Esther’s ‘real’ job was as a political media advisor. When she and her husband returned to her childhood property in the Australian bush to raise their kids, she took up designing merely as a creative outlet. She became entirely influenced by where she lived - not just by the breathtaking natural environment but also through a direct link with the memories and imaginings of her childhood in the Byron Bay hinterland. Growing up, her community was, and still is, counter-culture; brimming with artists, creatives, musicians, makers, mystics, wanderers from all over the globe who are journeying into other cultures looking for answers. Design is at the core of all these movements, and Esther feels lucky to be surrounded, and inspired by, people experimenting and making original, beautiful things.

Her design process includes drawing and painting on paper, then manipulating digitally where she aims to keep as much of the handmade feel and textural richness to her work as possible. She uses a combination of watercolor, ink work, gauche and textural overlays to give a rich, organic, hand-drawn feel.

Nowadays Esther lives and works in the Australian bush near Byron Bay with her husband and three little boys. And she still considers herself a political junkie.

At 49design all the artists are Indigenous.
49design began in 2015 and was focused on creating fleece apparel with tribal print fabric, and they gained an incredible following by attending powwows in the US and Canada.

All the designs are made in house by their Indigenous designers. Currently Victoria Scattergood from Metis District 4 in Alberta is the Design and Business Manager. Her ancestors are from the Red River Settlement and Great Lakes region. She graduated from the Alberta College of Art + Design (AuArts now) with a concentration in graphic design. All of her work is heavily influenced by the natural world, flora and fauna. She tends to lean to the floral and organic side of design and tries to ensure wolves are included in the designs.

Many of their geometric designs are created by the owners' partner behind the scenes. He has a vast knowledge of Indigenous cultures and draws his inspiration from many of the southern nations.

You can find them at http://49dzine.com/

And click on the link below to purchase our SWCHBAK using their artwork!

In 2009, Melissa embarked on her creative career after graduating from Art School with a BFA in Jewelry and Metals. Many years later, Melissa stumbled upon digital drawing and discovered that her years of creative problem-solving and attention to detail as a jeweller translated seamlessly into surface and pattern design.

Melissa is a Canadian artist from Calgary, Alberta. The city of Calgary is ideally situated between the prairies and the Rocky Mountains, providing endless opportunities to explore. Melissa finds inspiration for her designs going for nature walks with her three young sons, hunting for local wildflowers and gardening.

You can find her here:
https://www.melissapedersen.com/new-branch-studio

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/newbranchstudio/