclusion in the Ferrous Festival in Hereford.
Selpha also collected statements from the members about their work and what being part of Shelanu means to them. She edited this information for labels which were used in the exhibition.
Selpha also created a project book documenting the development of the Nurture collection with artist Rachael Colley. This adds to Shelanu’s collection of reference books which tell the stories of their collections and their history as a collective.
Selpha was a joy to work with. She is friendly, personable, open, very creative and hard working.
Nyokabi, tosheka textiles, Nairobi Kenya.
Selpha is a diligent hard working lady, ready to go miles to learn. She has attention to detail and keen in what she does. She is also time conscious and delivers in the stipulated time. We appreciate what she does for us as its customized and specialized to specific clients hence a lot of back and forth which she understands.
