Meet Lucy’s mum! - The artist behind Aitch Jay Designs
And a warm hello from the artist who forgot to introduce herself in all the excitement of Lucy’s upcoming arrival and her brindle story!
Welcome — I’m Heather, the designer behind Aitch Jay Designs!
Before we go any further, I should probably acknowledge something: In my excitement to announce Lucy’s upcoming arrival, I completely forgot to introduce myself properly! So please consider this post the “official hello” that should have come first!
I create surface patterns, illustrations, and cohesive collections inspired by the colours, textures, and quiet beauty of Western Australia’s south coast and the everyday world around me. My work blends clean, modern motifs with a gentle, nature‑driven aesthetic, designed for fabric, wallpaper, stationery, and home décor.
Where the Name “Aitch Jay Designs” Comes From
My studio name is a small piece of personal history.
It comes from my first two initials: H and J, but instead of writing them plainly, I chose to spell them the way they’re spoken:
H → “Aitch”
J → “Jay”
When I was much younger, someone used to call me Aitch - I can’t remember who now - but when it came time to choose a name for my design studio, it felt natural to bring that little piece of my past forward!
Where I Create
My home in Albany, Western Australia sits on the peninsula south of the town, surrounded by rugged coastline and stretches of white sandy beaches. The landscape here shifts with the weather — jade‑green water on calm days, soft neutrals and warm sand under the sun, moody teal and cool greys when the clouds roll in. Those colours appear again and again in my work, whether I’m creating a nursery collection, a botanical repeat, or a playful novelty print.
Living on a five‑acre bush block adds another layer of inspiration. The environment is calm and spacious, full of small details that spark ideas: native plants, wildlife and birdlife, shifting light, textured bushland, and the steady rhythm of the ocean waves in the distance. It’s the perfect backdrop for building patterns that feel both modern and organic.
And while I have a great studio space here, I actually spend most of my time drawing outdoors in the garden. I like being able to watch the birds and the weather as I work, and there’s something really relaxing about sketching in the fresh air…
My Design Style
I gravitate toward clean, minimalist illustration with a soft, friendly feel. My motifs often begin as simple sketches before growing into structured, cohesive collections.
A few things you’ll see often in my work:
Nursery‑friendly motifs with gentle lines
Trend‑aligned palettes (buttermilk yellows, earthy neutrals, seafoam & teal, warm/cool sets)
Cohesive collection structures with hero prints + coordinates
Botanical and nature‑inspired themes
Playful yet polished repeat layouts
I love designs that feel fresh, approachable, and versatile — patterns that can live comfortably in a child’s room, a kitchen, a coastal home, on fabric or a piece of stationery.
What You’ll Find on This Blog
This blog is where I’ll share the creative process behind my patterns, the inspiration that shapes them, and the stories woven through my work.
Over the coming weeks and months, you’ll find posts about:
how I build a pattern from a single motif
behind‑the‑scenes workflow and tools
Spoonflower challenge entries
Minted submissions
pattern showcases and collection breakdowns
coastal inspiration from my surroundings
studio life
balancing surface pattern design with raising Lucy, and the adventures I hope to have together!
My aim is to create a blog that feels warm, informative, and creatively energising — a place where new designs come to life, and a brindle puppy quietly (or most likely chaotically!) becomes a part of the story.
If there’s a topic you’d like me to explore in a future post, I’d love to hear from you in the Comments section below!
