Lynn Forder of Lynn Forder Designs is a self-taught surface pattern designer and illustrator originally from Edinburgh, Scotland. She’s now based in Fife where she works from her home studio creating designs for textiles, homeware, wallpaper, gift wrap, stationery – anything with a surface really!

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

My professional background is in accountancy, however, things changed when I stumbled upon the term “surface pattern design”.  I knew what it was, I just didn’t know this was the way to describe all the pretty patterns and designs you see covering objects you come across each and every day.  I wanted to learn more about it and so I signed up for the courses being run by Rachael Taylor and her team at Make it in Design.

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

The Make it in Design courses covered this topic and it was through them that I learned about ACID and just how important it is to protect your work.

Rachael Taylor of Make it in Design adds, “When I first started out in the design industry over 13 years ago, there didn’t seem to be much information readily available to designers and artists about how to protect their work or how to even understand intellectual property. There also wasn’t much legal information on the laws and regulations, or even tips available on the best ways to fight against your work being copied or stolen. When I first launched my courses with Make it in Design I knew this was a topic that I wanted to cover in-depth and having been a member of ACID I worked closely with them to offer my students as much information as possible to help them protect their design rights. ACID were really there for me during a highly publicised legal battle and I wouldn’t have had the success I achieved without their support. Now being part of ACID’s Advisory Council, I’m proud of the work we are doing to spread awareness of IP rights and the knowledge of how to effectively safeguard your work.”

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

I have uploaded my designs to the ACID IP Databank and I use the Member of ACID logo on my marketing materials and website.

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

I have been commissioned to design tote bags and mugs for a property development company in Edinburgh, I have had my designs featured in the fabulous Print and Pattern blog and I have had a request to design some wallpaper and lampshades for a new client.  I am also looking at adding an online shop to my website and have been working on a range of homewares and accessories which I hope to launch very soon.

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

Being able to upload my designs to the ACID IP Databank gives me enormous peace of mind and using their logo on my website acts as a great deterrent to potential copycats!

What advice would you offer to a new designer?

Join ACID!  Always protect your work – get into the habit of signing and dating your original artwork or drawings.  Add a watermark, copyright symbol or your design logo when sharing your images on social media and always use low res images.  Add copyright information when saving your digital files.

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 a UK designer, I feel that it is critically important we have the protection required to offer our services in the global market place.  Because of this, I ask that the UK Government seeks to create similar or better protection standards than currently exists within the EU.

Find out more about Lynn Forder Designs:

https://www.lynnforderdesigns.co.uk

Find out more about Make it in Design:

https://makeitindesign.com/