I usually start analogue, with pen and paper. This gives my work the natural irregularity that I find important. While I apply multiple techniques of bringing ink on paper, aquarelle remains one of my favorites. 

After digitalizing the artworks, I work out 

. That allows to apply a pattern endlessly in any direction. Always keeping the ideas and requirements of my clients and collaboration-partners in mind, I create print-ready files that are ready to be used for production. For limited editions, I sometimes apply artworks directly on textiles or objects.

As an illustrator, I am inspired by the plants growing in my studio and all around me. My artworks combine fragile black lines with aquarelle color and always a hint of natural incidents. I often develop my artworks based on personal feelings, cultural developments or social incidents – I process what I experience through my work.

As a professional and a human being, I feel responsible to foster sustainability, a view that I try to consider for myself and offer to my clients.

Process

I'm Steffi Bauer, Textile Designer & Illustrator based in Munich.

I create artworks for clients and develop personal work. I am specialized in transforming artworks technically into files printable on textiles. My background in fashion design, fashion operations and graphic design allows me to take a holistic approach to this particular process in design - from the first sketches to the finished product. 

I hold a B.A. in communication design from the University of Applied Sciences Munich and was able to gain extensive collaboration experience - from artist friends to international fashion companies. This allows me to implement professional projects successfully. I am happy to offer access to my network.
Have a look at some of my Clients & Collaboration Partners:

In 2019, I started lecturing textile design and illustration at 

 which gives me great joy. I get to share my experience and craft, while I receive inspiration from young, open minded people. In non-pandemic times, I also give keynotes, which I will be happy to continue as soon as we all can hug again.
Have a look at some work features:

Profile

Manufactured in Munich
In collaboration with 


Römerturm Wild paper
55 pages, 13 x 19 cm

Buttercup Notebook

Color

pink

yellow

creme

Set of 3

Manufactured in London
Material: 100% Silk
Size: 55 x 55 cm

Buttercup Silk Scarf

Blue

The mixed feelings collection combines upcycled materials with sustainable manufactured textiles. It was inspired by old textiles I found in the basement of a family member we lost last year. In times of struggle, we often find ourselves with mixed feelings.

The tragedy of a personal loss and the lack of outside impulses in a pandemic has made creative work harder for me temporarily. That is why I didn’t work out a concept for this project, I just went with my intuition and got lost in the process.  

Losing someone is also a process, it reveals what you had but also what you still have and value. I’m healthy, I have a great partner, family, and friend circle, and can continue my work through uncertain times.

 helped me to find the right cut for the old textiles and to give them a new life. With the assistance of 

, the editorial shooting was realized. I was happy to win Photographer 

 for the shooting. We spend a beautiful day together, something I also learned to value in a new way.

The Mixed Feelings Collection expresses the joy and connection that can come from loss and neglected objects and gave me the strength to be ready for the next struggle.

Mixed Feelings Collection

Lisbon in May seems like a paradise for people from central europe, still shaken by winter, like me. While visiting the capital of Portugal, I had the impression that only few people are actually living in the city centre. The rest oft he people there were tourists.

Looking at the beautiful empty houses, a poster on the side of the street caught my attention. It was a hand drawn picture of a young man with glasses that said: "Oscar precisa duma casa em Lisboa." – "Oscar needs a home in Lisbon". I was shocked by the ambiguity of this beautiful city, and started to collect more logos, ornaments and drawings. This was the start of "Faces of Lisbon", a pattern design project about finding home. 

Faces of Lisbon 

„Tiachi“ is a mix of modern artwork with traditional material and manufacturing, blended into a versatile blanket.

It is the result of a collaboration with Michael Wiethaus and his illustration brand 

. We were aiming for a mix of modern illustration with our bavarian heritage and traditional, sustainable textile manufacturing. While Mixen illustrated beloved bavarian picnic items, I worked on the characteristics and technical production of the textile.

„Tiachi“ became a high-quality blanket that can be used in many ways - for a picnic, as a tablecloth, a nap blanket, or just a nice object on your couch. It is 100% organic cotton, organically dyed, and manufactured in Austria.

 to support us with a visual concept, together with photographer 

. For now, Stone figures are surrounding our „Tiachi“ but soon we hope the blanket will be out in the sun with you guys!

100% organic cotton, organically dyed, made in Austria.
Enjoy „Tiachi“ - it‘s bavarian for blanket!

Shop here: 

Tiachi - it's bavarian for blanket

The Scarf Collection was inspired by our late summer trip to Reggio Emilia in September 2020. We visited an old balsamic vinegar manufactory and stayed in the beautiful, historic villa on site.

