I'M ARTI, A SOFTLINES DESIGNER
welcome, friend
I am a plush toy and doll's clothes designer with a fashion background and a love for all things soft and cosy.
Beginning my plush toy design work as a teenager, my first foray into the industry involved making custom commissions of well known characters; this honed my ability to maintain the likeness of a character, a skill which is integral in my work today. It was at this stage that I discovered my fascination with technical patterning - watching a flat pattern transform into a 3D object with volume, tactility and dimension and then tinkering and tweaking it to get the perfect shape was, and still is, by far my favourite part of the design process.
Patterning unique and bespoke 3D shapes informed my work during my degree in Fashion and Textiles, with many of my fashion designs featuring plush toy-like elements - my final collection included a pink faux fur coat covered in teddy bears, which caught the attention of Hilary Alexander OBE during Graduate Fashion Week. During my degree I also discovered a deep passion for sustainability within textiles. This led me to become a semi-finalist in the 2018 cycle of the Redress Design Award - the world’s largest sustainable fashion competition - and my enthusiasm for sustainable textiles has only grown since.
I started Arti By Design in October 2021 after becoming interested in bridging the gap between toy designers and manufacturers. Softlines sampling for toys is rare in the UK; I aim to resolve the pain points of working with the majority of samplers, who typically work abroad within large-scale factories; Arti By Design was created to provide faster turnarounds, lower wait times, and more personal and in-depth service to anybody with a plush toy idea.
The magic is made in sunny Southsea, UK, where I have lived for the last 10 years. If I’m not in my studio, then you can find me browsing the local charity and antique shops for treasures, watching live music or creating wobbly amateur ceramics by the beach.
about me
Our project will begin with a meeting to discuss what exactly you envision your project being made from and desired embellishment (i.e machine embroidery, dye sublimation, screen printing), which will inform my sourcing and I will send fabric samples to you for your consideration.
For most projects, I use Shannon Smooth Cuddle Plush (also known as soft boa or velboa), but I'm not limited to that! My fashion background has honed my knowledge of various fabrics, from specialty fabrics such as neoprene (strong, stretchy and perfect for toys that need to withstand a bit of roughhousing) to luxury deep-pile faux furs, to sustainable fabrics, such as hemp fleece and vegetable leathers. I am an alumni of the Redress Design Award - the world’s largest sustainable fashion competition - and have a network of professionals within the sustainable textile industry willing to give advice on how to make our project greener.
Innovative pattern cutting techniques are the backbone of my work and I will always design a pattern from scratch to fit the brief. Our project begins with a bespoke sewing pattern which is used to cut out the fabric.
Zero-waste pattern cutting is available as a greener plush toy design option; this involves designing a sewing pattern that uses the entire sheet of fabric and leaves no scrap fabric or offcuts behind. I am always eager to connect with designers who are interested in making the toy industry greener, so do let me know if you would like to hear more about this.
The patterning stage is then followed up by around 2-3 rounds of prototyping. This is where the detail, shape and dimensions of your concept start to become tangible. I will tailor the pattern after each prototype as per your feedback, working with you to ensure that the 3D elements of your design are fully faithful to your vision.
The last step of the project. I will produce a high-fidelity sample of your plush toy design using the final intended fabrics and embellishments (i.e machine embroidery), completing the process of bringing your concept to life.
Arti By Design is a B2B toy design service. Occupying an uncommon space in the UK toy industry, the business is dedicated to streamlining the process of taking toys from 2D to 3D by making high-fidelity bespoke samples of softlines toy concepts (i.e plush toys, doll’s clothes and furnishings). Read on to hear more about the process!
Finding the perfect fabric selection is the first step. I pride myself on using quality materials and strongly believe that a sample is only as good as it’s material selection; I attend fabric trade shows regularly and have an extensive catalogue of fabric samples on-hand to aid the textile selection process.
sample
pattern
prototype
sourcing
services
- Machine Embroidery
- Dye sublimation
- Screen printing
I have recently expanded Arti By Design to encompass sustainable processes - something which I am very excited about! So far this includes:
Eco Friendly Dyes
Natural dyes such as indigo, woad, marigold and lily of the valley can produce a whole host of beautiful colours without the use of toxic chemicals.
