The Story Behind People's Print
Creativity Has Always Been About People
Our Story
People's Print was founded by Lancashire textile designer and educator Claire Williams.
For more than twenty years, Claire has worked across the design industry, creating surface pattern collections for interiors and homeware through her design practice, AIRE Studio. Alongside her commercial work, she has spent many years teaching and facilitating creative workshops with schools, community groups and organisations, witnessing the positive impact that creativity can have on confidence, wellbeing and connection.
Growing up in Lancashire, Claire was surrounded by the region's rich textile heritage. The mill towns of Pendle and East Lancashire were once at the heart of the world's cotton industry, and many of the skills, stories and manufacturing traditions that shaped these communities still exist today.
People's Print was created to connect these worlds.
The idea is simple: work with communities to generate beautiful, authentic designs through creative workshops, then transform those designs into professionally produced products manufactured in the UK. In doing so, the project celebrates creativity, supports wellbeing, champions British manufacturing and creates new opportunities for communities to see their ideas valued and shared.
Unlike traditional design collections that rely solely on historic archives or trend forecasts, every People's Print collection begins with people. Through drawing, mark-making, printmaking and creative exploration, participants contribute to designs that carry genuine stories and lived experience.
The resulting patterns are developed into products including textiles, wallpaper and homeware, with a proportion of sales returned to partner organisations to help support future creative activity.
At its heart, People's Print is about creating patterns with purpose, connecting people, place and making through contemporary textile design.
Why People's Print Exists
We believe everyone has the capacity to be creative.
Yet many people face barriers to accessing creative opportunities, whether through geography, circumstance, confidence or cost.
People's Print creates welcoming opportunities for people to explore creativity whilst ensuring their contributions are valued and celebrated.
The artwork produced through workshops becomes the foundation for professional surface pattern designs, creating a tangible legacy from each project
Our Values
Creativity
Encouraging experimentation, curiosity and self-expression.
Collaboration
Creating together and valuing every contribution.
Craftsmanship
Respecting traditional skills and thoughtful design.
Community
Building connection through shared creative experiences.
Social Value
Using creativity as a tool for positive change.