INTERVIEW
MEET THE DESIGNER: LISBET FRIIS
Lisbet Friis is a Danish textile printer who aims to make hand-printed textiles relevant again, with the purpose of keeping this artistic tradition alive in modern design.
At the museum shop, you’ll find a curated selection of cushions and purses designed by Lisbet Friis, one of Denmark’s most prominent contemporary textile printers. Working with hand printing as an artistic practice, Friis brings a traditional craft into a modern design context. Ahead of Trykkraft, Designmuseum Danmark’s major 2025 exhibition, which explores 100 years of Danish textile printing, Friis created a series of unique works specifically for the exhibition. We spoke with her about her background, her approach to textile design, and what continues to inspire her work today.
Can you tell us a little about yourself and your background in design and textile printing?
“I’m an experienced textile and colour designer with a strong professional background in textiles and hand printing. My work combines craftsmanship with functional design, and over the years I’ve taught the subject while also working with international brands and commissioned projects.”
What is most important to you in your work?
“I primarily work with natural materials such as linen and cotton. Colour is not just an added element, it’s the very starting point of my process and something I consider carefully from the first idea to the finished design.”
“I enjoy experimenting by combining traditional printing techniques with new ideas, but it’s essential for me to respect the material and create something beautiful that will last. A deep understanding of the material’s possibilities and limitations is the foundation of good textile design. Craftsmanship and aesthetics go hand in hand, and I strive to let patterns and colours enhance both the quality and durability of the textiles.”
Where do you find your inspiration?
“I often find inspiration in everyday surroundings… Colours in the city, in nature, or in the visual impressions we encounter daily. I translate these impressions into new patterns and colour combinations.”
How would you describe your designs?
“My designs are characterised by strong colours, graphic patterns such as stripes, checks, and dots, high-quality materials, and a clear sense of craftsmanship. I work in the space between artistic expression and functional design, creating textiles that are both visually striking and practical.”
“For me, hand-printed textiles are still highly relevant today, and my work aims to demonstrate exactly that. Textile printing is not something of the past, it’s vibrant, contemporary, and full of potential. That’s why keeping the tradition alive in a modern design context is such an important part of what I do.”