Studio Tuesday #11 Genine Delahaye

Welcome, welcome, welcome! 
Studio Tuesday is here again and today we are featuring the wonderful Genine Delahaye, designer of all things cute and colourful. A winner of The Art and Business of Surface Pattern Design scholarship, Genine shares her journey and some of her working practices with us today. I love Genine's work - it's original and oh so colourful and cheerful. Genine proves here that if you have a passion and are willing to work at it, you can indeed do what you love.

Enjoy reading about Genine below. And don't forget, whether you are a beginner, or a more established pattern designer, you too can be featured on my blog, so do get in touch!
Happy Tuesday,
Love Frankie x

Name/Company or Studio name: GENINE DELAHAYE DESIGN

Where and how did you start your surface pattern design journey? 
It all came about when I made the conscious decision to leave my PA job for my local council. I had left school at sixteen and due to my circumstances at the time was forced to start work and earning money as soon as possible. As a result I started work as an admin assistant even though my wish was to go to college and study Art and Design. I became almost trapped in this career, with responsibilities piling up and only ever having qualifications in administration. I didn't have much choice but to stay on this path for the next few years. I became quite unhappy with my career choices and knew that this wasn't what I should or wanted to be doing. 

After a holiday to Jamaica in 2008 I decided life was too short, and on my return I handed my month's notice in to my current job, without having anything else lined up or knowing quite what I was going to do! A big gamble but one that luckily for me paid off. I found a position with a design studio based in London called My Sugarcube Ltd. I was still working in admin but I openly spoke about my aspirations of becoming a designer at the interview. In a way it was almost like an apprenticeship! I soaked up the world around me like a sponge, I loved the design industry and knew I had made the right choice in pursuing my dream! After years of watching, learning, developing I started submitting my own designs to the company's collection and to my shock and surprise at the time, started to receive my first sales! This was a huge confidence boost to me and it fuelled me to keep going and keep trying. The company unfortunately ceased trading in 2012 which left me in a bit of a pickle.

I didn't feel I was quite ready to go it alone and become a freelancer, but again the circumstances forced me to make a choice. I decided to give myself six months as a freelance childrenswear and print designer and if I wasn't successful after this time I would go back to my day job. I am so so happy to report that things really took off for me. I won the print and pattern scholarship for a free place on The Art and Business of Surface Pattern Design course and the rest is history. I started to win my first private commissions, sell more work with my agents, and make a living from doing what I love! I'm a very lucky and very happy girl to say the least. 

How do you approach a project/piece of work or collection? 
I usually have a rough idea in my head as soon as I hear the details of the project, if not I take some time out and research, research, research! Pinterest is a great source on inspiration for me. I also doodle and try not to take it so seriously or put pressure on myself to come up with something, I think its very important to keep the process as fun as possible! I find I can produce some of my best work this way but still keep things professional. 

Favourite pencil/pen? 
Love my ink pen! Failing that it's pencil all the way for me.

Music, radio, stories or silence? 

If it's a big project I tend to start with silence so I can get a good handle on it and get off to a good start without any distractions. Then when I'm in a good place with the design, I put some upbeat tracks on and pump up the volume. :-)

Night owl or early bird? 
I would say more of a Night owl.

Illustrator or Photoshop? 
Definitely Illustrator, it was the first programme I learnt and as a result it will always be my favourite.

What size art board do you design repeats on? 
I try to keep it standard A4 or A3.

Design heroes? 
Ohhh so many its hard to choose! I would say the big ones that stand out for me are Orla Kiely, Helen Dardik and Jillian Phillips. All have a strong, individual style which I very much admire.

Dream clients or design goals? 
Would love to work on some gorgeous stationery prints for Paperchase. I would also love to get more of my work into mainstream highstreet childrenswear brands such as H&M, Sainsburys, Zara I feel all have a great quirky range of childrenswear products. 