Eco Friendly Sourcing
Fabrics that I have worked with include hemp, vegetable leathers and faux furs made from recycled plastic bottles. Being an alumni of the Redress Network, I can also enquire with their suppliers about obtaining innovative new sustainable materials that are yet to hit the market.
Zero Waste Pattern Cutting
This innovative technique involves designing a pattern that uses up the entire sheet of fabric and leaving no wastage - making it both sustainable and economical.
I also have access to promotion across all of Redress’ social media channels - so when your green toy project hits the shelves, Redress will be cheering us on along the way.
SUSTAINABLE PROCESSES
PROCESSES
- Sampling - rush service at peak times available
- Illustration / concept art
- Conceptualising
portfolio
Companies I partnered with as a Plush Toy Sampler.
my work:
Though the majority of my work is under NDA and therefore can’t be shown, here is a selection of products that were either taken to market (and are therefore now in the public domain, voiding the NDA) or self-initiated by me. Every project is patterned and sewn by me.
“Bean Boy” is my own concept and creation. A 24 inch long plush toy dog directed at the wellness plush market, he is full of tactile sensory elements. From his thick plush fur to his tactile leatherette “toe beans” and comforting large size and heavy weight, he is designed to reduce anxiety in both children and adults.
This range, called “Lushies”, was worked in conjunction with Steve Wampold of Punchkins. Working from his illustrations and brief, I have created three samples which feature machine embroidery and Shannon Cuddle Smooth fabric.
testimonials
"We recently commissioned Arti for some fashion inspiration and sketches for a new girls brand. She was just fantastic to work with; friendly, enthusiastic, creative and fast! We would definitely use her again on future projects and highly recommend her."
– Katie Gristwood
"Arti is fantastic, i was recommended Arti via Fi Murray and had the best experience. Arti was very proactive and details focussed, her communication was clear and so i understood exactly what i was going to get, but it came out better. I am very happy with the designs and samples Arti had produced for me and this has enabled me to move my project much further than i would have without her. I am now looking for the next project to work together on."
– Alys Dawson, Director of Product, Creative & Marketing Services at Rainbow Designs
"Arti is a talented and conscientious designer and a true professional I am happy to recommend to anyone seeking a soft sculptor with a natural instinct for the toy business.
I reached out to her recently on a first project together and could not have been happier with the results.
The project involved taking a previous iteration of a soft plush concept and updating it with new parameters, improved aesthetics, and added functionality on a tight timeline.
I approached Arti because I had a sense that she had great instincts for this type of project (high priority on soft sculpting adorable and proprietary characters) and was not disappointed.
She was ready with strategic suggestions for helping us trim timing while also making the most of every step in the process. So when the project expanded (by a third) from the initial brief, this did not impact our process or cause delay.
In fact, due to her openness, insight and operational efficiencies - the process was an ideally collaborative one, with shared ideas building towards an optimal, timely and functional finish.
I really hope the prototypes we generated together make it into market soon – as I can’t wait to show them off and promote Arti and her work further."
– Mary Lenehan, Award Winning Product Development & Design
faq
Remote working is a wonderful thing! I have worked with clients from all over the world and have no restrictions on the location of my clients.
Not yet, but I am looking to partner with UK-based factories in the future. Watch this space!
Unfortunately not! I did in the past, but I am now strictly B2B; I work with toy companies and inventors who are seeking samples to aid in taking a concept to market.
Though the majority of my work is within softlines design and sampling, I have also worked across areas such as conceptual illustration and graphics for t shirts and soft furnishings. Like most creatives, I have a variety of skills and am a great multitasker, so do get in touch if you think I’d be a good fit for your project.
This does depend on the size of the project; as a rough guide, it can be anywhere from 2 weeks to a month. The best way to gauge how long a project will take is to send me a brief or arrange a meeting with me, which can be done through emailing me at hello@artibydesign.com.
