If you have ever dreamt of seeing your designs on stationery, fabric, homewares or other products, sharing your art through pattern, and monetising your designs this groundbreaking course is for you!
‘The Art and Business of Surface Pattern Design featuring Rachael Taylor’ is the definitive guide to becoming a surface pattern designer.
Thriving surface pattern designer Rachael Taylor will guide you along this exciting path from developing your signature style to putting a collection together, and from protecting your work to monetising your designs. With a rich combination of design inspiration, practical advice, demonstrations, creative exercises, resources and interviews with leading industry practitioners, this is the go-to guide for anyone wanting to develop their design skills and break into the industry.
Rachael has partnered with award-winning entrepreneur Beth Nicholls, founder of Do What You Love to bring you this groundbreaking ecourse. Find out more about us here. The course also includes advice, insights and examples of creative work from a host of industry experts. Find out more about our contributors here.
Class runs as follows:
Module 1: Designing your way (5 weeks Apr 23-May 26) – This class is now in session and registration is closed (The next Module 1 class will begin on August 27. Registration will open on July 2)
Module 2: Creating your professional identity (5 weeks June 18-July 21)
Module 3: Monetising your designs (5 weeks September 3- October 6). Module 3 includes full access to leading trend forecasting site Stylesight for a limited period!
If you want to break into and succeed in surface pattern design, register now!
This is an online course – lessons will be posted daily Monday to Saturday each week for 5 weeks per module but you do not need to be online at a specific time. The beauty of an online course is that it is up to you when you check in, and you can do the exercises at a time that suits you.
***Gift vouchers now available! Click here for a unique gift***
About the course
The three modules of this course can be taken individually or in combination to kickstart or boost your surface pattern design career. Each module builds on the previous one and the course is open to everyone. Find out more about what is packed into each module below, or see our FAQ…
‘Stitch and Silhouettes’ by Rachael Taylor
Module 1: DESIGNING YOUR WAY
(5 weeks, beginning Monday 23 April 2012) This class is now in session and registration is closed (The next Module 1 class will begin on August 27. Registration will open on July 2)
In this module you will learn everything you need to know to turn basic sketches into elements for pattern design including:
How and where to seek out design inspiration
How to work with colour
How to create moodboards
How to build a pattern
How to develop your signature style and use this to brand your business
How to turn elements of a mixed media painting into a pattern (featuring the work of Kelly Rae Roberts)
Time-saving tricks and industry insider tips
The secrets of successful surface pattern designers
PLUS bonus step-by-step guides to scanning images and basic manipulation in Photoshop, and playing with colour, sketching and creating repeats on your computer, and a downloadable pattern source guide
AND a peek behind the scenes of Rachael Taylor’s life as a dynamic and successful professional surface pattern designer and a glimpse at some previously unpublished designs!
This is for you if:
- You are drawn to colour and pattern
- You want to learn more about how to create your own patterns
- You don’t have time to study surface pattern design at college or university
- You want to join a community of like-minded people on a fun and inspiring creative journey
- You dream of one day licensing your own designs but don’t know where to begin (NB this is the first step – Modules 2 and 3 provide more business-related advice)
You will do this by actually creating a set of source images, designing your own motifs, putting together a colour swatch and a moodboard and designing a set of business stationery.
(NB: You do not need a computer for any of the creative exercises in Module 1, but you will be given valuable bonus guides to help you design on the computer should you wish to)
Please note this course is not assessed and does not include individual critique of your work. It is aimed at those with no prior experience of pattern design, but experienced artists and designers may still find it both inspiring and useful to get into the flow of surface pattern design before moving on to the more business-focused Modules 2 and 3.
Please scroll to the bottom of this page for pricing info.
‘Quirky Autumnal Floral’ by Rachael Taylor
Module 2: CREATING YOUR PROFESSIONAL IDENTITY
(5 weeks, beginning Monday 18 June 2012)
In this module you will learn everything you need to know to become an established professional surface pattern designer including:
How to start your own label
How to develop your signature look
How to build your brand image and get people talking about you the way you want them to
How to understand and predict trends (and how to layout a professional Trend Report in Adobe Illustrator)
How to put a collection together
How to get noticed and get press
How to market yourself and build your online presence
How to protect your work
plus
How to create technical repeats
How to create static and rotating blog ads
How to turn elements of a mixed media painting into a pattern and mock up products (featuring the work of Kelly Rae Roberts)
You will do this by actually creating a sample collection, mini brand look book, press release, and trend report.
PLUS you will receive bonus industry insider tips, generic industry specifications for printing and designing for various products, a selection of template product examples to demonstrate industry standards and an industry jargon-buster
AND the chance to get your work showcased in a dedicated online magazine
This is for you if:
- You have completed Module 1 (although this is not a prerequisite) or have a basic working knowledge of Adobe Photoshop/Illustrator
- You have a basic understanding of surface pattern design and now want to start getting noticed
- You want to set up your own label
- You want to put the foundations in place to pave the way for licensing and other ways of selling your work
- You want to connect with others with similar passions to you
- You are excited about the thought of making a name for yourself
Please note this course is not assessed and does not include individual critique of your work. You will need at least basic knowledge of Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator to get the most out of this module. Please note we do not offer technical guidance for any other software programmes (including free software).