Dream design destination for inspiration? 
Jamaica! such a beautiful, inspiring place and the place where it all started for me :-)

And what are you working on at the moment? 
Im just getting back into designing after having two months off, so starting slowly and easing myself in nicely, preparing some prints for my design agents and working on some small commission projects. Im extremely excited about the year ahead.

Any tips or advice you want to share with us? 
Hmmm...any advice that I could share with designers just starting out would be to try not to doubt yourself and your work, stay true to your style and have fun with it. Your persistence will pay off. 

Studio Tuesday Round Up...

Good morning!

Today I'd like to feature a little bit of a best of round up of my Studio Tuesday feature which has been my favourite part of writing my blog so far. I've picked out some of my favourite tips and presented them all here. If you would like to see all of the Studio Tuesday features so far, just click on the tag to the right of the screen. If you want to see more from a specific designer's Studio Tuesday click on their name after the quote and if you want to go their website, click on their name under each image. Hope this all makes sense! Studio Tuesday returns next week with the wonderful Genine Delahaye. 

Happy Tuesday!
Frankie x

Sophie Honeybelle

"If this is advice for people new to surface pattern design or business, I’d say learn the basics of running a business at the same time as you develop your design work because you still need to know how to set a budget, how to write a business plan, how to sell and so on.

Think really, really carefully before buying Facebook ads. It’s a very expensive gamble.

Join LinkedIn if you’re not already on there, it’s full of interesting groups.

Be patient. In the world of licensing everything tends to take longer than anticipated or desired." Sophie Honeybelle

Tinker & Faff

"I do my repeats in a square, but no particular size. When I came runner up in the Ideal Home Wallpaper competition a couple of years ago they wanted repeats that were the width of a roll of wallpaper – then it was 50cm, so I just did the repeat 50 x 50." Nik from Tinker & Faff

Celandine Designs

"Lay your bricks for the day!!! Don't let the concept of 'talent' scare you, don't let the amazing work of other amazing artists intimidate you. If you feel the desire to create, nurture it, support it, and indulge it a little every day. You won't even notice the progress until you look back a few years later and think 'Holy moly, is this really how far I've come??' And I promise you, at that moment you'll be the proudest thing on this earth :) But you have to lay your bricks for the day, every day." Lidija Paradinovic Nagulov

Anna London

"Make as many connections as you can! I started e-mailing people in the design world that I admired, asking them about how they got started and if they minded sharing advice with me. I used to be shy about reaching out to people and thought they wouldn’t be interested in talking to me, but I’ve been constantly amazed by how kind people are. I also put a lot of effort into creating a social media presence and I’ve come into contact with so many wonderful people that way." Anna  London

Jennie Whitham

"Never give up, I've come close several times, but it is so rewarding when you reach those little milestones. The first licensing contract, the first online feature and even just receiving positive feedback is enough to keep me going." Jennie Whitham 

Ali Benyon

"If you are new to this field then I’d say design a lot and design in many different ways. We are told to try and find our point of difference, our signature style, but how do you find that if you design in one way only (your comfortable style, the safe place you go to when you get a bit nervous). If you love a drawn quality to your work, like me, then why not try doing some really perfect pattern repeats. You never know, you may love working this way, but if you don’t try it, you’ll never know. Oh and stop being such a perfectionist. If it goes wrong, so what, no one’s watching. I believe you have to make many mistakes before you can step out on to the right path that you can call your own." Ali Benyon

Jessica Swift

"Just keep making art. Make lots of it, try not to judge it, and keep moving forward. You'll be amazed when you look back years down the road at all you've accomplished and learned." Jessica Swift

