Designing with dogs in mind is always a joy, their charm and personality are a constant source of inspiration. With Dogs & Stripes, I set out to capture a variety of breeds in profile, creating a dog-themed collection that feels both timeless and practical, while celebrating the love we share with our canine companions.
Inspiration: Where Dogs Meet Design
The starting point for the collection was simply gathering images of family and friends' dogs. Labradors were a given in black, brown and yellow, along with Cockapoos, Jack Russells, Norfolk Terriers, and Cocker Spaniels.
Each breed has its own quirks - the loyal Lab, the grumpy Jack Russell, the fluffy Cockapoo, the bouncy spaniel. I wanted to capture each one's individuality in a playful yet minimal style, to make the perfect dog lovers gift for a variety of owners.
The Design Process
Turning inspiration into a collection always starts with experimenting.
Illustrating Dogs
I began by illustrating many different breeds, some with wagging tails, others sitting quietly. The goal was to keep each dog instantly recognisable while making the designs versatile enough to work across kitchen accessories and everyday essentials for dog lovers.
Once the breeds were drawn, I began designing stripy dog bowls and bones to fill the negative space between them.
Creating the Perfect Pattern
The illustrations were scanned and refined in Photoshop. Colour, scale, and composition were carefully adjusted while stacking each breed vertically and horizontally, balancing the overall pattern. Some versions were busier, others more minimal - but each maintained the fun and personality of the dogs.
Fabric Sample & Photoshoot
After finalising the pattern, I sampled the dog print on cotton panama and cotton drill to see how it worked across different dog-themed homeware products. Again, checking colour, composition, and print quality was crucial before the fabric was made into oven gloves, tea towels and more.
Your Home
A lifestyle photoshoot brought the Dogs & Stripes collection to life, showcasing how these dog gifts and kitchen accessories fit effortlessly into everyday life. From dog-print tea towels for hanging in the kitchen to double oven gloves ready to bake, each piece was designed to be as practical as it is charming - bringing style, joy, and a touch of canine personality to every corner of your home.
Gifts for Dog Lovers
What makes this collection so special is how perfectly it lends itself to gifting.
-
Wrap It Up in Dogs: Pair a present with matching dog-themed wrapping paper and a card for a thoughtful, coordinated touch.
-
Everyday Reminders: Baking with an oven glove or drying up with a tea towel serves as a little reminder of your favourite canine friend.
-
For Every Occasion: Whether it’s a birthday, housewarming, Christmas present, Dogs & Stripes is perfect for the dog lover in your life.
Dogs & Stripes was designed to capture moments of joy in everyday life, representing not only a love of dogs but also the happiness they bring. From practical dog kitchen linen to thoughtfully wrapped dog gifts, the collection celebrates the special bond between humans and their canine friends.