This collection of photographs documents the development of the Australian screen-printing company, 'Scribbly Graphics', from the 1978 to 2005. The images illustrate the staff, workshop, merchandise and stores. Graphic designer, Adrienne Higgs, established Scribbly Graphics in 1978, designing printed paper items before turning to fabric printing in the early 1980s. In 1987, Higgs' husband, Norman, joined the business to manage production. His arrival coincided with a decision to concentrate on a range of children's clothing with colourful designs illustrating the antics of Australian animals.

For Higgs, the brightly-coloured patterns were central to her philosophy of developing a uniquely Australian range. 'I have always felt sorry about the way children's shops have cringed away from our own Australian animals,' she said, 'and it has been a sort of crusade for me over the years to get them accepted... Scribbly is entirely and unashamedly in favour of our Australian animals.' Made in Australia from Australian cotton and cotton-knits, the garments were designed to be comfortable and hard-wearing, and could be matched with placement-print t-shirts and plain coloured pieces.

Scribbly Graphics opened its first store at the Sydney Opera House in 1994, followed by a second store at the Queen Victoria Building in 1996. A third store opened at Sydney International Airport in 1997. Since then, the range has grown to include tea-towels, wrapping paper, writing paper, toys and children's fashion accessories. It has gained particular appeal amongst international tourists as well as a local market wanting colourful children's clothing made in Australia with Australian materials.

In 2005, the Australian Embassy in Beijing commissioned Higgs to design and make 3000 Christmas cards for distribution in China. This project confirmed to her that she was recognised and respected as a graphic artist.

The photographs were taken by unknown photographers between 1978 and 2000.

Graphic artist, Adrienne Higgs, donated this collection of children's clothing, shop mannequins, printed stationery, slides and photographs to the Powerhouse Museum in 2007. These items represent the development of her screen-printing company, 'Scribbly Graphics', which she established in 1978 in Thirlmere in the Southern Highlands of NSW. Higgs later moved the company to Sydney where she opened three outlets for her range of printed children's clothing. She sold the company to a Japanese buyer in 2005.

Photographic prints (217), of Scribbly Graphics shops, merchandise, staff and workshop, paper / plastic, photographers unknown, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, 1978-2000

A collection of photographs in different formats, illustrating the staff, shops, merchandise and workshop of Scribbly Graphics. The majority of photographs are contained in a plastic album.

Made: Australia; 1978 - 2000

2007/110/13

1978 - 2000