Niamh Fitzsimons

"I still have so much to learn but when I first began I never gave myself a break. I was over worked, I pushed too hard and my work and my health suffered. I had to learn the hard way that there is only so much you can do and to take lots of breaks for yourself. It will all happen when it is meant to for you without breaking your back and not to stress so much or think about tomorrow, just do the very best that you can today and keep moving forward all the time - even 1 small step a day towards your dreams and goals. Don't worry or care too much if other people like it. It is a creative process and a gift that is from something beyond us here so how can we judge it? Just be happy and grateful to be able to do what you do :) My motto is 'Art to Make you Smile'... As long as I can create art to make people smile then I am smiling too. For the rest I try to be as detached as I can be. x" Niamh Fitzsimons

Jilly P

"Keep working hard on developing your own style- I see a lot of people copying other artists work. It's fine to be inspired by what someone else is doing but be sure to do make your work yours and not a version of someone else's." Jilly P 

Studio Tuesday #10 Jilly P

Greetings Pattern Addicts!

Hope you all had a lovely Bank Holiday weekend. 

I've got a delicious helping of pattern goodness to share with you today from the fabulous Jilly P. Just like Niamh Fitzsimons last week, Jillian is inspired by Japanese illustration and Tokyo is her dream design destination. I first came across her work in the first Print & Pattern book and instantly fell in love with it. It's immediately clear when looking at her work that she is really good at working with Illustrator! I've been learning how to make brushes for Ai recently and I was reminded of this when I saw all the lovely textures and versatile mark making in her work.

I hope you will enjoy finding out more about Jillian and her work. I know she was very busy in the run up to Surtex but still found time to contribute this feature to my blog and I really appreciate her taking the time to take part. If you would like to feature, please do get in touch!

Thanks,
Frankie x

Name/Company or Studio name:  Jilly P Studio
Location: Dorchester, UK

Where and how did you start your surface pattern design journey?

My first job was working as a pattern designer for a kidswear forecasting company. I was studying Fashion Design at the time, and needed some work experience. I loved it so much I stayed on there while I continued my studies.

How do you approach a project/piece of work or collection? 

I like to have a really good read through the brief before I do anything. Then I compile a research folder, with ideas and things that inspire me, or I'll make a pinterest board. Once I'm happy with that, I spend time sketching and doodling ideas. Some projects come together quickly, whilst others take a bit more time and thought!

Favourite pencil/pen?

Pen.

Sketchbook or loose leaf?

Bit of both- but mostly loose leaf

How do you keep yourself on track/organised when working on a project?

I always keep a diary with deadlines for different stages of each project. I hate rushing things so I like to be organised and have plenty of time!

What are your creature comforts in your studio/workspace?

I always have a cup of tea (green or english breakfast), my radio playing, my dog Bertie near by and a candle burning (though not near the dog! haha!)- if I need to relax the stresses of a deadline looming.

Music, radio, stories or silence?

Radio- 6music..

Night owl or early bird?

Early bird

Illustrator or Photoshop?

Both but mainly Illustrator

What size art board do you design repeats on?

A4 or A3

Design heroes?

So many- Shinzi Katoh, Orla Kiely, Charley Harper & a long list of Japanese illustrators

Dream clients or design goals?

I'd love to design a homeware range for kids and extend my own stationery range.

It would be lovely to design for Ikea one day.

Dream design destination for inspiration?

Tokyo still remains top of my list, it's so inspiring and I'd love to visit Seoul next.

And what are you working on at the moment?

I'm designing kids clothing graphics and also compiling new work for Surtex in May.

Any tips or advice you want to share with us?

Keep working hard on developing your own style- I see a lot of people copying other artists work. It's fine to be inspired by what someone else is doing but be sure to do make your work yours and not a version of someone else's. 

Studio Tuesday #9 Niamh Fitzsimons

Gooooood Morning! 

Delight your eyes on this glorious Studio Tuesday morning!

Today Niamh Fitzsimons gives us a sneak peek into her colourful world of work. Niamh, who hails from the Emerald Isle worked in Design for Philips in Holland for many years before realising her true calling. These days Niamh runs her own successful studio in Dublin, creating surface patterns for licensing as well as having just launched her own product line of cute, personalised wall art for babies and children.

