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Justine Missen is a Melbourne based designer whose work is focused primarily on pattern and customized design for the spatial environment (we found her through the
Flash Photobition wallpaper competition). With a background in painting, photography and advertising, Justine seems to have found her niche creating site-based graphic pieces for a range environments including product photoshoots, bars, shopping centres and even an airport. The range of her work is impressive, ranging from intricate yardage patterns and whimsical paintings to bold environmental installations that seem to easily merge the boundaries between 2d and 3d design. Here’s her story.
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How did you come to be doing what you do? (eg. study, work experience etc…)
My career has developed very organically. I started out at art school majoring in painting, then moved onto computer-based graphic design primarily as a practical way of channeling my creative skills into a career. At art school they only introduced computer-based design the final year I was there, so I basically taught myself through trial and error and doing jobs for friends. My first real job in the field of design was for a company that was horribly managed but highly creative – I learnt a lot through the chaos of that place and found that I also had a great interest in the strategic side of creative planning and implementation, as well as copywriting in the field of branding, marketing and design. That led to a diploma in photojournalism, award school and some time working in new york. Between 2000 and 2003 I honed my strategic skills and really enjoyed taking projects from initial brief to a visual result – I think it’s the mixture of left and right brain that makes it so rewarding for me (I loved maths and science at school!). In 2003 I moved to Melbourne and started my own business working for fashion clients designing placement graphics and yardage prints. My interest in yardage design led to interior design and wallpaper and that’s where my main focus is now. The scale of environmental graphics and the spacial relationship it has with people gives me a real buzz. My career in design has always surprised me with new direction and areas of interest.
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(above) Crane, Artwork applied digitally to product shoot.
(above) Scribble, Artwork applied digitally to product shoot.
(above) Crossing the Desert, Digital Wallpaper.
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Describe a typical working day?
I don’t really have a typical working day. Because I still work in many different areas, every day is different – I might be drawing on paper, researching trends, gathering resource and reference material, designing prints people will be wearing a year from now, referring to my beloved thesaurus for inspiration for a new positioning line or company name, illustrating pet food packaging or a corporate advertising campaign, editing copy for a website or looking for new business opportunities. I have to say the day always starts with coffee and a cuddle with my dog. I am always making to do lists at the start of the day as well. I find it’s important to have a bit of structure when you work for yourself to maintain motivation.
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(above) Surfing Lapin, Artwork applied digitally to product shoot.
(above) Shitake, Artwork applied digitally to product shoot.
(above) Red Balloon, Personal photography.
Can you give us a brief rundown of your creative process?
Every project is different. I like to take a strategic approach though, making certain that I have a clear understanding of the target audience and the purpose of the design. There is no point creating something wonderful if it doesn’t fulfill the desired objective. With this strategic understanding established, that is when I let intuition and creative inspiration unfold. For me it’s like a have to set the parameters of the project first so I know what I’m working to, then I can be as free as I like within those boundaries. I constantly check mentally if I am on brief. Sometimes you create something amazing but it’s not on track – this is when you have to let the ego go and not be precious – you can always come back to that creation and see if can be used for something else. This is all part of the creative process though – it always twists and weaves. The best moments for me are when accidents happen – sometimes the best results are completely unintended.
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(above) Jungl, Yardage design for upholstery and fashion fabrics.
Where do you look for inspiration?
Pretty much everywhere. I love it when art happens naturally – in either urban or natural environments. I have always enjoyed taking photos of textures and compositions that to me have an accidental beauty. I think the natural order of things creates art in a way that humans are always trying to emulate, but rarely achieve with the same purity. I also think there are some fantastic blogs now that are really inspiring – I admire the time and effort people put into these sites for the love of sharing art and design. Japanese design has always been a big inspiration for me and I always refer back to my favorite artists. There are also some incredible illustrators and street artists these days that just blow me away. I have always loved subversive design – from punk fanzines and political posters to artists like Twist, Phil Frost and Miss Van who started their careers colouring in the urban environment.
(above) Antique Rose, Artwork for children’s store ‘Mill & Mia’, Melbourne, Australia.
(above) Japon, Artwork for children’s store ‘Mill & Mia’, Melbourne, Australia.
(above) Red Cap, Artwork for children’s store ‘Mill & Mia’, Melbourne, Australia.
(above) Kruder, Artwork from exhibition ‘Forgery’, 2003, Sydney, Australia.
Who do you admire creatively?
Some of my favourite artists are Australian – Rosalie Gascoigne, Emily Kame Kngwarreye, Brett Whiteley. I admire people who forge new ground and develop their style based on their personal inspiration and vision.
(above) Melbourne’s GP, Laser cut vinyl in MGPO, high end fashion destination.
What has been a career highight?
I would have to say working on large scale projects – like Melbourne’s GPO, Changi airport in Singapore, Tweed Shire Sustainability Centre and Melbourne’s International Arts Festival. I like people interacting with the work I create – I like the idea that those pieces become a part of so much daily human activity. I guess for me it’s the accessibility of art that has a great effect. Not everyone goes to art galleries, but people can be unexpectedly inspired by art or pattern in the environment.
(above) Changi International Airport, Vinyl transfer on glass dividing wall, Singapore.
Can you share a goal with us for the future?
My goal is to continue working with pattern and design in interiors and environments. I would love to design large scale patterns for materials like concrete facades or walkways, metal or plastic. Architecture and interior design now is so exciting with the endless availability of new materials. My goal is also to travel and work overseas again, with a focus in this field of design.
(above) Tweed Shire, Illustration for Sustainability Centre, Tweed Shire 2008
(above) Tweed Shire, Illustration for Sustainability Centre, Tweed Shire 2008
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What are you reading at the moment?
Salman Rushdie’s ‘Midnight’s Children’.
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What’s your favourite piece of furniture?
My favourite piece that I actually own is probably a danish chest of drawers I bought in Sydney years ago. There were originally a pair and I think one of my life’s only regrets is that I didn’t get both! The piece I would like to own most is probably an Eileen Grey daybed or the Sapien Bookcase by Bruno Rainaldi.
(above) Melbourne International Arts Festival, Artist’s Lounge, Black Box Theatre 
(above) Chandelier, Rug design for Tsar Rug Gallery, Melbourne, Australia.
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