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

Check out the latest issue of The Weekender!

I am super happy to show you this article about my work, released in the latest issue of 

 visited me in my old Studio in spring 2020, to take the amazing photos. Thank you all, i am honored!

Get your own issue and read the whole article!


The Weekender

All profits will be donated!
Size: 14,8 x 21 cm

"Untersuche deine Brust" Card

Title

Default Title

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.

I started painting on old linen sheets and contemporaneously tried some linocuts on paper. These artworks layed the foundation for the design of the Cozy Home Bandana. Printed in London on 100% Cotton. Model: 

The colourful Cozy Home Bandana was shot by 

Cozy Home Bandana

The Red and Soil print collection combines simple ornaments with a very complex way to implement a pattern design.

 I created a pattern, which was stamped by hand on 100% recycled Linen and handpainted on verious ceramics. Find the entire collection on 

Red and Soil Print Design

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 dealing with the changes during the first months of Covid-19 lockdown in early 2020, the only way out for me was getting creative.

Working within my Capsule for weeks, which was not only the place where we live,but also my inner capsule, my thoughts and fears, was challenging.

The result was a colorful silk Bandana, owerflowing with what was around me: A shopping bag, because in the beginning, what else was there to do than getting something to eat? A motive of a still life, blooming and fading on a summer blanket and two t-shirt designs. The Out of Capsule Collection!

Capsules Collection

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

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!

 and I worked on a great Skateboard Series together.﻿
We had the idea to frame our time at home during the lockdown. Which picture would be better than Munichs entry doors, we thought. Screen printed on to the skateboards, happening at 

 Each board is unique and has a special look. The collaboration also contains a special edition T-shirt with one of the doors screenprinted on 100% organic cotton. Available online and in selected Skateshops around Germany.

Shop boards here: 

Salut Skateboards 2.0

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

During the months of lockdown in early 2020, Locals.Muenchen asked me to collaborate.
We created an Artprint series, that symbolizes solidarity and the relevance of all the local providers in Munich. Its message: support each other and "Grow Together"!

Read more on 

Grow Together w/ Locals Muenchen

#fff

The idea of this hand painted textile design is to show the way of how our eyes work. In cooperation with the opticians 

 I worked out a concept, which was shown in our exhibition "Beam of Light" in March 2020.

The design of the fabric consists of elements that show the pupil, the retina, rays of light and plants as objects that reflect light. This textile is the main part of the exhibition, apart from it there are 3 different Riso prints.

Film and Photo: 

Beam of Light

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

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

﻿ and I worked out a print design for our collaboration. We decided to reconstruct a project that I created the year before, the 

I adapted the shapes and drawings of the bandana and transformed them into a black and white pattern design. The breakfast skirt and top where especially made for the editiorial we shot together with photographer 

. We also created a beautiful tableware collection. Discover more on 

Breakfast Print 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