I don’t remember exactly what day in August I started calling this a “business”… but over the past three years, I’ve just lumped my surface pattern design business birthday in with my own birthday (and my mom’s… hi Mom!). It’s the first of the month, it’s easy to remember, and as I kid, I was conditioned to lump August birthdays together because that’s what they did in school (… I’ll resolve those emotions later).

It feels a little crazy that I’ve been designing art to go on products for three years (time flies when you’re having fun), but here we are! My technique, style, and brand name have changed since I started and I’ve learned a ton, so I thought it’d be fun to share three things that helped me grow over these past three years!

Say “Yes!” before you’re ready:

I know this is a common piece of advice, but one I really wish I’d learned (or listened to) sooner. I heard about Society6 back in 2016 I think, but wasn’t confident enough in my design skills (nor was I at a point in my life where I was willing to invest in an iPad Pro and pencil) to even create work to upload. Looking back, I realize that what pushed me to try new things and learn new techniques and programs was the desire to improve. If Who knows how my business would have been different if I started uploading in 2016, but we’re here now!

Another thing I wish I’d said “yes” to much earlier was the question “Are you a Surface Pattern Designer?” Not that anyone asked me that directly, but it look me a LONG time (and hearing Elizabeth Silver’s encouragement on a webinar) to say “I’m a surface pattern designer AND a marketing professional” not just “a marketing professional with a design hobby.” TBH, still working on that one a little.

What I’m hoping to say “Yes” to next: combining more of my experience in marketing with Surface Pattern Design. No courses or education plan here (just not the direction I want to take my business), but I’ve created a system (and product) called the Content Calendar Kit that I am hoping to launch soon in a Print on Demand format, but I’ve also pitched it to some traditional publishers… keep your fingers crossed for me!

Take one step at a time:

Cue Jordin Sparks (it’s a very specific reference, I know). Every time I try to push ahead on too many different things at once, all of them suffer. Back in 2019, I decided to upload everything to Society6, Redbubble, and Etsy (with Printful). Nope. When I started focusing on Society6 and just making my technique and art better for one platform, I was enjoying my business more and I started to see more traction. I didn’t add a second platform until 2022 when I started creating seamless repeats and opened a Spoonflower shop. (I did also add Deny Designs in early 2022, but they pull from my Society6 designs, so it’s not an additional upload). I think it’s easy to try to do everything at once because our community is often talking about diversifying income, but tackling one at a time is more sustainable in the long term.

My next step is to start some more pitching for licensing, but am giving myself some time to really fill out my Spoonflower shop before creating licensing-first work. I’m still doing some pitching when it makes sense, but I do not currently have designs that are separate from what’s available on Society6 and Spoonflower (if you’re an art director, 1) Hi! 2) I’m willing to retire designs from POD for category exclusive licenses if you’ve got your eye on anything!)

Do what you love:

This is definitely not a get rich quick industry, and I’ve learned that in order to really “make it” in Surface Pattern Design (or your own business in general I guess) is to love what you do. I genuinely enjoy drawing, creating, and even talking about my business which I think has been the key to growth over the past three years. I also think that realizing the things I don’t like has helped me shape my business. I’m not interested in holding inventory, email newsletters, or being in front of a camera… so I’ve built my business to generally avoid these things (I know, I should start an email newsletter).

In the future, I’m looking to add to doing what I love by continuing to focus on creating, but also hopefully doing more with small businesses - both with art licensing and wholesale through Deny Designs and with the Content Calendar Kit!

Whether you’ve been following my journey for three years, or a few days - thanks for being here. Cheers to the next year, and many more!