Hello!
I recently completed
MATS part A - Lilla Rogers' incredible course - I will be reviewing it soon on here but I just wanted to share some valuable information with you that I've found really, really helpful.
A lot of people on the course seemed, like me, to be very concerned about developing their own, unique style. Lots of people asked Lilla questions about this and here I am going to share what I took from the advice she gave. I can't recommend MATS enough if you are looking to up your game in the surface pattern/illustration world.
Just keep making work
Seems kind of obvious but it does take a degree of confidence and a whole lot of determination to keep going. Making work means putting pen to paper, brush to canvas, stylus to tablet... Going off into your own world of invention and therefore you need to...
...Keep research time to a minimum
The procrastination trap that is 'research' - hundreds of Pinterest pins, trawling through magazines and websites, hours spent 'comp' shopping. Information overload, bored with the subject before you even start to create... Lilla provided a few photos as inspiration to whet our appetites when giving out an assignment and gently suggested that we could just use those instead of spending more time researching and better use our time to draw, draw, draw and create our own unique motifs. And this research rationing can also help you to...
...Stop comparing your work to everyone else...
This kills my creativity if I'm starting a new project. If I start looking at anyone else's work on the same subject I decide that they can do it way better than me and there's no point me even trying... Ouch! So I've learned that...
...Looking at the current work of your contemporaries is not really research
Whilst it's great to admire what other people are doing, keep in touch with current trends etc, I feel it's better to look at the work of others outside of time spent researching for a project. I peruse
Print and Pattern etc outside of my working hours in a conscious effort not to let what I see directly inform my work. I feel this to be a really big step in getting to grips with who you are as a designer and developing your style. Look beyond the world of surface pattern for inspiration and that way you will bring your own unique view of the world to your work. So I came up with a plan to...
...Make a style file! Fun task!
I prefer to do mine on my computer but you could have a scrapbook or journal if you prefer. I created a folder simply called 'Style File' on my desktop and whenever I see an image I like I add it to my file. I don't add anything to it from current pattern design - from designers websites or shops - in fact I try to steer clear of actual surface pattern design stuff altogether though I may look at fashion or vintage textiles. Instead I try to look to other areas for inspiration that interest me. I try to take myself on a little journey looking at things that are unfamiliar - nature, architecture, vintage design... I also find
Wiki Art is great - looking at art can be really inspiring and this app is great if like me you live far from galleries and museums. Look up your favourite museums online - many have searchable catalogues. Basically create your unique collection of images of objects, textures, fonts, colours that you can turn to whenever you need inspiration. Treat it as a journey of discovery and have fun collecting things that make you sing because as Lilla always says...
Thanks as always for reading. I hope this is helpful and I always love to hear from other surface pattern designers so
please do get in touch!
Love Frankie x