Yes! The flexible nature of my business means I can make you a sample with a turnaround as low as 1 week - even if you’re based abroad. Message me to work something out!
Do you only work within softlines – i.e plush toys and doll’s clothes?
What are your turnaround times?
I need a sample ASAP! Do you offer a rush service?
Do you work with international clients, or are you strictly UK-based?
Do you work with manufacturers to mass-produce plush toys?
Do you take custom one-off commissions i.e pets, original characters?
contact me
If you'd like to discuss a project with me, simply complete the Contact Form below:
let's work together!
"Arti is a rare talent - 3D plush sampling in the UK is a dying craft and Arti is keeping it alive with her incredible creations. Her communication throughout a project is professional and clear - her sampling skills are fantastic. I can't wait to work with Arti again."
– Fi Murray
"Put simply, Arti is brilliant. I’ve been on the hunt for someone to help with 3D plush sampling in the UK for a long while and here she is. Amazing vision, skill, and creativity to create intricate plush solutions and on top of that, her communication is fantastic. I will definitely be using Arti again and can’t wait to brief her on the next creation."
– Alex Reynolds, Head Of Research And Development
at Casdon
"Arti is a pleasure to work with. I engaged Arti to do some plush sampling for a new concept in plush toys and the experience was great. She was communicative, reliable, and timely. The designs and samples we received were first-rate and leap frogged our internal development timeline. I'm looking forward to working with Arti again soon."
– Steve Wampold, Founder at Punchkins
"Arti is fun to work with, understands the project brief, has attention to detail and delivers quickly. Being new to the ‘how’ of soft toy design and creation, Arti answered all of my questions. I received two versions of ‘Oxy’ my cuddle monster toy instead of one. I’m delighted."
– Mandy Ward
As a part of my new branding for 2024, I have created a brand mascot - me! “Arti” is made entirely from upcycled and biodegradable materials; her hair and body is made from merino wool, her dress is linen and her boots are crafted from a leather remnant and feature 3D printed chunky soles. She is designed, patterned and sewn by me.
Accompanying “Arti” for my branding overhaul is my new Plushie Banner logo; also made from merino wool, each letter is a 3D plush toy which has been entirely designed, patterned and made by me.
I'M ARTI, A SOFTLINES DESIGNER
welcome, friend
I am a plush toy and doll's clothes designer with a fashion background and a love for all things soft and cosy.
Beginning my plush toy design work as a teenager, my first foray into the industry involved making custom commissions of well known characters; this honed my ability to maintain the likeness of a character, a skill which is integral in my work today. It was at this stage that I discovered my fascination with technical patterning - watching a flat pattern transform into a 3D object with volume, tactility and dimension and then tinkering and tweaking it to get the perfect shape was, and still is, by far my favourite part of the design process.
Patterning unique and bespoke 3D shapes informed my work during my degree in Fashion and Textiles, with many of my fashion designs featuring plush toy-like elements - my final collection included a pink faux fur coat covered in teddy bears, which caught the attention of Hilary Alexander OBE during Graduate Fashion Week. During my degree I also discovered a deep passion for sustainability within textiles. This led me to become a semi-finalist in the 2018 cycle of the Redress Design Award - the world’s largest sustainable fashion competition - and my enthusiasm for sustainable textiles has only grown since.
I started Arti By Design in October 2021 after becoming interested in bridging the gap between toy designers and manufacturers. Softlines sampling for toys is rare in the UK; I aim to resolve the pain points of working with the majority of samplers, who typically work abroad within large-scale factories; Arti By Design was created to provide faster turnarounds, lower wait times, and more personal and in-depth service to anybody with a plush toy idea.
The magic is made in sunny Southsea, UK, where I have lived for the last 10 years. If I’m not in my studio, then you can find me browsing the local charity and antique shops for treasures, watching live music or creating wobbly amateur ceramics by the beach.
about me
Arti By Design is a B2B toy design service. Occupying an uncommon space in the UK toy industry, the business is dedicated to streamlining the process of taking toys from 2D to 3D by making high-fidelity bespoke samples of softlines toy concepts (i.e plush toys, doll’s clothes and furnishings). Read on to hear more about the process!
