Ellen- I studied Fine Art and Graphic Design at University and I really enjoyed it, I worked in large format printing; working of signage, books and framing. Then I saw the job at BIDBI and here I am.
Ksenjia- At college I studied Graphic Communications and then I went on to study Illustration at Uni, I really wanted to go into it for my work, so I joined BIDBI.
Lauren- My background is in illustration. In my foundation year at university we studied all types of printing, but in my degree, I focussed on screenprint so moving to BIDBI to screenprint seemed like the right natural progression.
E- My favourite type of printing is screen print. Especially Japanese screen prints. They’re so cool.
K- I’d have to say screen printing, because it has such a good finish. But I also love mono printing, it gives you such a cool textured finish.
L- I love lino printing because it’s so satisfying carving the blocks (even if you do end up injuring yourself). And also, screenprint is such a lovely type of print.
E- My favourite artists have to be Mel Kadel and Travis Millard who are illustrators and just have an amazing style that I love. Also, there’s a business called Tugboat Printshop who make really cool print blocks that are gorgeous.
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K- I really like Marina Abramović she’s a performance artist who focusses on feminism, endurance and limits of the body, she’s quite graphic but it’s so clever how she works. And I also love Wassily Kandinsky who is a Russian abstract artist.
L- Teagan White (
@teaganwh
) is an amazing painter, her work is just so beautiful. She’s had lots of her designs screen and digitally printed, and they look gorgeous.
E- It’s so fun, I love being in charge of my own machine. I’ve been here for a while now but I’m still learning every day because every job and type of print is so different. It’s never boring working at BIDBI.
K- It’s good, I love that it’s really hands on, in that we’re on our feet really getting stuck in. I work in creating the screens to be used for screen printing, and it’s great being to make my own schedule to organise making the screens. And I love how much I’ve learnt, it’s nice being able to explain what I do to new starters and colleagues in different departments.
L- I love it, it’s a really relaxed environment because everyone is so chilled out, but when it does get busy everyone works really well at picking up the speed. Everyone is so supportive, as a new starter it’s great that everyone is so willing to help if I’m struggling with a task, and they will work with you to help you develop.
E - There’s something different to do every day, every job is different and comes with its own challenges and problems to overcome. I’m learning something new everyday and that keeps it exciting.
K – I just like getting all messy, covered in ink and grafting over an order and seeing a perfect, pristine bag at the end, it’s just a really satisfying feeling.
L- Definitely seeing the final print. When you’re screenprinting multiple colours or layers watching them, all be added is so cool, it’s really exciting to see the final product come together.
E – I think it stems from there already being a lot of men in the industry. It’s seen as being industrial and stigmatised as a “male” job. But I do think it’s changing the field of art/illustration is definitely becoming more female and with that print is becoming a more female industry.
K – Because it is such a male dominated industry it is intimidating as a woman to try and place yourself there. Women are less inclined to just go for it because of this stigmatism. It’s a big deal if you’re not confident in yourself.
L- I think from the outside it’s seen as being industrial and historically women wouldn’t be working with heavy machinery.
E- To be honest I don’t feel any different to if I were a man in print. We’re just one big team, and we all respect each other. I’m not treated any different because I’m a woman.
K- Well, we’re not different to the boys at work. We just do our job the same as everyone else, we’re all equal.
L- I didn’t realise there was such an imbalance, when I was at uni my course was 70:30 women. I think Men have a bigger voice in the industry. But I am glad to be a woman in print representing the ladies, and I think there is a shift where more women are seeing it as an avenue.
