I guess I don’t have to tell you how obsessed I am with temporary tattoos if you follow me on Instagram (here and here for example). It was only a matter of time until I present you a temporary tattoo designer here. What I explain here nonchalantly was actually a hard quest: finding a small business that makes tats and with a design that I liked: not an easy tasks. That’s also what Janine Schmidt thought when she was looking for alternatives to real tattoos and she took matters into her own hands and just started her own business. What an inspiration, right?!
Well, read all about her story in the answers below.
1 | You work as temporary tattoo designer: what drove you to do so?
2014 I wanted to get a „real“ tattoo with the word „smile“ on my wrist. Because the tattoo artist told me that getting a colored tattoo is no good for pregnant women and people who have to take medicine, I started researching alternatives. On the internet I found a website selling temporary tattoos and I was immediately smitten. However, the shipping costs were really high and the design wasn’t exactly what I was looking for. I had this concrete idea in my mind and decided to design my own temporary tattoos. At the end of 2014 I researched for production companies and founded FONRY.
2 | How are you working creatively? Tell me more about your working process.
In the beginning there’s the idea of a design. Which theme do I want to work on? Which color should the design have? How big and for which body part should it be?
Then I start scribbling motives with pen and paper and digitalize them with Photoshop. After that the testing phase starts: printing, cutting, displaying. When the motive has the right size and look, I start finalising.
In Germany there are strict rules for products in the category beauty and cosmetics that I have to follow. I, personally, have a high standard of quality for my tattoos as well. That’s why I produce them at a renowned production site here in Germany. Therefore, FONRY tattoos are meeting all standards and quality controls.
3 | Where do you get inspiration for the tattoos?
I get inspired by looks on the street, jewelry designs and the web. I try to answer the questions: what design would I love to wear and on which body part? Also my friends give me ideas.
4 | What’s your educational background? How did you become a tattoo designer?
I studied music and media management and I am currently working as a freelance PR consultant. I have this passion for drawing and painting since I was going to school. Since then I have never ran out of ideas. With FONRY I can connect my creative side with my education in communication.
5 | Who or what is your biggest influence?
Instagram 😉
6 | What do you love the most about your creative business?
The direct contact with my customers. I attend regularly design markets and festivals and I love how people react positively to my designs and buy the tattoos. I’m at the Elbrausch design market in Hamburg at the end of May for example and in August at the Summers Tale Festival and the Pangea Festival.
7 | What were the first steps you took to be where you are today?
First I told some friends of my idea to get their feedback. A small focus group in my circle, if you want. After getting a lot of „Wow!“ and „Great idea!“, I just started and that was that.
8 | Could you give some practical advice to someone who’s just starting out or considering becoming a tattoo designer?
Research online excessively what’s already there and how you can differenciate from the existing range. Can I satisfy a need with my idea? What do I want to accomplish? Do I want to live on my business? When should it pay off? Try to ask the right questions and make a plan on paper. Ask your friends what they think of the idea and reflect on the questions they ask. If you still believe in your idea: go for it!
9 | Were there any hardships that you had to overcome? How did you manage to do so?
The financial plan was the hardest. Always think about what goals you want to achieve with your idea. I decided to let my label grow organically and still work as a freelancer on PR projects.
10 | What’s next? Any plans for new projects?
I’m really looking forward to summer, the season of open air markets and tatttoos on tanned skin. I’m currently working on new designs with new colors. Stay tuned!
You can buy Janine’s temporary tattoos here. Also follow her on Instagram to get the latest news. I can’t wait to see her new designs coming out.
The series LOOK WHO MADE IT is designated to create a space where I introduce and interview creative minds that I admire. People that work in the creative field, as Makers and Doers.
If you’d like to be featured or know somebody I should introduce, please let me know. You can write me here or on any social media channel.
