This Changed Everything: How I Found Surface Pattern Design
It was 2018, and I was sitting at my kitchen table, completely mesmerized by what I was watching on my computer screen.
I'd signed up for my very first online class with an artist named Carla Sonheim. Every other week, we'd get a recorded video lesson teaching us a new creative technique. The deal was simple: watch the lesson, try the technique yourself, then share it in a private community for encouragement and feedback.
I loved everything about the class. The permission to play. The gentle guidance. The supportive community cheering each other on.
But then came the lesson that changed everything.
Carla was teaching us how to create a "repeating" design by hand. Not with software. Not with fancy tools. Just paper, markers, and a simple grid system that made my brain light up like a Christmas tree.
I remember staring at my first attempt at a repeating pattern, turning it this way and that, watching the design flow seamlessly from one edge to the next. Something clicked inside me that I didn't even know was waiting to be unlocked.
I was hooked.
The Joy of Creating Something Real
The rest, as they say, is history. Except it wasn't just history for me; it became my entire future.
I immediately went online searching for everyone I could learn from about surface pattern design. At that point, I didn't even know what to call it. I just knew I wanted to create more of these magical repeating patterns.
That search led me to Skillshare, where I devoured courses from three incredible teachers: Bonnie Christine, Elizabeth Olwen, and Dylan Mierzwinski. Each one opened new doors for me. Bonnie showed me the business possibilities. Elizabeth inspired me with her whimsical style. Dylan taught me technical skills that made everything feel more achievable.
I couldn't get enough. I was learning at a pace that surprised even me, staying up late into the night practicing techniques by hand, creating pattern after pattern and ordering samples of my own fabric and wrapping papers.
But here's the thing that still amazes me: despite how transformative this discovery was for me, most people I talk to have never heard of surface pattern design. It remains one of the best-kept creative secrets out there.
So What Exactly Is Surface Pattern Design?
If you're new to this world, let me explain.
Surface pattern design is the art of creating repeating patterns that can be printed on just about any surface you can imagine. Think fabric for clothing, quilting cotton, home decor textiles, wallpaper, wrapping paper, stationery, phone cases, throw pillows, tote bags, and so much more.
The magic is in the repeat. A well-designed pattern tiles seamlessly, meaning when you place one tile next to another, the design flows continuously without any visible breaks or edges. It's like creating an infinite canvas of your artwork.
And here's what makes it even more exciting: you don't need to be a trained artist to do this. You can start with simple doodles, photographs you've taken, watercolor paintings, or even digital illustrations. The key is learning how to make those designs repeat seamlessly.
A Little History
Surface pattern design isn't new. In fact, it has a rich history that spans centuries.
William Morris, the famous British textile designer from the 1800s, is often called the father of modern pattern design. His intricate, nature-inspired patterns revolutionized the decorative arts movement. If you've ever seen those gorgeous botanical wallpapers with detailed leaves and flowers flowing across the surface, you've seen Morris's influence.
Morris believed that beautiful design should be accessible to everyone, not just the wealthy. He created patterns that brought nature indoors and transformed everyday objects into works of art. His philosophy was simple: surround yourself with beauty in your daily life.
Fast forward to the 1960s, and you have companies like Marimekko in Finland creating bold, graphic patterns that became iconic. Marimekko's designs are playful, colorful, and unapologetically joyful. They prove that patterns can be both artistic and commercial, beautiful and functional.
Today, surface pattern design is experiencing a renaissance. Independent artists can create patterns and license them to manufacturers, upload designs to print-on-demand platforms, or even start their own product lines. The barriers to entry have never been lower.
Why This Matters
Here's what I want you to hear: it's never too late to discover your creative calling!
When I took that first class with Carla Sonheim, I was in my late fifties. I'd spent decades in corporate America, climbing the ladder, checking the boxes, doing what I was "supposed" to do. I had buried my creative dreams so deep I'd almost forgotten they existed.
But that one lesson on repeating patterns cracked something open inside me. It reminded me that creativity isn't just for art school graduates or people who've been drawing since childhood. It's for anyone who feels that pull, that whisper that says, "What if I could see my own designs on fabric?"
Surface pattern design became my creative outlet, my side business, and eventually my full-time career. It gave me a way to express myself artistically while also building something meaningful and profitable.
And the best part? The learning curve is manageable. Yes, there are technical skills to master, especially if you're working in programs like Adobe Illustrator. But the fundamentals can be learned by anyone willing to take it step by step.
The Possibilities Are Endless
One of the things I love most about surface pattern design is its versatility.
Maybe you want to design fabric for quilters. Perhaps you dream of seeing your patterns on wrapping paper to make every celebration more joyful. You might envision a line of greeting cards featuring your unique style, or fabric collections that interior designers use in their clients' homes.
The market for unique, handcrafted patterns is huge. Consumers are increasingly drawn to products that feel personal and distinctive, rather than mass-produced and generic. They want to know there's a real person behind the design, someone who put thought and care into creating something special.
As a surface pattern designer, you can work with manufacturers who pay licensing fees to use your designs. You can sell your patterns on print-on-demand platforms where customers choose your designs for their custom products. You can even create your own branded products and sell them directly.
The business models are as varied as the patterns themselves.
Why This Remains a Secret
So why don't more people know about surface pattern design?
I think it's partly because the industry has traditionally been quite insular. For many years, textile design was something you studied in art school, and then you worked for big companies creating patterns for their collections. It wasn't something the average creative person even knew was possible to pursue independently.
But the internet changed everything. Now you can learn surface pattern design from your kitchen table. You can connect with other designers around the world. You can access tools and platforms that were once only available to professionals.
The secret is getting out, slowly but surely. And I'm on a mission to spread the word even further.
Where to Start Your Journey
If reading this has sparked something in you, if you're feeling that same excitement I felt back in 2018 when I first learned about repeating patterns, then I want to help you take the next step.
I've created a free ebook called "How to Craft a Career in Surface Pattern Design." In it, I share the exact roadmap I wish I'd had when I was starting out. It covers everything from understanding the industry to exploring different revenue streams.
This isn't about making empty promises or overnight success stories. It's about showing you a realistic path forward, one that honors both your creative dreams and your practical needs.
Whether you want to build a full-time business or simply explore surface pattern design as a joyful creative outlet, this ebook will give you the clarity and direction you need to begin.
Your Creative Story Is Waiting
Looking back at that moment in 2018 when I first learned about repeating patterns, I'm so grateful I said yes to that curiosity. I'm thankful I allowed myself to explore something new, even when I had no idea where it would lead.
Surface pattern design gave me permission to be both an artist and an entrepreneur. It showed me that creativity and commerce don't have to be at odds. And it reminded me that our most fulfilling chapters can begin at any age.
If you've been searching for a creative path that combines artistry with possibility, surface pattern design might just be your answer too.
The secret's out. The door is open. And your patterns are waiting to be created.
Ready to explore this creative opportunity? Download my free ebook: "How to Craft a Career in Surface Pattern Design" and start your pattern design journey today.
And remember…
It’s Never Too Late to Create®
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The Creative Business Spark Podcast.
Subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.
Create your very first repeating pattern by following my Three Golden Rules. Grab this downloadable PDF workbook and get started today.
Get started for just $10.00. Click HERE for details.
Up level your surface pattern design skills and learn at your own pace in The Pattern Design Academy® Self-Study Program!
Enjoy working at your own pace? Enroll in the Pattern Design Academy® Self-Study program. Click HERE for details.
The Creative Business Mastermind is my highest level program. Learn how to implement the 6-part framework I used to build my creative business from scratch.
By application only. Click HERE for details.
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.