I've never met Niamh but just from looking at her work and reading her Q&A you get the impression she's incredibly focussed on her work and very happy as a result. The happiness and delight in doing what she loves definitely shows in her characters and design - they really do bring a smile to your face! Thanks to Niamh for being so generous with her advice and sharing her experience!

Read on to find out more about Niamh and her work and enjoy the rest of your day! 
Frankie x

Studio name: Niamh Design Studio
Location: Dublin Ireland
http://www.niamhdesignstudio.com

Where and how did you start your surface pattern design journey?

Considering I am not long in the surface design world my journey began a long time ago. Since I was about 12 I always had a sense that I was destined for something specialised in the Art World. I remember telling my mum when I was 12 that I had a feeling about this and I just did not know what it was. After school I worked in an Art shop and met some graphic designers so I thought I will go to College for Graphic Design. I enjoyed it but I was not fulfilled. When I graduated I moved to Holland for 7 years. I worked in Philips Design for a few years creating sub branding and surface designs for Philips Products. It was here that I created my first pattern on a Philips Product which I LOVED! Before I left, a designer showed me the Print&Pattern blog and it was like a light bulb went on. I saw that people where doing this for a living and I knew at that moment this was my calling. Since I was a young girl I always loved to draw and being a surface designer meant I would be able to draw everyday! When I moved home I began to create patterns and I approached some studios and agents in the US in the hope of gaining some representation while I could learn the surface design business. Three years ago I began Niamh Design Studio and I was very lucky to have gained representation I have amazing mentors and representation in the US for which I am so grateful.

How do you approach a project/piece of work or collection?

It helps when I am alone and grounded. When I first start I need slow relaxing music. I need to feel like I am playing. If I become to serious this can hinder me. I have to say I am still a little daunted by the first blank white page. I can procrastinate at this stage so I really have to work hard and stay at it. I first do some research to fill the well as they say. I flick through design mags, design books, blogs, old fabrics, or go to a museum or crafts fair etc. Sometimes I will go to my Dad's wonderful garden and take photos. Then with my music and coffee I start to doodle and I see what emerges on paper. I normally have a starting point, for example, baby collection with elephants or a garden collection. I doodle and when some doodles look cute I scan them in. At this stage I then sometimes put my headphones on so I close myself off from the world. I can put more upbeat music on. You never know how the first print will emerge. The most exciting part for me is when the first design is done and I love it. If I don't love it I stay at it until I do. When the first print is done I can move quite quickly though the rest of the prints until the whole collection is complete.

Favourite pencil/pen?

I love pencil. I always start with pencil.. something I could never do was draw straight onto the computer. Sometimes after the pencil stage I will use tracing paper and pens depending on the look I would like.

Sketchbook or loose leaf? 

Always loose leaf in the studio but when I am out I sketch in a notebook.

How do you keep yourself on track/organised when working on a project? 

I have two whiteboards on my wall in front of me. I write my weekly and monthly goals of what I would like to achieve. On my studio desk I have a notebook with my daily to do list and goals and I also use the iCalendar on my Mac. I aim very high and most of the time I will make 80% of my target. It is best to aim too high than too low I think.

What are your creature comforts in your studio/workspace? 

My music! Coffee, my inspiration bookshelves... writings for meditation.

Music, radio, stories or silence?  

Soft music when starting and lively music when I am on a roll. If it's a really hectic, and sometimes if I am feeling stuck in the beginning, it is total silence.

Night owl or early bird? 

A night owl. I am trying these days to be in bed at an earlier time but I do love the silence of the night time when I am not disturbed. During the day if I have to take phone calls run errands or go to meetings etc I can become ungrounded. So I use my best energy during the day and night for creating. When my energy is not the highest at certain times during the day I will run errands and go to the gym and finish the designs at night.

Illustrator or Photoshop? 

