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All in a Day's Work: Tom Pigeon

By Millie Jobson

In Issue 5 of All in a Day’s Work, Millie speaks with Manchester-based multidisciplinary designer Kirsty Tanner of Tom Pigeon.

February 9th, 2026

I first came across Kirsty Tanner of Tom Pigeon when they kindly offered to donate a print to our 2021 Print Auction to raise money for our Graphic Design degree show at Manchester School of Art. Kirsty’s generosity always stuck with me and since then I have loved her thoughtful and joyful visual language which always feels like timeless and fun reinterpretations of classic graphic motifs.

Tom Pigeon has collaborated on bespoke design commissions for art and fashion institutions like The Barbican, Tate Modern, The Design Museum, V&A and Selfridges to name a few. My personal favourite of their commissions is The Barbican x Eames collaboration where Kirsty captured the playful energy of Ray & Charles Eames to postcards and print to accompany the 2015 exhibition. Like Tom Pigeon, the use of colour and shape in Eames’ mid-century design work is so recognisable yet universal in terms of its elements.


The Tom Pigeon visual style seamlessly translates so well across prints, paintings, jewellery and stationery design. The stripped back style is considered and impactful with each shape and colour choice beautifully crafted. Founded in 2014, the studio has consistently explored colour while keeping contemporary craft at its core. I was particularly interested to hear Kirsty’s reflections on the design industry over recent years.

Name:
Kirsty Tanner / Tom Pigeon

Role:
Artist, designer, maker

Summary of your work:  
I am a multidisciplinary creative and the director of design studio Tom Pigeon. I work across jewellery, print, product and homewares and also have a personal practice as a fine artist working in paint and collage.

Starting the day

  1. What do you enjoy seeing on your to-do list?

    Painting / New Orders / Collaborations

  1. Do you encounter any simple moments of design joy on your commute?

    I try to walk or cycle to the studio which takes me through various parks and down the side of the canal. I believe there are kingfishers but I’ve yet to spot them.

Ribbon Set 2

The working day

  1. Why are you based in the North & is it important to what you do?

    I live in Manchester and studied (a long time ago) in Salford. I’ve lived in the North West on and off over the past 30 years and seem to be constantly drawn back to the people, atmosphere and creative scene here. I think there’s a strong creative community here and opportunities to collaborate, exhibit and be part of a bigger scene - that stuff is important to me.

  1. What do you think is the current state of the creative / design industry in the North?

    I’m quite new to Manchester, having lived previously in Liverpool, but I think both cities share a really strong sense of creative vision, independence and ambition. The creative industries everywhere have really taken some knocks in recent years and I’m sure the lack of funding for creativity in schools and universities is going to have a significant long term effect. I think the flip side of this is that our creative communities are working harder, being more resourceful and collaborating more to really make things work. I see so much amazing grass roots and peer support work going on in the North right now and we have to champion that. 

Tom Pigeon03

End of the day

  1. Where do you find community and connection outside of work?

    I have amazing lifelong friends in both Liverpool and Manchester and whilst we all work really hard we also work hard to hang out and maintain our friendship. I also do yoga, love a trip round a gallery, a long walk with my partner or a car boot sale and spend a little bit too much time in the local pub!

  1. What does a satisfyingly complete day look like?

    It needs to start with sunshine! Some nature on the way to work, not too many emails to answer, a day of painting, experimentation and really physical creative work, maybe lunch in the courtyard, a studio that isn’t absolute chaos by the end of the day, a warm cycle home, a bit of vegetable gardening, a glass of wine and something really tasty for dinner.

Img 2778 2


Day after day:

  • What symbolises the North for you?

    Integrity and community (oh and rain!)

  • What are you watching on telly?

    Banjo and Ro’s Grand Island Hotel - pure joy!

  • A piece of everyday design that you adore?

    My ceramic beaker by Tom Philipson - it has no handle so is not ideal for a cup of tea but it feels like it has been hewn from the earth and I really love that.

Landform 013 6 Print


Like Kier (Issue 03 of All in a Day’s Work), Kirsty finds integrity as a defining value of the North. This interview series has really highlighted to me the shared resilience of the creative community in the North and the admiration Northern creatives have for one another, particularly in the way they pull together through collaboration.

The shared love for the community in the North is so special. This series is only possible because of the openness of the community and the collective desire to support each other. 

Thank you Kirsty for sharing your insights into your Day’s Work it paints a beautiful picture of your mindful cycles and moments enjoying the sunshine echoing the same intention found in your approach to design and craftsmanship.

Find Kirsty's work here on Instagram

Also, thank you for reading, I hope you enjoyed, LMK your thoughts and stay tuned for the next editions of All in a Day's Work by Millie Jobson

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