Lauren McDonnell has always had a passion for arts and crafts and it was also a way to help her sleep after busy nursing shifts in the emergency department. It wasn’t until she was 36 weeks pregnant that she decided to start studying graphic design and she hasn’t looked back since!
WHAT EXACTLY IS… Colour Must Design?
Colour Muse Design is a graphic design business, offering a broad range of services from print media, logo design, custom illustrations to mural paintings, book design and wedding stationary and decor.
HOW DID COLOUR MUSE DESIGN COME ABOUT/TO LIFE?
Colour Muse started originally as a way to help me sleep after busy nursing shifts. I then decided to undertake a Diploma of Graphic Design while 36 weeks pregnant! I started doing small jobs for family and friends and then broadened my scope by starting social media accounts (massive step for me).
I’ve always loved art, creating things and obsessed with very bright colourful things.
I never thought I would make such a big career swap, that I’d only ever be an appreciator of art and creations, but here we are!
HOW LONG… how long has Colour Muse Design been up + running for?
1st January 2017 I started advertising on social media accounts for friends and family. It was the top of the ‘to-do’ list for that new year! Three months later I started receiving weekly orders and haven’t stopped since!
EVERYBODY HAS SOMETHING… what do YOU love about your job?
I love the freedom and flexibility of this job. I’m able to work at night once my daughter is asleep, of an afternoon after a nursing shift or weekends at the beach or you yangs. I can take work with me camping and sitting by the fire or I can sit at my favourite cafes and sketch away. I am very passionate about creating affordable art and design and mostly I just love adding colour to everyone’s life. I love seeing things be turned from boring and dull to bright and energetic. I think art can me used as a healing method and good design can aid a business to next level success. As I have branched out I have also met some truely admirable people who have now become friends.
IS YOUR JOB/S EXCITING… or do you just do arts + crafts all day?
Arts and crafts are as exciting as being an emergency nurse, sometimes I think even more so! I’m often caught saying I wish there was an extra day in the week called ‘artday’, and I could honestly do this job 7 days a week if I could. I get such a thrill when I’m approached to start a new job or meeting a new client. I love delving deep into my thoughts to bring a concept alive and truely appreciate when the client gets as excited as I do about brainstorming and talking through ideas. Not to mention seeing the client’s reaction with the final design, concept or painting.
LOOKING INTO THE FUTURE… what’s planned for the future of Colour Muse Design + what keeps you motivated in these troubled times?
Just before the pandemic hit I had been busily creating and sourcing a lot of items to hire for weddings and events which will launch once the world is back on track. I’m currently working on a website build so that the business will be able to run while I take off with my family on a trip around Australia and work remotely! We are also currently working on some huge projects at this point in time, so it’s really reassuring that people still believe in small business and supporting locals throughout this world-wide tough time. I am lucky to have a backup career, but Colour Muse has been receiving order after order since this ordeal as people are taking the time to set up their businesses correctly, style their homes and appreciating hand crafted gifts like no other time in history. I’m also using this down time to set up my business admin and organisation side of things- it’s only taken a pandemic to get myself sorted!
TELL ME MORE… how do I get in contact + find out more about Colour Muse Design?
You can find me at @colour_muse_design on Instagram and facebook, @colour_muse_art for commission based canvases and coming soon at www.colourmusedesign.com.au