College News
From Trinity to Talented Textile Designer: Meet 2002 Trinity Graduate Ellie Whittaker!
Ellie Whittaker is an inspiring Trinity alumnus who has successfully created her own unique and compelling brand, and effectively developed and grown her own textile design business. She is also Mum of four beautiful children. Ellie is a textiles designer whose work is highly
sought after amongst the indie-children’s clothing market. She designs
fabrics and collections for labels such as Alfie’s Children’s Apparel,
Minoche, Kapow Kids, Goosebumps Boutique Bedding and Kippins along with
Cotton On Kids and Target Australia. Take a look at her website, www.elliewhittaker.com.au and Instagram account, www.instagram/elliewhittakerstudio to get a taste of some of her incredible designs.
When did you graduate from Trinity?
I completed Year 12 and graduated from Trinity in 2002.
Tell us a bit about yourself, including your academic qualifications & achievements.
At Trinity I enjoyed all of the many arts-related subjects available at the time, taking Art, Music and Drama (and also loving English). After school I continued my artistic enthusiasm by studying a Bachelor of Creative Industries (Drama) at QUT with a minor in Visual Art from the Universities of Florida and Michigan, a graduate certificate in Film from the Prague International Film School and finally a Master of Art (Visual Art) at the QCA.
Please could you briefly describe what have you been up to since graduating from Trinity - how did you start your career and what has been your professional journey so far?
I graduated from QCA in 2009 and shortly after gave birth to our eldest son. I then discovered the world of the WAHM (Work At Home Mum!) and I began to see the need for unique, Australian fabrics among the WAHM craft community. I grew up in a very crafty environment and was always strong in illustration, so when I discovered a site that would print my designs on-demand I developed a burning desire to figure out how to design fabric. I taught myself, through many, many hours of online learning and practice and then connected with these fellow ‘Mumpreneurs’, offering my designs and working together to create custom designs for their businesses. My business has grown immensely from its humble beginnings and I now create artwork for fabrics that are licensed and commissioned by companies like Cotton On Kids, Target and Spotlight.
Tell us something about your family and your interests other than your business. How do maintain your work-life balance?
I design from home and communicate via email so there is real flexibility in this career, which has been absolutely necessary as we now have four young children! A creative career works really well with young children because they’re always open to the kinds of new experiences that fuel creativity. They are just as eager as I am for trips to art galleries or the library, and I am able to do passive ‘work’ on the side in those environments, researching retro wallpapers at the library, scrutinising their picture books, drawing with them and listening to their ideas! I happily whittle away our days having fun experiences and enjoying their childhood and I work most weeknights from 7.30pm until midnight. My husband often also has work to do at night, so we sit beside each other at our computers. On weekends we try and get out and enjoy nature and relish childhood experiences as a family. Life’s pretty good!
What are some of your fondest memories of your time at Trinity?
All sorts of fun and shenanigans in anything arts related: plays and musicals, spattering paint in the art block or even just ‘cleaning up’ the costume room (thank goodness we didn’t have digital cameras or social media in those days!!!) I also met my husband when we were cast in the same play in Year 12 and, whilst we didn’t get together for some years after, he turned out to be the highlight of my Trinity experience!
What do you believe makes Trinity a great school?
When I attended Trinity it was a real school-among-the-gum-trees with caring teachers who went above and beyond. I still remember dropping in a draft to a teacher’s house on the weekend, staying behind late practicing lines or getting to school at 7am for netball practice. I made a lot of effort and the teachers responded in the same way, giving so much of their time and passion. I also attended Living Word church so there was a real bond with the school community and the teachers who attended church with us. What’s more, the scripture and worship songs I learnt as a child in chapel or choir, or even the hymns we sang at Living Word, have stuck with me for life.
What has been your greatest achievement thus far?
Personally, marrying my very fun-loving husband, Jordan, and our four funny, creative children.
Professionally, it’s such a thrill to not only be paid to create art, but to see it on living, breathing forms and being enjoyed by children. It’s always the best surprise to suddenly see my artwork on a child at the playground.
How did your experiences at Trinity (academic studies, extra-curricular activities, pastoral care) prepare you for life after school and for your planned future career?
I am obviously a lover of institutional study, but it has has always been through taking initiative for self-directed studies that I’ve experienced the most growth. What I love most about Trinity is the wide variety of extra-curricular activities that are strongly encouraged: debating, public speaking, chess, drama eisteddfods, netball…these activities helped me to form connections outside of the school, to feel confident in front of the community and to gain new skills and discipline. Often, extra-curricular activities could also be credited towards my academic studies so that was a real win.
Do you think Trinity produces global graduates that can compete internationally?
Absolutely! Graduating with the skills and technology of this day and age (which wasn’t available to me when I graduated!) means that the world is their oyster. I have no doubt that any student who takes ownership of their studies (and reaches out to those wonderful aforementioned teachers who go above and beyond) can achieve incredible things.
What are your future aspirations?
I like to keep my options open and have simple goals: I want continue to thrive as a commercial artist (being paid to create art - amazing!), to be physically and spiritually present for my family and to bring joy to the world!
Advice to students who aspire to succeed?
Don’t wait for someone to hand you an opportunity, make an introduction for you or gift you with a new skill. A very large percentage of my work has come from being assertive, approaching companies and individuals, researching my idols, self-education and burning the midnight oil (with four babies in-tow). The ‘fortunate coincidences’/‘luck’ is only ever borne from the projects I’ve self-initiated, that is, from the hard work and determination!
What message would you like to give to the present Trinity students as well as the Alumni?
Don’t shy away from your passion. If there is the slightest opportunity for you to make a living from your passion, seize it, dig in and make it work. Being paid to do what you love is an absolute luxury and if you can succeed, you’ll never work a day in your life. Besides which, whether you’re a current student or alumni you’re the perfect age to take that first step!
