There comes a point for many surface pattern designers when everything starts to feel heavy. You’re posting your work, uploading to platforms, pitching to companies, freelancing when opportunities appear, trying to build an audience, trying to build a portfolio, trying to build momentum. On paper, you’re doing everything you’ve been told to do. And yet […]

What if your next collection isn’t something you need to force yourself to create from scratch? What if the work most likely to connect with your audience, generate sales, or bring clarity to your direction is something you’ve already started? As designers, we often feel pressure to constantly create something new. Fresh collections. New ideas […]

There aren’t often enough conversations in this industry about income. How much can a surface pattern designer realistically make?Are designers selling exclusive buyouts, licensing their work, or doing a mix of both?Which platforms are actually working right now?And how long does it usually take before design work starts generating consistent income? These are important questions, […]

There’s often a moment of hesitation that shows up when you’re about to hit send and share your art with a potential client, studio, or agent. You might find yourself wondering: Is my portfolio ready?Are the designs strong enough?Will I hear back? But hearing back isn’t always about whether the artwork is good enough. Often, […]

As surface pattern designers, it’s not always just a question of whether you can sell your art, but also how you structure the sale. You might be sharing your work on platforms, pitching studios or getting DMs from clients and not realizing that how you sell or license your surface pattern designs will shape your […]

Here are some tips on how to set the right price points for your surface pattern or print designs & attract dream clients. A commonly asked question among creatives in the surface pattern or print design industry is how to strategically price their work. We want a price point that attracts our dream clients, pays […]

Here are some tips on how print designers can overcome the imposter syndrome, build confidence, and succeed. If you’re a print designer struggling with feelings of self-doubt or personal incompetence in spite of your education, experience, or background, you’re not alone. This is quite common in our industry, and that’s why I want to focus […]

Tips to create apparel print design portfolios that help you land your dream job and clients and grow your print design business. If you want to succeed in the apparel print design space, you’ll want to focus on building a profitable portfolio.   I cannot stress the importance of a high-quality portfolio for all apparel print […]

Ten years in, here’s what I wish someone had told me about finding clients as a surface pattern designer. In the world of surface pattern design, standing out is what we are all after. It is the direct path to consistent clients, sales, and opportunities that build recurring income. If you are putting in the […]