Finding the perfect fabric selection is the first step. I pride myself on using quality materials and strongly believe that a sample is only as good as it’s material selection; I attend fabric trade shows regularly and have an extensive catalogue of fabric samples on-hand to aid the textile selection process.
Our project will begin with a meeting to discuss what exactly you envision your project being made from and desired embellishment (i.e machine embroidery, dye sublimation, screen printing), which will inform my sourcing and I will send fabric samples to you for your consideration.
For most projects, I use Shannon Smooth Cuddle Plush (also known as soft boa or velboa), but I'm not limited to that! My fashion background has honed my knowledge of various fabrics, from specialty fabrics such as neoprene (strong, stretchy and perfect for toys that need to withstand a bit of roughhousing) to luxury deep-pile faux furs, to sustainable fabrics, such as hemp fleece and vegetable leathers. I am an alumni of the Redress Design Award - the world’s largest sustainable fashion competition - and have a network of professionals within the sustainable textile industry willing to give advice on how to make our project greener.
Innovative pattern cutting techniques are the backbone of my work and I will always design a pattern from scratch to fit the brief. Our project begins with a bespoke sewing pattern which is used to cut out the fabric.
Zero-waste pattern cutting is available as a greener plush toy design option; this involves designing a sewing pattern that uses the entire sheet of fabric and leaves no scrap fabric or offcuts behind. I am always eager to connect with designers who are interested in making the toy industry greener, so do let me know if you would like to hear more about this.
The patterning stage is then followed up by around 2-3 rounds of prototyping. This is where the detail, shape and dimensions of your concept start to become tangible. I will tailor the pattern after each prototype as per your feedback, working with you to ensure that the 3D elements of your design are fully faithful to your vision.
The last step of the project. I will produce a high-fidelity sample of your plush toy design using the final intended fabrics and embellishments (i.e machine embroidery), completing the process of bringing your concept to life.
sample
sourcing
pattern
prototype
services
SUSTAINABLE PROCESSES
- Sampling - rush service at peak times available
- Illustration / concept art
- Conceptualising
- Machine Embroidery
- Dye sublimation
- Screen printing
PROCESSES
Eco Friendly Dyes
Natural dyes such as indigo, woad, marigold and lily of the valley can produce a whole host of beautiful colours without the use of toxic chemicals.
Eco Friendly Sourcing
Fabrics that I have worked with include hemp, vegetable leathers and faux furs made from recycled plastic bottles. Being an alumni of the Redress Network, I can also enquire with their suppliers about obtaining innovative new sustainable materials that are yet to hit the market.
Zero Waste Pattern Cutting
This innovative technique involves designing a pattern that uses up the entire sheet of fabric and leaving no wastage - making it both sustainable and economical.
portfolio
Companies I partnered with as a Plush Toy Sampler.
my work:
Though the majority of my work is under NDA and therefore can’t be shown, here is a selection of products that were either taken to market (and are therefore now in the public domain, voiding the NDA) or self-initiated by me. Every project is patterned and sewn by me.
“Bean Boy” is my own concept and creation. A 24 inch long plush toy dog directed at the wellness plush market, he is full of tactile sensory elements. From his thick plush fur to his tactile leatherette “toe beans” and comforting large size and heavy weight, he is designed to reduce anxiety in both children and adults.
This range, called “Lushies”, was worked in conjunction with Steve Wampold of Punchkins. Working from his illustrations and brief, I have created three samples which feature machine embroidery and Shannon Cuddle Smooth fabric.
testimonials
"We recently commissioned Arti for some fashion inspiration and sketches for a new girls brand. She was just fantastic to work with; friendly, enthusiastic, creative and fast! We would definitely use her again on future projects and highly recommend her."
– Katie Gristwood
"Arti is fantastic, i was recommended Arti via Fi Murray and had the best experience. Arti was very proactive and details focussed, her communication was clear and so i understood exactly what i was going to get, but it came out better. I am very happy with the designs and samples Arti had produced for me and this has enabled me to move my project much further than i would have without her. I am now looking for the next project to work together on."
