When I first discovered surface pattern design I felt like a giddy, playful child once again. I was bursting with excitement and bewildered at how I had not known about this industry until now! All of a sudden I could see a way to combine all of my creative interests into one career path and I felt like the opportunities were endless.

Feeling like I suddenly had a new lease of life, a spring in my step and a productive outlet for my creativity I dived headfirst into learning as much as I could. Everything I read, watched, worked on and developed was directly associated with my new passion.

I was honestly having the bestest of times!!! But it wasn’t long before all this enthusiasm and excitement turned into complete overwhelm. Suddenly I felt completely lost, confused in what direction to go and doubtful that my work would make any significant mark on the world.

You see with endless opportunities there comes indecision. There were so many things I wanted to develop, to learn, to progress with, but I clearly couldn’t do them all!

So I had to take a step back, consider what aspects I loved the most, work out what my overall goal was and then set achievable targets to help get me there.

And this is my advice to you!

Know that the possibilities are endless, but keep your targets realistic.

As you delve into surface pattern design, it's essential to set tangible goals and targets that reflect your aspirations and ambitions. Whether you aim to create a collection of patterns for fabric, wallpaper or stationery or develop your own product range, break down your objectives into manageable steps.

Start by honing your design skills and exploring different techniques and styles. Set deadlines for completing specific projects or mastering new tools, allowing yourself to track your progress and celebrate your achievements along the way.

Focus on one thing at a time - if you jump around all over the place you will struggle to finish anything and will soon feel like you aren’t getting anywhere.

In the realm of surface pattern design, focus and mindset are your guiding stars. Cultivate a mindful approach to your design process, immersing yourself in the intricacies of colour, form and composition.

Maintain clarity of purpose as you progress on your creative journey. Define your aesthetic vision and design goals and use these to keep you on track. Try not to get distracted away from your chosen focus, until you feel the time is right to move on to your next target. Trust in your intuition and creative instincts, knowing that every design decision is an opportunity for growth and self-expression.

Embrace the creative process. Lean in to the things you love as this is where your best work will shine through.

At the heart of surface pattern design lies the joy of creation and the thrill of seeing your designs come to life. Find delight in the process of experimenting with patterns, motifs and colour palettes, allowing yourself the freedom to play and explore without constraints.

Seek inspiration from the world around you, drawing from nature, art and everyday experiences to infuse your designs with depth and meaning. Embrace the serendipity of happy accidents, knowing that sometimes the most beautiful patterns emerge from unexpected sources.

Let’s do this!

So there you have it - some little nuggets of advice to give you a good head start as you embark on your journey into the world of surface pattern design.

Remember - surface pattern design is an invitation to explore, create and express yourself in new and exciting ways. With an open mindset, a clear set of goals and some achievable targets you will be able to focus on the aspects you enjoy the most as you gradually gain confidence, new skills and a deeper understanding of how to get where you would like to be.

So, gather your brushes, your pens and your digital tools and let your ideas come to life. Embrace the adventure, savour the journey and take pride in each of your creations as you begin to imprint your creative stamp on the world.

Plus don’t forget to download this weeks free resource:

“Tips To Get You Started In Surface Pattern Design”

- a comprehensive list, broken down into a workable order, that you can follow step by step or simply lean into each development stage as you enter it and move around the list in an order that suits your journey.

Join me next time as we explore ways to adopt a mindful approach to creativity.

Don’t want to miss a post?

Simply join “Beyond The Pattern” and I will send a blog link directly to your inbox each week, along with the relevant Freebie!

See you next time,

Yvonne x