Surface Pattern Design
I have a huge passion for Surface Pattern Design and have been totally mesmerized by the process for the last ten years.
You can never stop learning, and your passion grows daily as you evolve into the truly creative person you strive to be.
Here are my recommendations on how you can become a surface pattern and textile designer.
The Art Of Surface Print Design
- Learn Adobe Photoshop or Adobe Illustrator
First either get a copy of Adobe Creative Suite, you can do this by purchasing it outright and downloading the software or arrange to pay monthly.
If you opt to pay monthly you will get the full range of apps not just Adobe Photoshop but you will get up to 20+ more including Adobe Illustrator.
Learn everything you can about Photoshop and how it works so that when you start to make patterns you will know a little about the process and what Photoshop can do for you.
There are courses you can view or read online about how to use Adobe Photoshop and what you can achieve with the creative tools …
In the next few months, we will be starting some online courses on how to become a surface pattern designer. Keep an eye out for details.
New SPMP Course – Learn The Art Of Photoshop For Beginners
Create
2. Start Designing
Try out all the creative tools and start to design your patterns.
Make basic patterns and try and put them in repeat, once you have the hang of this, start creating.
Make as many surface pattern design as you can, your time is precious as a designer it’s what you love to do so put your basic knowledge of photoshop to good use and create, create, create.
Compile
3. Make a Portfolio
I always recommend creating a portfolio, where you can select your best ones to promote. You may find that some of your early original work may end up being one of your all-time favorites.
Keep everything, everything you design, create or put into repeat no matter how silly or basic it looks.
Organise
4. Make Folders
Set up folders on your pc –
Sketches
Work In Progress
Completed Surface Pattern Design – Create Subfolders – Categories – Floral – Geometric – Tropical – Ethnic – Paisley – Conversational
Save each piece in the correct folder.
Social Media
5. Create Social Media Accounts
Join Instagram – create a profile and an account upload a snapshot of each pattern – trying not to disclose the total pattern and watermark it.
Join Facebook – create an account and set up a business page – post updates on any new designs you have created.
Join Pinterest – create an account set up a portfolio and upload your patterns each week with information on how they can license or purchase them.
Creative
6. Create your own website
Find a resonable web interface that will allow you to take payments through it.
Design and set up the site – creating a brand for you – a logo and add information about your self, you can just design a one page website to start with.
Administration
7. Set up emails.
Find a suitable email company that you can add your signature style – your logo – all your branded contact details – website – portfolio link – telephone number – email details.
Your Brand
8. Set up branded stationery.
Compliment slips – headed paper – invoices – business cards
Be Passionate
9. Be Unique.
Create a unique style of handwriting – this is when you test out styles of surface pattern designing and find a style you like using such as line drawing or sketching by hand and finishing in photoshop or designing and creating in Vector format – ie on computer.
Your Bio
10. Tell a story.
On your social media clients like to read how you started what your inspiration is and learn about the person behind the brand.
View some of our new members prints
Fancy being part of the fastest-growing members-only community surface pattern marketplace? Apply to join now
Register as a designer
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