Illustrator is my most favorite but I think at some stage I would like to learn to create some more elaborate pieces in Photoshop.

What size art board do you design repeats on? 

500x500pix

Design heroes? 

There are so many! To name a few Dawn Machell, Jillian Phillips, Carolyn Gavin, Suzy Ultman, and so many more!

Dream clients or design goals? 

Well I have just launched my new website, so one of my goals is to build up my store of designs in the private client area, create lots of new wall art pieces for the shop. My other goal is to have my own line of products and to keep on creating 'Art to Make People Smile' :)

Dream design destination for inspiration? 

I would love to go to Tokyo, Japan! Since I was small I was always inspired by the Manga girl characters with the big eyes! I think my work might gain another level from that trip! I also think Cuba would be an amazing trip!

And what are you working on at the moment? 

I am just completing my first collection that I would like to be developed into a little range. It is something with an oriental flavour. I am currently researching suppliers and deciding what I will develop. The collection is at the moment a little secret ;) So stay tuned!

Any tips or advice you want to share with us? 

I still have so much to learn but when I first began I never gave myself a break. I was over worked, I pushed too hard and my work and my health suffered. I had to learn the hard way that there is only so much you can do and to take lots of breaks for yourself. It will all happen when it is meant to for you without breaking your back and not to stress so much or think about tomorrow, just do the very best that you can today and keep moving forward all the time - even 1 small step a day towards your dreams and goals. Don't worry or care too much if other people like it. It is a creative process and a gift that is from something beyond us here so how can we judge it? Just be happy and grateful to be able to do what you do :) My motto is 'Art to Make you Smile'... As long as I can create art to make people smile then I am smiling too. For the rest I try to be as detached as I can be. x

Studio Tuesday #8 Jessica Swift

Good Morning! 

I'm back after a very sunny Easter break with a real treat. In today's Studio Tuesday the spotlight is on my favourite surface pattern designer, Jessica Swift! If you're a regular to this blog you'll probably already know this as I often make mention of Jessica and her work. In fact the last time I posted an Essential Resource it was all about Jessica's book Jump, Trust, Repeat. You can read my review here or just go ahead and buy the book here. It's a fantastic book which I constantly refer back to. 

There's so much to love about Jessica's work. Her patterns are vibrant, fun and eye catching thanks to her unique sense of colour and her ability to create quirky, original repeats. I find both her work and her spirit inspiring and recommend subscribing to her blog for a little colour and cheer landing in your inbox!

So read on for more about Jessica and if you feel you would like to be the featured designer in the coming weeks, please get in touch.

Enjoy,

Frankie x

Name/Company or Studio name: Jessica Swift
Location: Portland, OR, USA

http://www.jessicaswift.com

Safi

Where and how did you start your surface pattern design journey?
I taught myself to create repeat patterns in 2008, while living in Atlanta, Georgia. I had discovered pattern design through design blogs, and I was instantly obsessed and knew it was my path. I didn't know how to use Adobe Illustrator, so it took me a while to finally learn to successfully create a repeat; but when I finally did, I couldn't be stopped. I created new patterns every day,  I decided to exhibit at Printsource in January 2009, I was contacted by someone from T-Mobile about licensing a couple of my designs for cell phone cases... it all began to happen very quickly, which was a blessing, because it gave me an early boost of confidence to keep going, and I took it as a sign that I was on the right path.

How do you approach a project/piece of work or collection?
I just dive in and start. I never begin with a plan. My work always evolves as I create it -- I never know what it's going to look like or how it's going to turn out. The most important part of a project, for me, is the point when I decide to just begin, and to try my best to get out of the way and let creativity flow through me.

Esmerelda

Favourite pencil/pen?
I love a plain old Pilot V5 pen the most.

Sketchbook or loose leaf?
Loose leaf

How do you keep yourself on track/organised when working on a project?
I live by to do lists. I use daily lists, weekly lists, longer term lists..... I break projects down into smaller chunks and then schedule the steps into my calendar at the beginning of each week. I'd be a mess without my lists!

