Every year we love the creativity displayed by our participants and this series of Fun A Day Dundee stories aims to tell you a little bit about the people behind the projects and what FADD means to them. If you’d like to see more stories, please click here to visit the archive. Today we’re speaking with Lauren, who you may know as @howatdesigns.

1.) Please tell us a little about yourself and your creative work/hobbies…

I’m Lauren, I’m a Scottish freelance designer/illustrator based in Dundee, originally from a wee town in Dumfries & Galloway. In 2018 I opened my own Etsy shop, bringing my digital illustrations to life in the forms of cute n quirky illustrated gifts, ideal for kids and big kids at heart! My work is very fun and simple, less is always more!

2.) How did you hear about Fun A Day Dundee? 

I first heard about Fun A Day Dundee via Instagram, in 2017. It looked so fun and although I’ve always been a bit wary of sharing work, I told myself I would join in the next year, which I did! (Feel the fear and do it anyway!)

3.) Please tell us a little about projects you’ve made as part of FADD in previous years…I found it really difficult to pick my first FADD theme, I eventually settled on retro, nostalgic sweeties, those typically found in a good old Woolworth’s pick n mix! The outcomes were really fun, colourful and delicious, creating a mix of individual sweeties as well as cute repeat patterns.

My second project just so happened to also centre around food, the UK’s most loved biscuits, inspired by a programme on TV I watched over Christmas/New Year. From obvious classics to my local fave (if you’ve not had a Blobby biscuit you’re seriously missing out!) I loved this project so much; I would get sent random biscuit facts all the time; it was amazing!

4.) What are your favourite things about FADD?

I was originally excited to create illustrations I wouldn’t normally create and although there’s no pressure and it’s very relaxed it gave me the push/motivation I needed to complete 31 themed illustrations! I thought it was a great way to commit to a project and hold yourself accountable. (I’ve also been mocking up a cute biscuit range for my Etsy, I would love to do something with those illustrations, we’ll see!)

Seeing everyone’s work online and then IRL at the exhibition was really nice, and it was great to have the opportunity to show work (FADD was my first ‘exhibition’ since art school!) I’ve also met loads of lovely people and from someone that doesn’t have many creative pals it was really nice to become a part of the FADD community.

5.) What are you looking forward to about FAD2021?

It’ll be good to focus on something again, FAD is all about beating the blues and 2020 has definitely been a year of blues, every shade! I’ve not thought about it too much, but I think my future FADD projects will likely have a fun, nostalgic food theme! I just loved hearing everyone’s stories and memories around their favourite foods.

Thank you so much for sharing your FADD experiences with us, Lauren! We especially loved how your 2020 project opened up lots of conversations and sharing of biscuit facts! If you’d like to see more of Lauren’s work please check out her instagram and/or etsy shop.