Darwin local, creative, graphic designer, artist, businesswoman and mum – meet Brooke Summers.
Words by Mel Brautigam | Photos by Nat Tan and Kate Freestone
After producing five magazines of Territory Savvy and Territory Savvy Kids, it’s finally time we introduce you to the creative powerhouse behind the polished layouts, dreamy advertising and artistic touches you see across our magazines.
Meet Brooke Summers the founder of Studio B Designs and Art by Brooke and the local talent shaping visual storytelling in Darwin, one bold idea at a time.
Brooke is a born-and-bred Darwin girl, a proud mum to Kobi (7) and Mila (4), partner to Ryan, and the driving force behind two thriving creative ventures. “Like many Top End families, we’re juggling sports runs, birthday parties, work deadlines, school drop-offs and dinner prep. Some days flow beautifully. Others? Not so much, and my neighbours know all about it!” she laughs.
Her first business, Studio B, is one of Darwin’s leading graphic design agencies known for delivering standout visual solutions across branding, advertising, signage, digital design, magazines and publication design. With a talented team and an impressive portfolio, Brooke is quick to acknowledge her crew. “If I hit a creative block, I can hand it to someone else in the studio for fresh eyes and I love seeing what they come up with. We’re stronger together and I’m so lucky to have them.”
Then there’s her second love – Art by Brooke – an ever-evolving expression of her creativity through surface pattern design and artistic collaborations. Inspired during maternity leave, Brooke completed a course in surface pattern design and hasn’t looked back.
“Having my kids inspired me to get back into my art,” she says. “I created a Territory-themed alphabet that made it fun for my little ones to learn their letters, and it’s become a bestseller for nurseries and baby shower gifts.”
Since then, her artwork has been licensed by local boutiques including The Handmade Haven, in Darwin City, who transformed her designs into soft bamboo baby onesies, swaddles and bibs. “They are softer than a baby bottom!” she grins.
She’s also collaborated with local commercial furniture company Winya to re-upholster one of their chairs in her magpie goose ‘Inflight’ artwork, which was featured in the inaugural NT Art Awards last year. That piece sparked her desire to work with more corporate and hospitality spaces – think reception chairs, hotel foyers, acoustic panels and public seating all wrapped in Territory-inspired prints. “Nothing beats seeing your own artwork on a piece of quality fabric, a spectacular piece of furniture or crafted into a product that is enjoyed by customers! The brands I’ve collaborated with get so excited by it all too, which is a huge highlight – it’s been very surreal,” Brooke reflects.
Brooke’s talents extend beyond the canvas. She hand-painted a fun and colourful mural for Outreach Physiotherapy, which was such a hit with their clients that it was essential the mural ‘moved’ to their new premises and Brooke and her team painted it again! The illustrations quickly became part of the Outreach brand (that Studio B also designed) and were later printed onto staff uniforms, bucket hats and even colouring-in sheets.
Her art reflects the colourful, curious and laid-back world she grew up in. “The Territory is full of inspiration, from the colours and animals to the beautiful scenery and characters. I’m also inspired by my kids’ creativity, and love watching them paint or draw with total freedom with no hesitation, no fear. It reminds me not to overthink it. Just let it flow.”
Currently, Brooke is building a digital pattern library to license designs for textiles, homewares, babywear and more. “It’ll give businesses the opportunity to use locally designed patterns on their own products, projects, merchandise or even for their branding. I want to create art that celebrates the Territory, adds some colour and becomes part of people’s everyday spaces.”
Between corporate annual reports and playful children’s illustrations, Brooke’s world is a creative balance. And Darwin, she says, has been the perfect place to build her dreams. “The opportunities in the NT are phenomenal. I never imagined that my ‘small freelance business’ would accomplish all that it has over the past 11 years. My uni friends’ interstate are competing for every job. Here, if you show up, work hard and bring good ideas – people will back you.”
They sure will. And at Territory Savvy, we’re proud to back Brooke every step of the way.
Find Brooke online: http://studiobdesigns.com.au. | http://artbybrooke.com.au
