Influenced by the small things in life, her

neighbourhood and nature, the work of Esther Sandler

of Togetherness Design captures little collections of

everyday delights in textiles, ceramics

and painted artworks.

Can we hear more about the inspiration behind your brand Togetherness Design and how it came about?

Togetherness began as a small side project for me while I was studying textile design at University. I started out making brooches and purses and now nine years later have expanded into the world of pattern focused garments, homewares and accessories as well as ceramic jewellery and vessels. As a textile designer by trade I infuse all aspects of Togetherness with a pattern and hand illustrated touches and aim to make products that are playful and light-hearted, to bring a little bit of colour and joy into daily life.

The outside world, both flowers and animals, plays a huge part in your concepts. Can we ask where this love of the outdoors came from, and do you think this need for nature will be even more important with the way this year has been?

Nature, the seasons and the growth of plant life is a huge inspiration in my work and this comes from a love of gardening, bushwalks and exploring my neighbourhood. Immersing myself in nature is a restorative thing and gets me away from the day to day of answering emails and making product - it grounds me and helps me reset. Walks are important when I am having creative blocks and I find comfort watching plants move and change throughout the year. I like to think that I am bringing a little bit of the outdoors inside through my work and providing a moment of pause and connection back to nature, which is increasingly important - particularly this year!

Your designs feature such fun and playful depictions of everyday items. What is it about the little things you find inspiring as a basis for your work?

My work is influenced by daily life and rituals so I can help but be influenced by whatever is happening in my life at that time be it through depicting objects I love, plants or taking inspiration from a holiday. I don't know if it is perhaps slightly unimaginative to have a small range of focus like this, but I believe its important to paint and draw what makes me happy, and I believe that is what shows through in the artwork. I like giving focus and attention to detail to often overlooked areas, so that every part of a garment or ceramic piece is carefully considered and deliberate. The little things add up to make a bigger thing more special.

We love your whimsical use of pattern and how it translates across everything from ceramics to socks! How important is choosing a mix of different media for your work?

The truth behind this is that I get bored doing the same thing over and over again and like to challenge myself by exploring different media. Pattern is my one true love and I feel that textile / surface design is the perfect flexible discipline that allows for this type of experimentation and exploration. Having a mix of products for sale also helps me in my business life as it means that my work can appeal to a broader range of people. There is no surface that I wouldn't consider designing for!

You can find more of Esther’s work at Togethernessdesign.com