Designer Interview: Q & A With Sharla Fults
Today we’re excited to continue the new series on the Studioe blog! Over the next several weeks, we will be sharing exclusive interviews with the designers for Studioe. The designer being interviewed today is the wonderful Sharla Fults. Learn more about who she is and how she creates.
Q. Where are you from? Where did you grow up? Where do you live?
A. I grew up in Kalamazoo, Michigan and live in Carmel, Indiana.
Q. Family? Pets?
A. I have a very creative 8 year old son and a 12 year old Swiss Mountain dog/Rottweiler mix, plus Freddie the Guinea Pig!
Q. Background as far as education and jobs?
A. I have a Bachelor’s Degree in Graphic Design from Western Michigan University. I have taken numerous courses to further my education at The Kalamazoo Art Center (Drawing), Kalamazoo Community College (Desktop Publishing and Adobe Illustrator), Indianapolis Art Center (Painting and Stone Sculpture), plus many workshops to further my Photoshop and Macintosh skills. I also taught a few semesters of Photoshop at the Indianapolis Art Center. My 11 year anniversary as owner and founder of Sharla Fults Designs will be coming up on March 25th! Before I began my Art Licensing business, I held Senior Designer and Management positions at two paper tableware companies and one calendar publishing agency. As a way to supplement income during my startup years, I waited tables at an upscale Italian Restaurant (they had amazing food) called “Enricos”.
Q. What other products do you license for?
A. Decorative Flags, Gift Boxes and Bags, Greeting Cards, Kitchen and Bath Textiles, Ceramic Tabletop, Kitchen hard goods (i.e. Cutting Boards and Coasters), Melamine and Wood Holiday Décor, Decorative Tins.
Q. What inspires your lines?
A. I love color, texture and fashion. I enjoy creating characters with lots of personality, almost as if they are coming to life.
Q. Do you have a special place where you get your best work done?
A. My Studio and Outdoor Living Space.
Q. Do you have a memorable licensing or designing moments?
A. Being photographed at the Atlanta Gift Show with my Ceramic Tabletop collection.
Q. Lessons learned over the years?
A. Be ready for anything in this business and prepare for the highs as well as the lows. Make it about the joy of creating art that you love!
Q. What do you like about fabric?
A. Although I don’t sew, I like the wide diversity of fabric in terms of surface design, color and texture. Fabric is used widely in the home and fashion, it reflects that person’s taste and style.
Q. How do you choose colors?
A. I do a lot of research at shows, online and in the stores. I usually choose colors that really resonate with me and that I think will be well received by the retailer, as well as the person purchasing the product.