– Alys Dawson, Director of Product, Creative & Marketing Services at Rainbow Designs
"Put simply, Arti is brilliant. I’ve been on the hunt for someone to help with 3D plush sampling in the UK for a long while and here she is. Amazing vision, skill, and creativity to create intricate plush solutions and on top of that, her communication is fantastic. I will definitely be using Arti again and can’t wait to brief her on the next creation."
– Alex Reynolds, Head Of Research And Development at Casdon
"Arti is a talented and conscientious designer and a true professional I am happy to recommend to anyone seeking a soft sculptor with a natural instinct for the toy business.
I reached out to her recently on a first project together and could not have been happier with the results.
The project involved taking a previous iteration of a soft plush concept and updating it with new parameters, improved aesthetics, and added functionality on a tight timeline.
I approached Arti because I had a sense that she had great instincts for this type of project (high priority on soft sculpting adorable and proprietary characters) and was not disappointed.
She was ready with strategic suggestions for helping us trim timing while also making the most of every step in the process. So when the project expanded (by a third) from the initial brief, this did not impact our process or cause delay.
In fact, due to her openness, insight and operational efficiencies - the process was an ideally collaborative one, with shared ideas building towards an optimal, timely and functional finish.
I really hope the prototypes we generated together make it into market soon – as I can’t wait to show them off and promote Arti and her work further."
– Mary Lenehan, Award Winning Product Development & Design
faq
Remote working is a wonderful thing! I have worked with clients from all over the world and have no restrictions on the location of my clients.
Not yet, but I am looking to partner with UK-based factories in the future. Watch this space!
Unfortunately not! I did in the past, but I am now strictly B2B; I work with toy companies and inventors who are seeking samples to aid in taking a concept to market.
Though the majority of my work is within softlines design and sampling, I have also worked across areas such as conceptual illustration and graphics for t shirts and soft furnishings. Like most creatives, I have a variety of skills and am a great multitasker, so do get in touch if you think I’d be a good fit for your project.
This does depend on the size of the project; as a rough guide, it can be anywhere from 2 weeks to a month. The best way to gauge how long a project will take is to send me a brief or arrange a meeting with me, which can be done through emailing me at hello@artibydesign.com.
Yes! The flexible nature of my business means I can make you a sample with a turnaround as low as 1 week - even if you’re based abroad. Message me to work something out!
Do you only work within softlines – i.e plush toys and doll’s clothes?
What are your turnaround times?
I need a sample ASAP! Do you offer a rush service?
Do you work with international clients, or are you strictly UK-based?
Do you work with manufacturers to mass-produce plush toys?
Do you take custom one-off commissions i.e pets, original characters?
contact me
If you'd like to discuss a project with me, simply complete the Contact Form below:
let's work together!
"Arti is a rare talent - 3D plush sampling in the UK is a dying craft and Arti is keeping it alive with her incredible creations. Her communication throughout a project is professional and clear - her sampling skills are fantastic. I can't wait to work with Arti again."
– Fi Murray
"Arti is a pleasure to work with. I engaged Arti to do some plush sampling for a new concept in plush toys and the experience was great. She was communicative, reliable, and timely. The designs and samples we received were first-rate and leap frogged our internal development timeline. I'm looking forward to working with Arti again soon."
– Steve Wampold, Founder at Punchkins
"Arti is fun to work with, understands the project brief, has attention to detail and delivers quickly. Being new to the ‘how’ of soft toy design and creation, Arti answered all of my questions. I received two versions of ‘Oxy’ my cuddle monster toy instead of one. I’m delighted."
– Mandy Ward
As a part of my new branding for 2024, I have created a brand mascot - me! “Arti” is made entirely from upcycled and biodegradable materials; her hair and body is made from merino wool, her dress is linen and her boots are crafted from a leather remnant and feature 3D printed chunky soles. She is designed, patterned and sewn by me.
Accompanying “Arti” for my branding overhaul is my new Plushie Banner logo; also made from merino wool, each letter is a 3D plush toy which has been entirely designed, patterned and made by me.
