It all started in 1974...

At least that's when I - Gráinne Slavin, founder of Platform 74 - was born, so in many ways that's when the business began as I've been creating practically my whole life.

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Fast-forward from my Take Hart gallery and Blue Peter sticky back plastic days, one English degree, several creative evening classes and 10 years under my belt at work later, I enrolled on a degree in Graphic Communication, setting up Platform 74 as soon as I graduated in 2014.

 

After a few years of undertaking graphic design client work, I ventured into creating my own designs to sell.

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Behind the designs

My colourful, stylised designs are inspired by my family and friends, my Irish and Scottish heritage, nostalgia (particularly for the 70s and 80s when I was growing up), and anything else that makes me smile.

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Whether I'm designing a new pattern to be printed onto fabric or designing a logo, the goal is the same: to produce a meaningful, joyful design that is completely appropriate for its end use.

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Want me to wrap my noggin around a bespoke design for you?

It would be my great pleasure. Just visit the commissions section.

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Why Platform 74?

When I originally set up as a graphic designer, I decided a company name was preferable to my own Irish name which I often have to spell and pronounce for people. The '74' bit should be obvious now - I was born in 1974 - and I liked 'platform' as a metaphor for a launch pad or a solid base from which to tackle a new design project, reflecting the fact I think deeply and undertake thorough research before putting pen to paper.

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Platform 74 HQ

I work from my home studio in Leeds, with a helping paw from Mogulous: feline in residence and Quality Assurance Manager (that's him below...)

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Wondering how to pronounce 'Gráinne'?

Here's Graham Norton to help you out...

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