Originally from Sweden, Petra Börner is
an artist and illustrator based in London.
Infused with warmth and bold character,
her artful handcrafts and paper-cut
creations exude a modernist charm. With
clients including Louis Vuitton, the V&A
Museum, Thyren, Heal’s and Bloomsbury,
she has exhibited her work worldwide
including at the National Portrait Gallery,
the Design Museum, 3331 Arts Chiyoda
and the Swedish Embassy in Tokyo, to
name a few. Börner currently divides her
time between commercial commissions and
personal artistic pursuits.DEVELOPING THE CONCEPT
Creating designs that could be
translated into textile prints and
knitwear, Börner describes working
with fashion label Qasimi as a dream
project: “I loved his aesthetics, the
colours, the form and general tone of
the brand.”
Introduced to its late founder Khalid
Al Qasimi through a friend, Börner
had an initial design meeting where
they discussed the concept of the South
Shields collection. “We looked over the
mood boards and visual design research,
and discussed the various themes,” she
says. Designs were inspired by ropes and
twists, Yemini florals and Paisleys, and
Madras cloth interpretations.BEYOND FINANCIAL REWARD
For Börner, the financial reward is
secondary to the creative process.
“Working with brands enables my work
to take flight – a sort of caterpillar-
to-butterfly effect – and this is so
exciting to see when it’s done right.
This commission expanded my work,
enabled experimentation and stretched
my conceptual process for design. I feel
proud to have worked on it.”TRUST YOUR INSTINCTS
“Working with clients who accept or
encourage your creativity is exciting and
fulfilling, but I’m not satisfied without
a continual, personal exploration of
ideas,” says Börner. “It’s always been
important to me to keep working on
new ideas and to experiment.”
Having worked with brands including
Thyren, Cacharel and Qasimi, she
emphasises the importance of trusting
your instincts. “Go with your gut feeling- this is key. A partnership means that
both parties must feel satisfied, at ease,
and that includes you! So if it’s not right
for you, then it’s not right at all.”
Börner knows first hand that this is
not always easy – the nature of freelance
is a rollercoaster ride – but it’s key to
get the work you want. “It’s essential
not to waste anyone’s time, and for
both parties to feel certain about all
expectations benefits the process. I want
the process to feel upbeat and positive,
to feel that I can maximise my skills and
that the project feels valuable.”STRIVE TO BE INVENTIVE
Börner credits her success to
maintaining a hand in her personal
work, which is key to all her creative
development. “It’s important to me
to meet deadlines and take on client
commissions, and sometimes I have to
focus on this more than my personal
work. There’s an ebb and flow in the
balance between these practices, but in
the end I aim to communicate the same
intent, skill and dedication throughout
all my work.”
Supported by her proactive
and confident approach to making
connections and engaging with
potential clients, Börner implores
designers to follow their passions in the
same way.
“The key, I think, is to try to
maintain an energetic practice, to focus
on the love of your work, to be inventive
and enthusiastic with all projects you’re
involved with,” she adds. “Hopefully you
will get the opportunity to work
on meaningful projects and to show
your skills.”COMPUTERARTS.CREATIVEBLOQ.COMPETRA BÖRNER
PRINT DESIGN FOR BRITISH FASHION LABEL QASIMI
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