Please scroll to the bottom of this page for pricing info.
‘50’s Inspired Quirky Print’ by Rachael Taylor
Module 3: MONETISING YOUR DESIGNS
(5 weeks, beginning Monday 3 September 2012)
In this module you will learn everything you need to know about monetising your designs including:
How to identify multiple streams of income for your designs
How to sell and license your designs (what they don’t teach you at art school)
The ins and outs of freelancing
How to get into manufacturing your own product
How to choose the right distribution channel for you
How to negotiate a contract that is right for you
How not to get ripped off
How to manage your time and money
How to manage stock levels
How to get a job in design
How to stay motivated
plus
How to create a pattern portfolio to show to potential clients
How to apply patterns to mock up product templates and room sets
How to turn a placement print into a technical repeat for wallpaper or fabric
How to design a Trade Show Brochure in Adobe Illustrator
Invaluable industry info such as colour print specifications for both paper goods & textiles
You will do this by actually creating a mini portfolio for potential licensing clients, a trade show plan and a business development plan.
PLUS you will learn everything you need to know about trade shows (getting in, getting ready, getting customers)
AND the money-can’t-buy bonus little black book of industry contacts!
And if that wasn’t enough, you also get full access to leading trend forecasting site Stylesight for a limited period (this alone is worth more than the entire cost of the course!)
This is for you if:
- You have completed Module 2 (although this is not a prerequisite)
- You have a collection of work but do not know how to get it out in the world, and get it sold
- You want to connect with other emerging designers and learn from industry experts
- You want to know the right contacts in industry to get you where you want to be
- You want to generate more income from your existing designs
- You want to know just how to secure that licensing deal
- You want to make it as a professional surface pattern designer
Please note this course is not assessed and does not include individual critique of your work. You will need at least basic knowledge of Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator to get the most out of this module. Please note we do not offer technical guidance for any other software programmes (including free software).
Please scroll to the bottom of this page for pricing info.
‘Floral and Foliage Circles’ by Rachael Taylor
All this and more…
The cost of each module includes:
- Full access to structured course, with daily posts Monday-Saturday
- Detailed practical instruction from leading surface pattern designer Rachael Taylor
- Private classroom with simple navigation, packed with advice, practical lessons, design inspiration and industry insider tips
- A series of inspiring creative exercises designed to help you grow and develop as a surface pattern designer
- Exclusive audio interviews with industry insiders
- Links to a host of valuable resources
- Access to a community of like-minded people from all over the world
- Extended access to the classroom* (*All participants will have access to their classroom for 4 weeks after the end of each module. For those participants taking 2 or more modules, access will be granted through to December 31 2012!)
- Opportunity to put your questions to Rachael Taylor during classtime
Please note Rachael will respond to questions relevant to each particular module – so questions relating to freelancing will be dealt with during Module 3 etc. Please see above for the breakdown of each module to make sure you sign up for the right one(s)!
Pricing
Module 2 only: £189 / approx USD$299*
Module 3 only: £209 / approx USD$329*
Modules 2 + 3 booked together: £329 /approx $519 (save £69 / approx $109)
*Please note all sales are completed in GBP£. The USD$ figures here are given only as a guideline and the exact amount payable will depend upon the Paypal exchange rate at the time of purchase.
NB: Module 1 is now in session and registration is closed (The next Module 1 class will begin on August 27. Registration will open on July 2)
Gift vouchers are available here!
Dates
Module 1: Designing your way – 5 weeks, beginning Monday 23 April 2012 - This class is now in session and registration is closed (The next Module 1 class will begin on August 27. Registration will open on July 2)
Module 2: Creating your professional identity - 5 weeks, beginning Monday 18 June 2012
Module 3: Monetising your designs - 5 weeks, beginning Monday 3 September 2012
Please note this is an online course – lessons will be posted daily Monday to Saturday each week for five weeks per module but you do not need to be online at a specific time. The beauty of an online course is that it is up to you when you check in, and you can do the exercises at a time that suits you. For participants taking a single module the classroom will remain open for four weeks after the end of class to give you plenty of time to catch up on anything you missed. For those choosing to take 2 modules, access will be granted through until December 31 2012!
About us
The Art and Business of Surface Pattern Design featuring Rachael Taylor is brought to you in association with Do What You Love, providing you tools and inspiration to do what you love, for life. Find out more about us here. You can also connect with The Art and Business of Surface Pattern Design on Facebook and Twitter. You can read testimonials from previous course participants here.
We are thrilled to be joined by a host of expert contributors. See here for more information!
Any other questions?
If you have any questions please first check our FAQ here. If you cannot find the answer you are looking for please feel free to contact us at pattern [at] dowhatyouloveforlife [dot] com
