At Helen Round, we believe passionately in supporting emerging creative talent — giving new illustrators, makers, and designers the opportunity to see their work brought to life as a product and out into the world. It’s something we feel strongly about, and we’re always looking for ways to collaborate with the next generation of creatives.
This is how we came to work with Dylan — a talented local illustrator behind our Forager Collection, a range of hand-printed linen pieces inspired by the botanicals of the Cornish hedgerow. Dylan is currently in their final year of Illustration at Plymouth University, and the Forager designs were created as part of a collaborative university module exploring visual activism and sustainability. We talked about botanical drawing, creative influences, and what it feels like to see their work printed on linen.
The Forager Collection is available now — shop the range here.
Illustration & Inspiration
How did you first come to collaborate with Helen Round on the Forager Collection?
The illustrations were part of my university module ‘Technique and Approach’, which required a collaborative task with elements of visual activism linked to the United Nations Global Goals. Helen and her team are highly passionate about sustainability and caring for the environment, so I was really lucky to have the opportunity to work with them.
Tell us a little about your background as an illustrator — how long have you been drawing, and what drew you to it?
I’ve been drawing for as long as I can remember — it’s always helped me relax and wind down. I practise with many mediums but I always tend to gravitate back to line-work. I draw every day whenever I can.
Plymouth University has helped me develop a more professional approach and create a consistent style for myself, as well as exploring different mediums and approaches. The more outlandish you can be, the better.
Who are your biggest creative influences?
The list could probably fill a few books! I’m very attracted to the styles of art nouveau and comic artists such as Hugo Pratt and Robert Valley. I must also mention that I’m a huge fan of Roger Dean — the worlds he creates have especially inspired me to draw more landscapes and natural scenes.
The Forager Designs
When you received the brief for the Forager Collection, where did you start?
When given the brief, I could really visualise a design that was simple but with a sophisticated air — but I had to really change from my usual drawing process to capture that delicate feel of the previous Helen Round products. I used a mixture of real-life photos and images I found online for references, but the compositions are very much their own — not straight copies.
Do you have a favourite design from the collection?
My favourite is the elderflower, but I enjoyed drawing the blackberries and rosehips much more because of the larger shapes — there was something very satisfying about them.
What was it like to see the finished designs printed on linen?
Really satisfying. Since the drawings were made on a computer, it’s lovely for them to be finally brought into the physical world. I’ve worked on other products before — my first was the label and logo for Sail Trade South West — and it’s a really special thing to see a brand represent itself with something you created. Even when you’re no longer working with them, your mark is always there.
Life, Foraging & What’s Next
The collection is inspired by Cornish hedgerow botanicals — are you a forager yourself?
I wouldn’t consider myself a full-on forager, but when I can, I like to collect herbs to make tea with or for seasoning, and I grow quite a few plants in my flat. In my dream home, I would love to have a whole garden to grow my own fruits and vegetables.
Any advice for other illustration students trying to get their work out there?
Word of mouth can go a long way — ask around, there are always new and amazing people to meet.
What’s next for you?
I’m going to take a different direction and focus on fashion design. I’m very excited to create and see something different.
The Forager Collection — inspired by the botanicals of the Cornish hedgerow, hand-printed on linen. Shop the collection here.
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