My journey into Surface Pattern Design

This week I was interviewed by the wonderfully talented Surface Designer and Mentor, Cass of Cass Deller Design. I am a past student of Cass’s incredible course - Surface Pattern Design for Creative Entrepreneurs and it was an honour to be featured on her blog this week. We talked all things Surface Design, finding creative freedom and how my career is evolving into this joyful industry. You can see Cass’s journal post on her website, or read the interview here…

Welcome Sarah! How did you discover the exciting world of Surface Pattern Design?

Surface design for me has become a natural progression from my career in graphic design. I have loved art my whole life and producing work where I had the most creative freedom soon became my favourite part of being a graphic designer. They were my most exciting briefs to receive, although at the time I came across very little of them. So, in a search for more opportunity to use my own artwork I decided to make my own greeting cards and it soon led me to creating my stationery brand Paper Reign.

I designed stationery in my spare time alongside my client work. I loved to design items with my own artwork on them and began to move from designing less on the computer and back to drawing and painting. I found it great fun but juggling every aspect of a product-based business is very time consuming! Surface design became the perfect answer to this, being able to spend more time on what I love to do the most, creating the artwork and designing for other product-based businesses allowing me more creative freedom and opportunity to share my work with people who love it.

What led you to enrol in the SPD course for Creative Entrepreneurs?

Soon after I started Paper Reign I discovered Cass on Instagram. She was designing wedding stationery at the time and she had a similar aesthetic to my own style. Cass was sharing so much of her work, I admired her bravery in doing this, something I felt too shy to do myself at the time. Cass was one of the first people I had found, who I resonated with so much and she became a huge inspiration to me.

I watched her progression into Surface Design with great intrigue and then she offered a mentoring program which I was lucky enough to be a part of. Her teachings during these mentoring sessions elevated my business greatly and began the idea of evolving my work into surface design. Her first Surface Pattern Design Course followed soon after and I jumped straight in!

Did you have any creative experience prior to taking the course?

Yes, about 9 years as a Graphic Designer, and had studied Fine Art at college years earlier.

How would you describe your artistic style and how did the course help you to find your creative voice?

This course teaches how to listen inwardly to your own authentic self and that that is where you’ll find your style. It has helped me hugely in gaining clarity on what that is for me, and then being able to articulate it through words and express it through my artwork.

I have discovered more and more that I am hugely inspired my natural surroundings, being outside and in a coastal environment. Combining the things I loved throughout my childhood; nature, sunshine, the outdoors, the beach, the ocean, and understanding that they are the things that light me up and make my soul happy, and I love to express this when I paint.

What did you enjoy most about the course?

Its hugely inspiring. The work Cass teaches about mindset is excellent. I love personal development and this course is perfect for any creative wanting to elevate their whole self, combining their business with their natural creativity. It takes you on quite a journey, which I cannot recommend enough.

Was there an ‘Aha!’ moment or particular highlight from the course where something just clicked?

Quite a few actually, but I think the work on energy and on ‘limiting beliefs’ and how to overcome them has had the most impact on my mindset. There is also a lot of practical teaching about producing your work and getting it to market. She is so generous in teaching all you need to know, she leaves no stone unturned! It is amazing how much Cass has packed into it.

What kind of creative opportunities have arisen as a result of the skills you gained from the course?

Having just completed my first year back to work after having my daughter, I have enjoyed a lot of opportunities; working with some wonderful clients, wall mural designs, a collaboration with my local art gallery, creating my online pattern library and am now growing that with lots of exciting new designs being uploaded soon. And I have recently had a number of exciting opportunities which I’m looking forward to seeing them come to life in the months ahead.

What are some of the challenges you’ve faced as a designer?

Working on your own, having to figure it all out by yourself. Designing is one part of your work but getting your art out to a wider market and creating a successful business is a lot. Having mentors in your industry is priceless, someone who has achieved what you are aiming for and can show you the way. I cannot speak highly enough of Cass in this way, she is extremely generous in sharing her knowledge and experience, for a designer like myself it is invaluable, and if you’re willing to put the work in, then it gives an excellent blueprint on how to create a successful Surface Pattern Design business.

What do you love most about Surface Pattern Design?

Working with wonderful clients! And having the freedom to create my art based on my own inspirations and then seeing that brought to life with beautiful brands for other people to enjoy.

Where do you see this creative pathway taking you in the future?

To create a comprehensive and exciting pattern library, working with wonderful brands who are aligned with myself in both our values and our style and producing work that will bring joy to their customer based for years to come.

Thank you Cass!

Wondering if this could be for you?

Learn all about surface patter design with Cass Deller

For anyone considering surface design, how to get your beautiful artwork onto textiles, products, packaging etc, work with exciting brands or develop another avenue for your creative business, I highly recommend Cass’s wonderful course SURFACE PATTERN DESIGN FOR CREATIVE ENTREPRENEURS

let me tell you more here...

In this incredible course, Cass teaches all about Surface Pattern Design and developing a successful creative business with your artwork.

It is packed full of practical and experienced knowledge from art licensing, marketing, strategy and planning to creating patterns using Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop, working with amazing brands and developing lasting client relationships.

Cass also takes you on an incredible journey of personal growth, guiding you on developing your mindset and uncovering your unique artistic style, how to create with confidence and tell your very own story through your art.

You gain instant access to 10 exciting modules filled with everything you need to know, presented in a variety of formats that are easily digested and with the flexibility of going at your own pace. Cass also runs LIVE Q&As where you can ask her any questions you may have and listen to and connect with other students in the group as you move through the course.

course outline - 10 exciting modules packed full of so much goodness!

if you’re ready to jump straight in, you can visit her website for all the details and how to enrol, also…

Use my code SARAH to receive 10% off!

click through to course

I highly recommend this course if you are looking to learn more about Surface Pattern Design and are wanting to further your design skills. Due to my positive experience, I am an affiliate of Cass Deller Design therefore if you use my link to enrol in any of Cass’s courses I do receive a commission.

If you do chose to use my code, thank you so much for supporting my small business.

Sarah x