In our latest Member Focus we want to share a fascinating insight into Scotland-based jewellery designer and maker, Hannah Louise Lamb. Hannah’s work is inspired by the rugged beauty of nature and her pieces reflect coastlines, skylines and landscapes of special significance to each of us. 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. Hannah Louise Lamb is no exception!  

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

I graduated from Glasgow School of Art in 2000 as started refining my designs into those you see today straight away. They’ve changed and developed as the years have gone by but some of the core ideas I had back then when I graduated are the same pieces I still make today.

Inspired by the rugged beauty of nature and the idea that jewellery can encapsulate the cherished moments of our lives, my pieces reflect coastlines, skylines and landscapes of special significance to each of us. I currently sell my work through galleries and shops across the UK and USA, I like to think of my designs as heirlooms for generations to come.

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

A small amount from a talk we had at Art School, but we were always taught to find our own primary sources of inspiration through drawing, collage, model making and design development. There is still a big learning curve and this is where ACID is so helpful in being able to simply some of the key aspects, like sending a clear message on my website that I am a member of the ACID community, an organisation of like-minded designers who want to protect their work and encourage respect, ethics and compliance with and for creative talent.

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

I really should use more! But sometimes as a designer maker, there aren’t enough hours in the day. I am pleased to hear that ACID will be producing a series of Intellectual Property (IP) Nuggets, bite size pieces of information which will not only help me but others who are time poor.

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

I really should use more! But sometimes as a designer maker, there aren’t enough hours in the day. I am pleased to hear that ACID will be producing a series of Intellectual Property (IP) Nuggets, bite size pieces of information which will not only help me but others who are time poor.

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

To know that there’s always someone there for support if I need it and being part of a movement that is really making change. The ACID community, through active support on social media, continues to raise awareness of the value of creative skills and talent and it is not just about copying, its about celebrating the successes of its members and telling their stories.

What advice would you offer to a new designer?

It’s all changed a lot since I was a new designer (no social media, or even websites!) so in some ways it’s easier to get your ideas out to a wide audience now, but it’s so important to believe in your designs, and make sure your craftsmanship is the best it can possibly be.

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?

As design in the UK contributes so significantly to the UK’s economy, I would like to see greater acknowledgement of the importance of design rights. Now, more than ever post-Brexit, our UK designers need to be celebrated and their work protected.

Click here to read more about Hannah Louise Lamb.