We’ve partnered with Gratitude – a spectacular art installation featuring 51 statues, in celebration of our NHS staff and key workers’ sacrifice and dedication. We’ve got a statue in the exhibition! Ours is named ‘A moment to be thortful’, and we’re excited to say it was designed by our colleague Ella, a member of our design team here at thortful HQ.
As the exhibition begins its tour around four cities in the UK, we thought it would be nice to share a bit of the thinking behind Ella’s design. To that end, we’ve asked her a few questions – apart from the usual ones we ask like ‘How was your weekend?’ and ‘When are you going for lunch?’.
Over to you Ella…
Tell us a little bit about yourself.
Hello, I’m Ella! I live in the Hampshire countryside with my fluffy dog, Raffi. Before becoming thortful’s Graphic Designer, I studied Textiles Innovation and Design at Loughborough University.
I’ve been at thortful for 2 fun years and my day to day involves designing assets for our website, digitally drawing illustrations that can be used across all of our channels and creating print for thortful’s packaging & flyers.
What inspired your design?
Having grown up in the countryside I take huge inspiration from nature. After such a tough year, I wanted to create something that would make people feel happy when they looked at it and also honour the NHS. My Mum always has the most beautiful flowers in our garden, so this project was also partially inspired by that too!
What does your design represent?
My design comprises three elements: the willow tree representing suffering, new growth and strength. The thortful bees delivering thanks & gratitude to the NHS and a wild flower meadow, depicting the colours of the NHS rainbow, featuring Tulips, Daisies, Forget-me-nots & Pansies symbolising faith, innocence, memories, courage, strength, love, thoughtful recollection & caring.
What does it mean to you to be helping raise funs for NHS Charities Together?
The NHS have always been amazing and they have only proved that more and more since the pandemic started. It feels surreal that we’re able to give back to them and I feel privileged to play a little part of such a special project by Wild in Art.
What are you most grateful for?
I’m most grateful for my beautiful family & friends, I’d be nowhere without them… And also Gin.
Shop the Gratitude Collection
If you want to see Ella’s thortful statue, well, you’ll have to visit Gratitude! The free exhibition runs for ten days in Birmingham beginning 20 August, moves to Manchester on 3 September, and continues on to Edinburgh and London later in the year. For more information about dates and to book your tickets, visit the Gratitude website.