It turned out, the sisters running the whole thing, are crazy about roses. So the garden was filled with several rose species, coming in all kinds of shapes and colors. In this inspiring surrounding, I naturally started drawing. Later I found out why our room was called „Gertrude Jekyll“, it is named after a special kind of rose, like all rooms. Also, Gertrude Jekyll was one of the first female garden designers. Yes, they really are crazy about roses.

We got lucky that our friends Amelie and Magnus recommended us this truly unique place called 

 a fashion photographer. The perfect combination to work together on this editorial shoot and remember the great times we each had.

The Rose Scarf Collection

Getting together with Lena and Vera from 

 was a real pleasure. Together we worked out the concept for a pattern design that is now the inner fabric of their new great product 

Rappu combines conscious design with functionality. Mission of the girls was it to make it fun and comfortable using your camera every day. Ideal for carrying on daily routines or when traveling - because it's lightweight and doesn't take up space.

The camera case is made of soft but sturdy natural textiles such as Tencel and rhubarb leather. 

 carefully sources all materials and produces locally in Berlin.

Rappu Pattern Design

While I apply multiple techniques of bringing ink on paper, aquarelle remains one of my favorites. Combined with black lines, the flower illustrations became my signature artworks.

Flower Illustrations

This Artwork depicts the process of examining your breast. It is informative and fun to read at the same time. In consultation with several gynecologists, I put emphasis on this work to be absolutely accurate and correct in terms of medical science.
Nobody ever actually showed me how to do a breast exam in an easy way regularly, so I hope this will reach as many women as possible. It comes in a handy size, so that you can include this important routine in your everyday life.

All profits will be donated.


Untersuche deine Brust!

A series of 3 skateboards, produced in collaboration with the German based Skate brand 

.
Fragile Flower illustrations combined with a second layer of vibrant color, screen printed on to the skateboards. The collaboration also contains a special edition T-shirt with a monochromatic flower-artwork screen printed on 100% organic cotton.
Available soon online at 

 and in selected skateshops around Germany.

Salut Skateboards x Steffi Bauer

A small selection of Greeting Cards and Invitations I created for clients. 
Fine lines combined with colorful surfaces printed by my favorite risography studio 

Greetings and Invitations

NKM natural cosmetics asked me to illustrate the development of their brand for their flagship store which is based in the heart of Munich. The result is a timeline showing the main steps from establishing the brand in 2018 to opening their first shop in 2020. Creating this was a great way to learn about the impressive story of Marieke and Alex, the founders of NKM.
Together with 

 designer Lisa Khun and interior designer 

, I had the pleasure to create the structure of the artwork. We will continue to work on the branding of NKM’s packaging soon –stay tuned!
If you want to see the artwork live or just like natural cosmetics, check out their beautiful store in Müllerstr. 10 in Munich.

Photos: 

Timeline for NKM Atelier

#fff

Projekt Eva is a project of transformation and sustainability. The love of unique and special items is expressed through its individual pattern design. It was developed by Christl Hammerand and me in 2017.

The inspiration is a re-interpretation of the biblical story of Eva, with plants from Eva's garden, an orange as Eva's fruit from the forbidden tree, and several animals and numbers aligning to create a brand-new pattern design.

The project is based on white textile items collected from second hand shops all around Europe. Carefully selected, to ensure the use of only very high-quality garments and perfect clothes for Eva.

Projekt Eva

During an intense period in my life, I reflected my thoughts and emotions through my creative work. While working I realized one of the most important things, especially during hard times, was a cozy home for me.
When I found a bale of 40 year old linen in my grandparents basement, I decided to use it as a canvas to transform my mixed feelings into a cozy home collection. It felt so precious, that the only option was to carefully paint on it by hand.

Cozy Home Linen Collection

, I designed a series of scarves made of silk, cotton, and viscose. 

Individually painted and dyed by hand, the scarves not only create a perfect setting for the photoshoot but also encapsulate the particular style of Rue Nouvelle.
Model: 

Rue Nouvelle /Scarf Collection

The Palms pattern design was developed in collaboration with the German fashion brand 

. Inspired by the relaxed vibes of Italian camping atmosphere, the collection embodies a summery and laid-back attitude. 

The Palms pattern is made of several painted leaves, all very carefully arranged to form a nonchalant print design and material.

Palms Pattern Design

 asked me to design bedding for their exhibition for 

, we tried to link the design to the act of sleeping.

Melilot is one of the many herbs which can assure a good night’s rest. Illustrated in wild, vibrant colours and printed extensively onto the textile, it doesn't look organic at first glance; something we hoped to achieve for this design.

Melilot Bedding Design

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Freelance Illustrator based in Munich Germany.

Steffi Bauer