Nocturna

What are your creature comforts in your studio/workspace?
Having my cat, Juneau, on my lap, hot tea in a mason jar, sage bundles for smudging, wearing yoga pants every day......

Music, radio, stories or silence?
All of the above! Different times and moods call for different sounds.

Night owl or early bird?
Early bird

Illustrator or Photoshop?
Illustrator

What size art board do you design repeats on?
8 x 8" or 9 x 9" usually.

Kazan

Design heroes?
Currently Jonathan Adler, Anahata Katkin, Amy Butler, Lisa Congdon

Dream clients or design goals?
I'd love to work with Chronicle Books at some point, and I'd love to get my work into many many more stores around the country and the world.... and potentially, one day, open a store of my very own. We'll see!

Dream design destination for inspiration?
India!

Elisaveta

And what are you working on at the moment?
I'm writing a book about pattern design! It will be published in Spring 2015. I'm also beginning to put together an e-course about pattern design, which I hope to launch in the fall.

Any tips or advice you want to share with us?
Just keep making art. Make lots of it, try not to judge it, and keep moving forward. You'll be amazed when you look back years down the road at all you've accomplished and learned.

Inez

Studio Tuesday #7 - Ali Benyon

Good Morning!
This week's Studio Tuesday features Ali Benyon, a fellow northerner who now lives in Australia. Not unlike Jennie Whitham who featured last week, Ali is a busy bee, spinning many different plates, raising a family and running another business. I follow Ali on Facebook and absolutely love seeing the flow of her work - there are daily posts of her latest pattern or collection. It's very motivating and inspiring to see this and I feel a real affinity with her in her hunger to learn and develop as a pattern designer. 

I really enjoy putting together the Studio Tuesday feature - it's so nice to read through the answers I get from different designers and I particularly liked Ali's three pieces of advice - there's a lot of wisdom there! Like so many of you, I'm guilty of never giving myself a day off. For the first time last week, a bug forced me to do nothing but sleep and watch bad TV from my bed. I had two whole days off and have promised myself I'm going to start scheduling a couple of days a month like this! If only so that I get used to not doing anything once in a while and don't go into a meltdown when I can't! 

So here is Ali's feature and some of her wonderful, dynamic and joyful work. 
Enjoy and thank you for reading! 
Frankie x

Name/Company or Studio name: Ali Benyon designs

http://www.alibenyondesigns.com.au/

https://www.facebook.com/AliBenyonDesigns

https://twitter.com/alibenyondesign

http://www.pinterest.com/alibenyondesign/

Location: Melbourne, Australia

Where and how did you start your surface pattern design journey?

After sixth Form College, I studied Foundation Art up in Manchester in the UK (I’m from there originally) and then went on to specialise in Multi Media Textile design at Loughborough College of Art and Design, at degree level. Multi Media was a lot more like fine art back in those days and my degree show consisted of a series of theatre costumes, designed from plastic tubes and filled with different coloured liquid. They looked fantastic, but probably not the best way to land your first textile design job.

I’ve always loved colour and pattern, but my passion for surface pattern has been a slow burner. Now I’m obsessed and love all types of pattern and wished I’d studied print, not multi media!

How do you approach a project/piece of work or collection?

I wouldn’t say that I approach anything regards designing, it just kind of happens. Sometimes I’ll try and sit and draw some motifs in order to then scan and design on AI, but it never seems to work out like that. So instead I just sit down and look through all my drawn motifs. One or two usually pop out at me and i’ll bring them into Illustrator. Once there I’ll just start designing. I never know what the end result is going to be, I just go with it and let it happen. I chop, change and swap things around so many times and the colours never stay the same. But at some point I just stop and that’s when I know the design is finished. All of that sounds like designing for me takes hours, but once I’m in the “zone” I am pretty fast and a design could take as little as an hour. If it takes much longer I know i’ll never be happy with it, so I usually start from scratch.....after a coffee or two!

