Surface Design? 5 Common Misconceptions
Well, hello there and Happy Easter! I am so excited to be writing this blog post from… Paris! Paris is my happy place. I grew up here back in the late 60’s and early 70’s and truly left my heart here. I’m back with my husband Tom and my son Matt for a special visit to an amazing Rothko exhibit that ends next week. More on that next week since we’re seeing it tomorrow.
If you've been in my universe for a while, you know what Surface Design is, but if you’re new here. Welcome!
Surface Design is essentially any pattern, design or illustration that goes on any surface. A better way to think about it is to look around yourself right now to see how many things have either a design or a repeating pattern on them. A repeating pattern is also called a seamless pattern where the design goes on endlessly from left to right, and top to bottom.
You’ll see designs and patterns on your carpets, the wrapping papers you use, the fabric on your couch or pillows, the duvet cover on your bed, a phone case, clothes, etc. The list goes on and on.
What’s essential is that you realize this industry is huge, and that means the opportunity for us as artists is also huge. Many people fear that the industry must be saturated but in fact, the opposite it true. Because so many products require patterns on them, the opportunities are unlimited when you know how to approach this as a business.
I thought today would be a good opportunity to talk through the 5 most common misconceptions about surface design and surface pattern design, so let’s dig in.
#1 The Market is Saturated
As I just mentioned, this is not the case and in fact the opposite is true. Just think about it. How often, when you go shopping yourself, do you end up purchasing something with either a repeating pattern on it or an illustration of some kind? I don’t know about you, but nearly everything I purchase has a design of some kind on it. For example: the new cosmetic bag with a pretty floral design on the fabric.
#2 Do I Have to Learn a Ton of Complex Programs?
No, but in my opinion, you do need to learn how to use one key program, the industry standard program called: Adobe Illustrator. I teach you how to use this program in my From Doodles to Dollars® program. We just wrapped up last week but I will offer it again. Stay on my email list and you’ll learn when it’s available again. Adobe Illustrator is the industry standard because it gives you and companies interested in your designs, the most flexibility in terms of size and scale.
#3 Is Surface Pattern Design exclusively about Repeating Patterns?
No, and in fact, once you master Adobe Illustrator, you can create all kinds of illustrations for use on products that expands your reach. Repeating patterns are, however, an important cornerstone of the market because so many products look more beautiful with a repeating design on them. Think wallpaper, wrapping paper, tapestries, etc. But don’t overlook the enormous greeting card industry where most cards have illustrations, not repeating patterns on them, and use text in unique and compelling ways.
#4 Is Licensing the Only Opportunity to Make Income?
No, and addressing this is really important! Licensing is a great way to make money from your surface pattern designs but it’s not the only way to monetize your work. As I described last week in my blog: 5 Ways to Monetize Your Art, you can sell your work directly or indirectly through various channels. You can also sell your work through workshops and memberships. There are so many options if you put your mind to it and do the work required.
#5 I Don’t Know Where to Start!
The best way to get started it to learn more about Surface Pattern Design. I’ve created an 18 page ebook for you where I categorize the key areas of opportunity. This valuable information is in my free e-book called How to Craft a Career in Surface Design. I dive deep into the different monetization strategies available to you and you’ll discover inspiring, real-life examples of students who've come through my programs and are now monetizing their art in these various categories inside the industry.
Grab your copy and dive in!
xo,
Anne
P.S. Explore Surface Pattern Design by downloading my free ebook HERE.
P.P.S. I won’t be LIVE on Wednesday because I’m in Paris! I’ll share details about my trip in the weeks to come, including how amazing Paris is, especially when seen through the lens of surface pattern design! It’s heavenly.
Remember,
It’s Never Too Late to Create®
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MEET ANNE
Hi…I’m Anne!
My creative inspiration comes from a lifetime of observation. I grew up in Paris on the Place St. Sulpice and walked to school through the Luxembourg gardens. And that was only the beginning… Learn more by watching the video on my About page.
