Henries Design Awards Finalists: Paper Shed Design

Last updated: February 7th, 2024 Published on: September 12, 2022

This week we’re delighted to introduce you to Paper Shed Design, who have reached the finals of the Henries Awards after being nominated for their beautiful designs, some of which you can find on the Funky Pigeon website! We love showing off our brilliant independent designs, so we’re excited for you to meet Paper Shed Design and hear a bit more about their creative process.

Paper Shed Design

Meet Paper Shed Design, one of the incredibly talented independent designs who creates some of the cards you love for Funky Pigeon. Based out of a little garden studio in West Berkshire, Paper Shed Design create beautiful card designs inspired by nature, animals and the great outdoors. Their unique and charming design style creates some adorable cards, perfect for birthdays, anniversaries, or any other occasion. Don’t forget to check out some of their designs at the bottom of this article.

Congratulations on your awards news! With over 14,000 entries, how did you feel when you heard the news that your range ‘The Bear, the Hare & the Mouse’ made it to the Finals?

It was fantastic to receive this wonderful News! Sooo exciting! When the news came in, we were working quietly in our little Studio. I let out a scream so loud it terrified our two small terriers Maisy and Flossy who were sleeping under the desk!

Was this your first award nomination?

Yes! We set up Paper Shed Design less than two years ago. It’s absolutely amazing to be up for an award already and well beyond expectation.

Tell us a bit about your Henries nominated range….

The name ‘The Bear, the Hare & the Mouse’ came to us whilst looking at some development sketches for a new bear. We wanted to create a lovely contemporary bear range. Cute for a modern audience. Looking at the sketches we then decided he needed some friends. We liked the idea that Mouse is in every design but sometimes he’s hiding, so you may need to look to find him. We hope to publish a story book about these characters.

How did you get into the greeting card industry?

We met as young illustrators in a busy little design studio in Henley-on-Thames back in 1995! And the rest is history!! 25 years on with two grown up kids and a heap of industry experience we finally decided to take the plunge and set up our own publishing company Paper Shed Design. Fulfilling a lifelong dream we had shared.

Describe your typical work day…

We are based in small unit on a farm in rural West Berkshire. Surrounded by beautiful countryside and inspiration. We start the day with a quick dog walk followed by a cup of tea. Radio on ready for a busy and creative days work.

What’s your creative process?

Dan produces lots of pencil sketches when developing a new character to see how it works in different poses. We then decide which sketches to work up into final Artworks adding other elements to the design such as flowers, butterflies etc. All final Artworks are hand drawn with soft pencil and Watercolour.

What are the challenges you face running your own business? And the joys?

As a Husband and Wife team it’s hard to switch off and there simply aren’t enough hours in the day! We are both still excited by our business and full of enthusiasm for all the possibilities. We have so many ideas and there’s never enough time. My to do list just gets longer! I try to step back sometimes and focus on what we have achieved so far.

Good luck in the Henries Awards! What do you think you’ll do if you win, and what would it mean to you to win?

We are really looking forward to the night and meeting all the other finalists. What a privilege to be listed amongst so much talent. I will be shocked if we win. We’ve worked so hard, it would be amazing to receive such recognition. I would definitely need a glass or two of something fizzy.