Favourite pencil/pen?

Both. I usually draw in pencil and then go over it in black pen. Sharpies are my favourite.

Sketchbook or loose leaf?

Both. I do lots of sketching in my sketch book: Rough ideas, both written and drawn. My finished motifs (from the sketchbook) I then draw in black pen onto loose leaf and keep in a huge folder.

How do you keep yourself on track/organised when working on a project?

I struggle! I’m a mum to two girls and I also have another business, Cheeky pickle. So my day can be extremely hectic and busy. I usually work better when I have deadlines, but if I have a few things on the go I can get very easily distracted. Running your own business and doing it all yourself can get very overwhelming at times, but you just have to take it one step at a time. You can’t do everything.

What are your creature comforts in your studio/workspace?

My dogs Dougal and Rosie sit with me while I create. I’m certainly never lonely in the studio.

Music, radio, stories or silence?

Music for me. I’ve tried listening to business interviews, discussions etc but I just can’t do it unfortunately. So I just turn the music up and try and zone the rest of the world out.

Night owl or early bird?

Early bird most definitely, always has been. Being a bit of an insomniac I can’t have any brain stimulation just before bedtime.

Illustrator or Photoshop?

Most definitely Illustrator. I love it! Even though sometimes I’d equally like to throw it out of the window in frustration!! 

What size art board do you design repeats on?

500x500pix

Design heroes?

I have many, but as a surface pattern designer and business woman, the one I always come back to is Lotta Jansdotter. Not only are her designs simply stunning, but her whole brand is spot on. I just love the way she has managed to create such a vibrant, contemporary and friendly feel for what she does. She’s a very clever and creative lady.

Dream clients or design goals?

I’m sure I’ll change my mind as my career develops, but at this moment in time I’d be pretty damn proud of myself if I saw my designs on products in IKEA

Dream design destination for inspiration?

I will always regret not going to Morrocco when I lived in the UK. I spent a week in Istanbul once and just loved it. I can still hear the early morning call to prayer, it was so beautiful. I can only imagine Marrakesh is just as energetic, colourful and crazy, so would love to spend some time there.

And what are you working on at the moment?

At the moment I’m working on my very first licensing deal which is both very exciting and nerve racking! I’ve learnt so much since being offered it though, so that’s the main thing....progression, however slowly it seems to happen.

Any tips or advice you want to share with us?

Yes I have three pieces of advice.

1. Get out of your comfort zone

If you are new to this field then I’d say design a lot and design in many different ways. We are told to try and find our point of difference, our signature style, but how do you find that if you design in one way only (your comfortable style, the safe place you go to when you get a bit nervous). If you love a drawn quality to your work, like me, then why not try doing some really perfect pattern repeats. You never know, you may love working this way, but if you don’t try it, you’ll never know. Oh and stop being such a perfectionist. If it goes wrong, so what, no one’s watching. I believe you have to make many mistakes before you can step out on to the right path that you can call your own.

2. Give yourself a break

Last year I worked on my very first trade show with my other business, Cheeky Pickle. I was also writing my first book at the same time and my stress levels were extremely high. I worked solidly for months and months trying to get everything perfect. I worked so hard I made myself ill with raging heart palpitations. My advice is that it’s really not worth it. Yes you are allowed to go for coffee with friends, yes you do have time to take a day off and do something fun. So even when you are super busy with a million and one things on your plate, just take a break, force yourself to, you DO have time.

3. Don’t give up and be yourself

It’s sometimes hard to keep going when you look around and see others steaming ahead. My advice is to keep your eyes on “your” path and not anybody else’s. This can be so hard these days what with social media and all. But just remember that you have a special quality, your designs are totally unique; they are you. Once you find that special quality, nurture it, build on it and most importantly stay true to yourself. If it feels right, no matter what others say, it probably is right.