Meet Karen
Photographer, Designer and Artist
Hi, I'm Karen
Designer, Artist and Photographer, founder and author of the 'You Do Design' Course and Design Consultancy Service, and extremely passionate about all aspects of design.
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My background is in Design, Photography and Art, I specialised in Fashion Design and Photography at Art College and went on to study Pattern Cutting. While at College I staged several solo fashion shows as well as contributing to Birmingham University's Fashion Show.
After College I worked in Greece for three years and then set up a bespoke Bridal and ball Gown business creating gowns for Brides, Mother of the Bride outfits and Bridesmaid dresses. My first child followed and as a single parent running the business wasn't practical.
You can't keep a creative person down though!
My second child arrived and I designed a unique baby product when he was a few months old which meant my intention to not work until he was at school went out of the window.
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I obtained two Registered Design's for the product the last one being an update to the first design and the second Design Registration I filed myself, learning all I could to gain a full understanding of the process including the what not to do's as well as the best way to do things.
I was very nervous when sent the last one off as you never if you've done it correctly until you get the certificate or the rejection.
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After successfully getting the first registration I pitched to the Dragons Den and was then invited back a year later to pitch again, neither was successful but the experience I gained in pitching to a panel of strangers is something I do not take for granted. So not long after my son was born so was the Wrap and Go, my full design journey is available when you join as a member of You Do Design
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I recently founded the brand 'Barmy Brummie', as a proud Brummie and love of everything the city has to offer. I decided that there was a lack of products celebrating Birmingham City and it's many merits, www.barmybrummie.co.uk
We have a distinct dialect which has a love it or hate it sound, most people have an opinion and that's fine with me.
Read my Design and creative journey on the Barmy Brummie by becoming a member of You Do Design
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You Do Design focuses on guiding designers through the design process, enabling them to transfer their idea or concept from their head onto the page and then navigate all the steps to take the end product to market.
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The course is aimed at graduates and college leavers who maybe didn't consider Design earlier but would like to pursue it now or mature learners who have come up with a brilliant new idea.
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My bite size courses may fill in some gaps people may feel they want to learn more on but not necessarily do the whole course but if you do do a bitesize course there is a discount to enrolling on the whole course.
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I'll be right there with you helping you navigate the course and aiding you in discovering the processes, possible pitfalls, and how to get the best out of your concept.
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It may seem daunting at first but I have tried to simplify everything, including a glossary of terms you may come across on your journey, and a step by step guide in the manufacturing process.
It doesn't matter what the design is, the basic process is the same.
Delivering a photography workshop in school
Find useful tips to help you take images of your products to be proud of.
If you are a school, business or organisation interested in knowing more about Karen's designs journey or the 'You Do Design' program click here and find out how to book Karen as a guest speaker or guest lecturer in Design or Photography.
Feedback from a local school I have visited several times,
On Tuesday Oct 11th we were privileged to have in for a whole day a local Birmingham business lady, Karen Cross – a freelance photographer and designer. She was in to help the Year 12 A level Photography students and give a talk, demonstration and discussion with the Year 12 ICT students on the role of Social Media in Business.
She began the day with a 2 hour intensive session with Mrs Mortimer and Mr Armstrong as she showed the students her work (photographs), talking about how she went about finding the composition, the view point, the angle etc. She talked about using the camera, rule of thirds and lighting.
Karen then spent another full two hours with the Year 12 students carefully going through a presentation on her current company – Wrap and Go and the product she is re-introducing into the market. The group were able to question her on her extensive use of social media and she was extremely grateful to the feedback the group were able to impart on what she could do to improve her website and product itself
In the afternoon session she went back to Photography and took them through a practical still life photography workshop using light boxes and studio lights. We are incredibly indebted to all the work and time Karen put in – bringing in all of her materials, equipment and photographs (of which Mrs Mortimer purchased one).
We look forward to welcoming her back again in the New Year.
Get to know You Do Design
I'm not going to confuse you with technical terms or language which is unnecessary but I am here to explain everything in real terms and share my obsession with everything that is design.
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You Do Design is an online E-learning course, Product Design Consultancy service, plus workshop video tutorials in product photography. Bare with me, it will become clearer.
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You can get the information and knowledge in two ways;
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So that you can access the information you want without getting bogged down with other stuff that you're not ready for/don't want or don't need.
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Or you can book a one to one video consultation and ask Karen things relating to your product or service.
When you create an account you will have access to my design projects and the stories of how I achieved my goal, including all of the highs and lows of my journeys.
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I created You Do Design, simply because people are always asking for my advice about an idea they have or a new concept they've come up with and the feedback I've received is that they are very happy with the advice I gave them and more importantly it encouraged them to take their ideas further.
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I also give guest talks in schools and now realise my knowledge is useful, so I wanted to share this with more people!
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I love education... I can never know enough of learning and I really enjoy sharing what I do know.
What we're about
Learning
Guidance​
Community
Positivity
Passion
Honesty
Commitment
Encouragement
Tools
Consistency
