For Christmas 2024, Eirian Chapman's illustrations adorn both products and packaging, offering you a glimpse into a festive feast for the senses – Holiday Jewels! From inspiration to her favourite products, get to know the artist behind this year’s charming and spectacular designs.

 

 

Tell us about your collaboration with Glasshouse Fragrances - why is it important to you?

 

When I received the brief from Glasshouse Fragrances, I was pretty excited because who doesn’t love candles?!

They were after a festive themed artwork that feels more fashion than the traditional Christmas content you see at this time of year and that is right up my alley!

Their campaign shoots are always so fun and ooze luxury, so I knew the collaboration was going to be exciting.

 

 

Can you briefly walk us through your creative process, from inspiration to finished product?

 

I usually approach a job by doing loose pencil sketches, but Glasshouse Fragrances were after a pattern they could apply to a range of packaging options so this time I started with a grid.

I played with Christmas themed shapes like baubles, shooting stars, midnight moon phases and sketched them using the grid as structure. We went through a couple rounds of sketches before settling on the final design and then the fun part of colouring in.

They wanted a sophisticated Christmas colour palette, so I provided a couple of options whilst I coloured the artwork in Adobe Illustrator. The key colour is the gold that links all the palettes beautifully together.

 

 

What is your favourite thing about the festive season?

 

The build-up is always my favourite part, as soon as December hits and I start hearing Mariah Carey’s All I want for Christmas I know things are about to get serious (seriously Christmassy).

I love the Christmas parties, being a freelancer means I can leave my cave and socialise with my peers.

But my favourite activity is planning outfits. Sewing a new outfit to parade over the festive season is a treat.

 

What was the inspiration behind the Christmas 2024 packaging?

 

The geometric shapes and gold line work in the artwork reference traditional leadlight windows (unlike stained glass these are non-pictorial, containing geometric designs). When printed on the glass candles they almost look like church windows.

Straight shapes of art deco and the fluid circles of Art Nouveau influenced the pattern design especially the Scottish architect and designer Charles Rennie Mackintosh.

We made a pilgrimage with my dad to see his work in Mackintosh’s Glasgow home on a family trip to the UK in 1999 but to dad’s horror it was closed whilst we were there.

Luckily, we did get to see his designs in the Glasgow School of Art. His use of organic lines in a grid influenced the movement of the pattern.

 

Which is your favourite item from the collection?

 

I love the double wick glass patterned candles especially Night Before Christmas and Christmas Morning.

Those would make gorgeous vessels after the candle is done. They really do look like a sacred chalice.

 

DISCOVER OUR HOLIDAY JEWELS COLLECTION