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An innovative new designer has stepped back into the Cumbrian creative scene after seven years of Scottish life, ready to make her mark in her home county.
By focusing on all aspects of design; from farm shops to fashion brands, web sites to wall art, Jili Allen is the creative force to push your business forward.
Having grown up in the village of Shap, this stormy economic climate is seen merely as an opportunity for growth for this well-weathered girl. From Morland COE, Jili earned scholarships to both Casterton and Sedbergh Schools before heading north to Edinburgh and gaining a First Class Honours in Product Design.
During this time, Jili worked three jobs, and was lucky enough to be awarded the Napier scholarship and the University Class Medal.
Jili was headhunted from University by new headphone brand Audio Chi before moving onward and upward to Glasgow to work with entrepreneur Michelle Mone OBE on her various brands, from beauty to fashion couture, and most famously, the Ultimo lingerie brand.
With a love of design, art and anything creative; she is a talented hand-drawer, finding it a valuable communicative tool, and as you would expect from any modern designer, Jili is well versed in the digital arts and now has web design to add to her list of services.
The skills developed throughout her degree were the building blocks for design itself, and these have only been amplified throughout her career. Even though educated in Product Design (bringing to mind kettles and lamps) there was a flexibility that allowed Jili to learn many subjects including Design for Business, 2D and 3D visualisation, Graphic Design, Mechanical Engineering and also follow her love of Fashion.
This culminated in six months studying in Paris, and doing a placement in the Paris bureau of American Vogue.
Jili is a very determined person yet, as a creative, constantly thinking of ways to make processes more efficient. Whether graphics, advertising, service, product or otherwise; Jili seeks to unleash her creativity upon the world.
Jili spoke about the importance of a well rounded creative. She said: “Experience in all modes of design allows the designer to truly appreciate the complexity of a project. Perspective, solutions and communication are at the heart of any design.”
The importance of branding and ‘standing out from the crowd’ is growing more prevalent every day.
And with so many platforms through which to promote yourself, it can be a long and arduous journey for the un-initiated, Jili added: “Regardless of having the perfect product, superior service or an inventive idea; a brand must evolve with the world around it to survive. If your branding is not in tune with today’s consumer, your product will inevitably pass them by. Don’t let it happen to you. Get a fresh perspective, get a problem solver. Get a designer.”
For more information, or if you have a branding dilemma, Jili can be contacted via her website www.jiliallen.com .
