Camila Prada
Description
Ceramics designer, Camila Prada's new collection 'Pepe and Friends' is an endearing family of character-figurines. Also known as 'Flatfaces', each figurine is possessed of a distinct and colourful personality. The collection is available to buy from the Vinila website, as well as a carefully chosen handful of boutique shops.
Why we funded
Quirky and highly individual, Vinila's Flatfaces are unlike any other ceramic figurines available today. As Camila explains, "Most figurines are very traditional, in fact when you say 'figurine' people think of Victoriana. I wanted to do something a little more humorous, light-hearted and modern."
Camila has conceived of Vinila as a "character-based brand, think Paul Frank or Hello Kitty". All the Flatfaces have names like 'Sir Rara' and 'Tootsweet', as well as distinct personalities.
Camila goes on to say, "There are interesting, character-based things happening in other mediums like plastics, print and stationary, but not really in ceramics. That's what I wanted to change. I realised there was nothing out there I would like to buy. That's what gave me the idea."
Camila took part in NESTA's Insight Out programme in the West Midlands. Developed to help people transform creative ideas into thriving businesses, Insight Out's Project Coordinator Veronica Tierney explains, "We are looking for people with innovative business ideas, and Camila's work and vision fits with that."
Impact
Since taking part in the Insight Out programme, Camila has got her business, Vinila, off the ground and acquired a business partner, Gavin Pryke, formerly design manager at Virgin Atlantic.
Vinila's first big project, the 'Pepe and Friends' collection, has been developed in collaboration with Rosenthal, the German ceramics manufacturer. A full launch is taking place at the Ambiente fair in Frankfurt, one of the largest consumer goods fairs in the world.
Written: February 2007
Individual:
Camila Prada
Company:
Vinila
Programme:
Insight Out
Discipline:
Ceramic design
Location:
West Midlands
Funding:
£1,000
Year funded:
2005
Website:
www.vinila.co.uk