In our latest Member Focus we want to share a fascinating insight into ACID member, Paola De Giovanni-Pastore of MeanMagenta. All the inside stories of our amazingly diverse membership all have one common theme – protecting their intellectual property to achieve growth and putting IP at the heart of their business strategy. MeanMagenta is no exception!  

When and why did you first start creating your products/designs?

I have been a photographer since my late teens, I attended a Foundation Degree in Florence, in my native Italy, and learned about both analogue and digital photography.

Photography is my main creative medium, my camera is like a notebook I use daily to document what I consider worth preserving and also to capture ideas, patterns and unique situations.

My textile designs are often inspired by my photographs, especially the floral range I am working on to create what will be the 2020 home accessories and textile collections.

Did you have any knowledge of intellectual property (IP) when you started your business?

Yes, during my University degree at the University of Salford (BA (Hons) Design Studies) and later as a postgraduate at the London College of Fashion, (MA Fashion Studies), I gained valuable training and information about the importance of intellectual property.

Which ACID Membership services have you used and how have you benefited from being a Member?

I have uploaded the ACID Membership logo on my website and I have uploaded some of my recent work on to the ACID Marketplace page.

Have you brought anything new to the marketplace recently that you would like to share?

I am currently developing the S/S 2020 Flora Collection that will be digitally printed in the UK on responsibly sourced cotton, also available as a home accessories range.

With regards to my photographic work, besides my ongoing visual research and interpretations of floral patterns, I am working on an environmental portraiture project of artists and makers based in Derbyshire. I am a member of Banks Mill Studios in Derby, a creative business incubator within the University of Derby. I have always been fascinated by the creative process and interested in documenting the creative environment. It was an ideal opportunity to take portraits of the very talented artists and makers based at Banks Mill and work on a personal project.

What is the best aspect of ACID Membership for your business?

Belonging to the ACID community and being a member is priceless to me! I consider the staff at ACID like my knights in shining armour, ready to step in should I have to deal with issues like copyrights infringements and other IP issues. Knowing that I am not on my own to face this kind of potential problems gives me peace of mind and lets me concentrate on running my creative business.

What advice would you offer to a new designer?

Knowledge is power, but you have to act upon it. Know your creative and financial worth, know your rights. Take all the necessary steps to protect your art, designs, brand and join ACID, don’t allow anyone to profit from your intellectual property.

ACID values the support of its members to enable it to campaign for design law reform.  Do you have any messages for Government/Policy Makers on IP issues?

My message is that the creative industries in the UK are a very valuable financial asset also for the national economy. British culture is also represented by the designers, makers and artists, they give prestige and generate employment, commissions, sales, exhibitions and international exchanges. Creative businesses deserve to be protected against all forms of intellectual property theft, which I consider like the theft of somebody’s personal identity, along with the unlawful appropriation of the actual work that goes into the creation of a collection, design range or piece of art.

Click here to read more about MeanMagenta.