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

I create artworks for clients and develop personal work. I 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:

From 2019 to 2022, I lectured textile design and illustration at 

 which gave me great joy. I got to share my experience and craft, while I receive inspiration from other young, open-minded people. 
I also give keynotes and specialized workshops for companies. Here are some 

Profile

I usually start analog, 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 

, for example. 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 work 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

My first solo exhibition since becoming a mother. You can imagine how overwhelming that was for me. The start into the new life was exciting but not easy. 
At first it wasn't possible to work creatively; my head had to be reorganized. 


That's why my work for “Roots” was about getting back to my roots, but also about digging out and finding new roots in terms of design. The top priority was to rediscover the joy of design and enjoy the great collaboration with Norbert from 

"Roots" Solo Exhibition


I would like to invite you to my Illustration Workshop. You don't need any prior knowledge for this, just a desire to paint and design. We start with exercises that free your wrists and your head from everyday stress and tickle creativity out of you. 

I will introduce you to the basics of illustration and teach you quick moves for a good work of art. We work with fineliners and watercolor paint from 

 - so you will paint with self-made plant paint. At the end, you will receive a package of your artwork, your self-designed postcards, and a surprise envelope from me on top. I look forward creating with you! 

Scope - 3 hours



Illustration Workshop

Tear-off calendar 2024
Riso printed in 6 different colors
Finest uncoated paper
Size: 18x13 cm

52 Floral Sketches Calendar

Title

Default Title


Finest uncoated Munken paper, 300g
Set of 4 postcards with a printed envelope

Floral Marker, Postcard Set

 the beautiful project "Textiles in the kitchen" came to life. 

‚Textiles in the kitchen‘ is a design project that reflects the craft of cooking - on fabrics, creating the perfect bridge between 

. In the designs for our window installation, I tried to depict a working process that develops into a worked-out fabric pattern with each panel of fabric.

In addition, I designed 3 tablecloths for a great dinner in the evening after the workshop, based on the design of the window exhibition.

All fabric designs are hand painted and printed.
Have a look at my 

Our project started with an extensive textile design workshop in Kvadrat‘s Munich showroom. I tried to convey the art of building a pattern design and transforming it onto a tea towel by hand. Including many different printing techniques and showing the attendees how to use them creatively on the lovely Kvatrat fabrics.

It was important to me that the feeling of independent and experimental development of material, as in the workshop, is also visible in the installation.

Altogether the result is an artistic textile installation that is now displayed at 

Reform Cph Munich's showroom, Müllerstr. 42

. Drop by and enjoy Reform's beautiful kitchens combined with hand-painted designs on Kvadrat textiles.

Textiles in the kitchen w/ Reform x Kvadrat

 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

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

Together with Laura, the previous owner of Shop OKT I created a pattern, inspired by wild plants, Laura found growing in the woods. Stamped by hand on 100% recycled linen and handpainted on various ceramics, the entire collection was sold out immediately!

Red and Soil Print Design

This collaboration is all about flourishing. Featuring abstract floral illustrations on recycled-organic-cotton pieces by 

With the airbrushing technique, I added a flourish to the clothing, hoping everything that was involved in creating these pieces may remind you to flourish yourself.

 is a multidisciplinary label based in Zurich, Switzerland. Creating small collections of unique yet timeless pieces while encouraging emotional and physical awareness. Find all items here: 

Studio Ōsoi x Steffi Bauer 

, this Art Collection arose. Working together immediately felt so harmonious, that the artworks quickly created themselves somehow.      HAPPYSOY® does soy wax candles in a glass with a matching saying or artwork, stylish design and wonderful scent. Plastic-free, handmade & vegan. Just the perfect gift for every 
occasion! Order here:  

happysoy x Steffi Bauer

  bottle design! For the past 1,5 years, we carefully worked out the perfect plant illustration for every single product together. I am so proud to be such a big part of the nkm appearance.

The new nkm bottles were specially designed for their optimized reusable system so that every component can remain 100% in the cycle. Instead of glued-on labels, the glass bottles are now decorated with robust ceramic paint. The attachments can be granulated after use and formed into new attachments.  Even the pipette can be washed and reused. The new nkm bottle combines innovative solutions for a new sustainability standard.

nkm Atelier Product Illustrations

Your weekly dose of nature. 52 Floral Sketches out of my sketchbook from the past year, collected together into a tear-off calendar for every week of 2024. Graphic design by 

, risograph print in 6 different colors by 


including fine lines of a potato plant,  flower of a  pumpkin  a pepper plant and herbs. Check out their amazing dishes at Viktualienmarkt in Munich.

Herbstkarte for Caspar Plautz

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

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#000

„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 to this truly unique place called 

 is 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

 AW17/18 collection was inspired by the distinguished and dapper men of Japanese baseball.

Teaming up with the fashion brand, I designed a winter material with illustrations of carp. I combined aquarelle paintings with graphic elements in pastel colors, resulting in a big shoal of fish swimming around a pond, printed on a shirt.

Nagoya Carps Pattern Design

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: 

Steffi Bauer

Textiles in the kitchen w/ Reform x Kvadrat

Melilot Bedding Design

Red and Soil Print Design

Studio Ōsoi x Steffi Bauer

More Textile Design

Tiachi - it's bavarian for blanket

The Rose Scarf Collection

Nagoya Carps Pattern Design

A Kind of Guise AW17/18

Cozy Home Bandana

Illustration

Featured Products

Profile

Process

"Roots" Solo Exhibition

Illustration Workshop