Brandy Janke, The Tile Shop Product Designer<\/p><\/div>\n

What was your path to becoming a product designer? Were you always interested in that field?<\/strong><\/p>\n

I never would have guessed I’d end up in product design but, looking back, it makes perfect sense because design has always been a big part of my life. In kindergarten, other kids were drawing pictures of their families and I was drawing floor plans! I got a lot of this from my dad who taught interior design. Because of his influence, I was directly connecting to my surroundings at home. When I got older, I discovered that I was interested in how I could improve someone\u2019s everyday space and their life, so I decided to study interior design at the University of Wisconsin-Stout. I loved my ceramics class there because it taught me about layering glazes and how different temperatures achieve different effects. After I graduated, I realized tile was the perfect fit for me and my experiences.<\/p>\n

You began at The Tile Shop on the sales floor. Can you tell us a little about your journey to where you are now?<\/b><\/p>\n

After sales, I worked my way up to assistant manager and then store manager. I started noticing and pointing out trends that we were missing or products that I thought would sell well in our stores, and then I was able to move up to the corporate office. In my time at the stores, I learned that tile serves a functional purpose but also plays an important role in design.<\/p>\n

“Nouveau Raku<\/a> was born out of the combination of two trends I saw in the industry. Both wood-look and cement-look tiles are popular so I combined them into one unique design.”<\/p><\/div>\n

Learning how to work with designers, builders and customers who all have different experiences with tile was an important lesson, too. Regardless of if they’re using tile in their day-to-day work or doing a first-time project, everyone can use some assistance creating their vision and blending function with fashion.\u00a0What I’m doing now allows me to go a step further and develop products that add a special designer touch to a space. It’s exciting knowing I’m creating something that could be a special part of someone’s home for many years.<\/p>\n

“This was such a fun one! I started with the idea of a board game or a maze and spun it on its head. The path doesn’t actually connect which makes this pattern visually disruptive and more interesting to the eye.” Featured: Victoria Grey Meander Marble Mosaic<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n

What are you most proud of in your career at The Tile Shop?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Definitely the amazing designer collaborations I’ve worked on! From the new Annie Selke collection<\/a> to Laura Ashley<\/a> and Ted Baker<\/a>, collaborating with creators, artists and visionaries of great brands has taught me a lot. I\u2019ve learned how I can help guide our partners as they enter a new product category while also appealing to their current customer base and staying true to The Tile Shop\u2019s vision. I love collaborating and bringing the best of two worlds together to create something amazing and new. Knowing that these designs are in homes and a part of people’s lives is a fulfilling feeling.<\/p>\n

“I noticed arrow motifs trending in decorating, so I wanted to design a tile based on that inspiration. The Victoria Grey Archer with white marble mosaic<\/a> makes a traditional chevron design more modern by incorporating this arrow design.”<\/p><\/div>\n

What are your favorite Tile Shop tiles?<\/strong><\/p>\n

I’ll always have a special connection to the tiles I\u2019ve created, and I love to see the salespeople have fun designing with them. But I\u2019d have to say my favorite is the one I designed that got me this job, the Modern Vineyard listello<\/a> and mosaic<\/a>. To see that come to life and to become a part of our product assortment was exciting.<\/p>\n

Brandy’s Modern Vineyard stone mosaic<\/a> come to life. The full wall highlights the inspiration behind the design and the name of the tile\u2014vines.<\/p><\/div>\n

Brandy’s Top 10 Tiles<\/h2>\n

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Modern Vineyard Mosaic
Stone |\u00a0616082<\/p><\/div>\n

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Nouveau Raku
18 x 18 in | Ceramic |\u00a0680539<\/p><\/div>\n

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Glass Silver Diamond Mosaic
1 x 3.5 in | Glass |\u00a0616133<\/p><\/div>\n

<\/a><\/div>\n

Victoria Grey Archer w\/ Glass Snow Mosaic
Marble |\u00a0616154<\/p><\/div>\n

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Victoria Grey Meander Mosaic
Marble |\u00a0616156<\/p><\/div>\n

<\/a><\/div>\n

Rogue Hex Encaustic
8 x 9 in | Cement | 680717<\/p><\/div>\n

<\/a><\/div>\n

Agrigento
8 x 8 in | Ceramic |\u00a0680812<\/p><\/div>\n

<\/a><\/div>\n

Glass Platinum Liner Pencil
.375 x 12 x .25 in | Glass |\u00a0616016<\/p><\/div>\n

<\/a><\/div>\n

Monroe Marquina
Marble |\u00a0616085<\/p><\/div>\n

<\/a><\/div>\n

Modern Vineyard Listello Mosaic
10 x 12 in | Marble |\u00a0616083<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n