Shaven Raven Designs is the moniker of East London-based illustrator and graphic designer, Ufuoma Urie. Her range of sustainably made gift wrap and greeting cards feature nods to her cultural identity and Nigerian heritage with the use of bold Ankara patterns and British slang. We chat to her to learn more about how she fuses her different cultures into bold and energetic prints and paper goods.
Hi Ufuoma! How would you summarise your collection of gift wrap and greetings cards?
‘Nigerian spirit meets British quirk’, maybe? Hahahaa!
Where do you draw on inspiration for your designs?
Travelling around London – on those rare occasions when I don’t have my headphones on, I catch snippets of conversations and hear phrases that people still use. Cockney slang is pretty obsolete but every so often I’ll hear something and think – ‘that has to go on a card!’
What pushed you to develop your prints into a commercial product and creative business?
Not seeing enough stationery for people like me: a third culture kid. Third culture kids are born to first generation immigrants but grow up and adopt the culture of the nation they chose to settle in, so there is a blending of customs to create a new third culture.
Much of this type of experience was not represented in the media for the first 25 years of my life so I decided to make it myself by creating designs which reflect a combination of identities through language. I combine slang/British phrases and Ankara patterns, each distinctly recognisable on their own.
By bringing these elements together, I feel I am taking up space and forging something kind of new; bold and colourful designs that live in the present but are very much linked to my heritage and the past.
What do you enjoy most about working for yourself?
I call it ‘The Power Hour’. That time of the day (usually the early hours between 1am and 3am ) when inspiration finally hits, doubt disappears and pin point focus decides to show up!
I might have been working on something and not getting anywhere but for some reason when it hits 1am, I’m at my desk and quietly crooning to whatever music happens to be playing. I suddenly feel this rush of energy and know exactly what to do! I haven’t been able to work out how or why it happens. I just know it comes along when I’m tired and supposed to be in bed!
I love this part of being a designer and having a portfolio career as I can work whenever I want. I am fortunate that I don’t have a traditional office job working say 9am – 5pm which would dictate my bed time and work hours.
What is the USP (unique selling point) for your products?
Although there is West African influence, I’ve found it appeals to a diverse audience – much more than I first thought. There are lots of great brands and artists who use slang and well known idioms in their work, but combining it with Ankara patterns is something unique to my practice.
Do you have any favourite items in the collection?
It changes often (!) but there’s one card I like a lot: “You Absolute Legend!”. I have family members who are very much into football and say this A LOT. The colour palette for the design is a nod to old Nigerian postage stamps from the mid-60’s. This period was also significant for the U.K. with England’s ‘66 World Cup win!
How would you like to develop your collection and business?
I’m already working on homeware, but I’d like to design custom collections for museums. There are a couple of beloved institutions in London that could do with a little creative lift. Perhaps this is cheeky of me to say but I think I could do a good job, if approached!
Any final thoughts for us?
Cliché as it sounds, having my work in not just a shop is a full circle moment for me!
Shaven Raven Designs is part of not just a shop‘s selected new designers and makers for 2025.
Each year, not just a shop holds an Open Call for new products from UAL students and alumni. All products and makers are selected by a panel from various disciplines and backgrounds.
This year, 13 new makers were chosen as our new cohort, making it one of our most successful years yet. Our range of practical yet stylish homeware, jewellery and accessories are sure to excite and enhance your everyday style and experience.
Learn more about this years selection of new makers and products.