I’m so excited to introduce you to the brilliant creative mind behind the design for our upcoming punch needle cushion workshop. If you’ve ever found yourself drawn to work that feels both beautifully considered and quietly expressive you’re going to love getting to know Camille Romano.
Camille is a multidisciplinary visual designer whose work sits at the intersection of craft, design and storytelling. Originally from France, she grew up just outside Paris before following her creative path across Europe to Helsinki where she now works from her studio.
Her background is wonderfully rich and varied. She studied at the Duperré School of Applied Arts in Paris and continued her education in graphic design, visual communication and illustration in Finland with a creative stint in Japan along the way.
What I love most about Camille’s practice is how naturally she moves between disciplines. She works across print, digital design and art direction but she’s also deeply connected to textiles. Alongside her design work she is a published knitwear designer, bringing that same eye for colour, composition and texture into something tactile and handmade.
I am so excited to be collaborating with Camille again, our projects for Koel Magazine are some of my favourite makes to date. Camille’s work has this beautiful balance of structure and softness which translates so perfectly into textiles. The design is fresh, thoughtful and full of character created with the Whole Punching community in mind.
I’d love to let everyone here at Whole Punching to get to know Camille a little bit better.
What did you want to be when you ‘grew up’?
I went through different phases though I have always been into art / design and history in some way. For quite a while I wanted to be an archaeologist. I was obsessed with ancient history and mythology. I studied Latin for 8 years at school. And I was trying to learn hieroglyphs by myself in my free time (didn’t work out too well!). Then, when I was in art school it shifted to art conservator, fixing and restoring paintings. I guess I have always been drawn to old things, and something manual. It might not be obvious in my practice but the hand-crafted quality of my work might hint to it.
What is your favourite craft aside from knitting?
Knitting is such a slow occupation that it easily eats up all of my time and leaves very little space to learn another slow-paced craft. I have tried weaving on floor looms with a friend of mine (Aoi Yoshizawa, a super talented textile designer) and I also own a couple of table looms and I enjoy the process a lot.
Have you ever tried punch needle?
Once only! I wish I had some time to properly give it a try, especially seeing your beautiful pieces. I’m quite drawn to the fact that punch needle seems to allow for freeform work and irregular shapes fairly easily.
What inspired you with the design for this cushion?
I was inspired by the windy landscapes by the sea in Helsinki, Finland, where I live. I also took into consideration the proper level of complexity to adapt to the punch needle technique and the format you had in mind.
Where is your favourite place to visit in the world?
It’s a place I haven’t visited yet but I’m babbling about it to everyone. I’d hope to someday do a textile design residency in Ireland. And also just traveling there. Somewhere possibly remote by the sea.
Best snack to accompany a creative session!
Black or green tea, in ridiculous amounts!
Working with Camille on this design has been such a joy and I hope this little glimpse into her world has made you feel just as inspired as I do. If you’ve fallen in love with her thoughtful approach to colour, shape and texture or simply fancy trying something new, you can bring this design to life yourself in my Learn to Make a Punch Needle Cushion online workshop.
Inside the workshop, I’ll guide you step by step through the whole process, from setting up your frame to finishing your cushion so you can create your own version at home. It’s a lovely way to slow down, get making and connect with the design in a really hands on way.
I can’t wait to get stuck in.
