Reign Repeats: create perfect repeat patterns in Adobe Illustrator

My fellow surface pattern designer Majo has organised an online E-course called 'Reign Repeats: create perfect repeat patterns in Adobe Illustrator' via Skillshare which launches on Friday 7th June.  You can enroll for just $30. 

Below is an outline of the E-course:

'I've partnered with the awesome team of Skillshare to teach Reign Repeats: create perfect repeat patterns in Adobe Illustrator. The class is for surface pattern designers, graphic designers, illustrators, artists, crafters and anyone else who is interested in pattern design using Adobe Illustrator.

You'll submerge in the wonderful world of patterns, and learn how to use the basic Illustrator tools to bring to life your ideas. You'll learn how to create a repeat, both the old-school way and using Illustrator CS6 new Pattern Tool. At the end of the class you'll be able to create your own designs for you to use however you want; for example, to sell your own fabric on Spoonflower. To help you get started with this, you'll create a repeat for a Spoonflower contest as part of the final project.

I'll explain you how to get your hand-drawn sketches vectorised (even if you don't have a scanner), how to apply colour and then easily re-colour your design to create new colour ways, the different types of repeats and how to make them, and how to solve most of the common problems that arise when using Illustrator. I'll also teach you how to prepare perfect files for you to get your best results on Spoonflower.

At the end of the class, I'll choose the top 15 designs and will showcase them on my blog and Facebook page. For a week I'll ask my readers to vote for their favourite designs and the top 3voted will receive some fab prizes donated by Spoonflower.

This course will be packed with lots of useful info, helpful resources, and inspirational interviews from great designers that have come to reign repeats. If you can't wait to get your ideas on to fabric or any other printed surface, don't miss the class… enroll now! http://skl.sh/11jgtzb'


*I have also included a button on the right hand side of my blog which takes you straight to the E-course too (half way down the page).

Lilla Rogers Book Review

Lilla Rogers has had an amazing career as an artist, teacher and agent.  As an agent, Lilla represents almost 40 artists across the globe.  Lilla wrote this book to help other creatives in their career and to show the increasing options for creative people.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading Lilla Roger's new book 'I just like to make things.'  I enjoyed it so much I found it very difficult to put down and even though I've read the whole book already I will still re-read it when ever I need to.

The book starts with Lilla's story which is very inspiring.  Then there are 5 chapters, each chapter building up to which could be the next stage of your career.  From having fun with your art, getting great at your art, to real-life strategies and getting to know the marketplace that could work for you. Then last but not least what's next for you.  There are interviews with Lilla's artists who she represents on how they work, handle, stay inspired and more.  Lilla really involves you in the book itself, like there are sections in the book where Lilla has asked you questions and there are spaces to write down your answers.

The book is presented as though it is one of Lilla Rogers sketchbooks.  Each page is beautifully presented, colourful and illustrative. There are images of Lilla's own work,  her studio and the artists work she represents as an agent, which I think works well as Lilla is sharing with you what is involved in her creative world.  Also that you can do it too.

The book is written very well in a sense that Lilla is talking to you whilst you're reading.  I felt as though she knew me as an artist/designer. Particularly when she mentioned "I know you know how fun it is to buy things-and then come home and you get to sort them."  Everything that is written is very clear, understanding and straightforward.  Each section is crystal clear, which are all linked well one after the other.  Lilla puts herself in the book a fair amount which works very well, she brings in her humor too and I felt as though I started to know her as a person.

Another way Lilla involves you in the book is by including several activities Lilla has suggested to help inspire you, motivate you and help you find the things that you like eg colours, texture, pattern, shapes, themes etc. 

Lilla explains licensing, getting to know the marketplace that would suit you.  This is a bonus as it's something a lot of creative people are unsure about particularly on how to get their work out there in the creative industry, what companies to contact and what art works best for certain companies and products.  In this section there are also interviews with several companies on what they look for in an artist and their work of art.

I have found this book very useful in different ways.  I feel I can always refer back to it to inspire and show me that I can become who I want to be.  It's a very positive book, it can help build your confidence in your work and keep you motivated to keep going and to not give up.  I am glad I brought this book, definitely worth every penny.  I'd recommend the book to any creative artist, illustrator, designer, maker etc who wants to make their career successful, profitable and exciting.

How to start a productive day as a freelancer

• Clear your work space
• Have a shower
• Get dressed as though you're going out to work
• Perhaps drive around the block or a 5 minutes drive as though you're travelin to work
• Have a hot drink in your favourite mug
• Have a good breakfast
• Reply to emails
• Perhaps read some blog post to help you feel inspired
• Write a to-do-list (put in order of importance for that day)
• Set out different tasks for that day instead of the same task alday
• Write down your thoughts to get them off your chest
• Perhaps take a walk
• 30 minutes exercise

If there is anything else you'd like to add, feel free to comment below :) 

May Fashion Prints

Polly Rowan

It's Follow Friday!

Polly Rowan is a textile designer from London currently studying a degree in Textiles for Fashion and Interiors at Bath School of Art. Polly's work is very abstract, colourful and quirky. Polly enjoys working traditionally and digitally.

You can find Polly on Facebook and follow her on twitter @arowantree. You can also read her inspirational blog.

Have you always wanted to be a textile designer?

 

Growing up I always wanted to be an “artist” or an illustrator of some sort as I’ve always loved drawing. My passion for textiles and interiors grew when I discovered screen printing at the age of 14, and Elle Decoration magazine!

 

How have you got to where you are now?

 

After finishing my A levels, I went on to do an Art Foundation at Wimbledon College of Art where I specialised in textiles. Although I love London, I wanted to go somewhere a bit smaller for University, so I moved to Bath and now I am in my third year of my degree in Textiles for Fashion and Interiors.

 

What's your next step?

I am moving back to London in June and will look for a job in textile design. I would love to expand my Etsy store and work on my own projects as well.

 

What inspires you?

 

Colour and pattern around me, and Scandinavian design. Reading magazines and blogs play a big part in inspiring me.

 

What motivates you?

 

Talking to my fellow textile course mates and working through ideas with others always motivates me. Seeing what other designers are doing and how they got to where they are helps - we all need a bit of competition! I am always more motivated when the sun is shining too!

 

How do you start a new project/design?

 

I will have an idea at the most random times. I read a quote a while ago (I can’t remember who said it!) that the best ideas come when walking, and I think that this is true! I will then go and take loads of first hand photographs, and start drawing and painting from the most inspirational ones. I also spend time on Pinterest and ideas grow from what I am pinning.

 

What do you enjoy most about design?

 

It’s so satisfying to have a finished design that you know is completely new. I love the drawing aspect of it, and always try to keep a hand-drawn or printed element to my designs, even if they are digital. The best designs often come from mistakes, which I like.

 

Do you have a favourite design that you have created?

 

I always like what I am currently working on the best, as I feel like I’m always improving from project to project. However I still love the felt feathers that I created last year for an exhibition.

 

Do you have any of your designs on products?

 

I have made a few cushions and notebooks in the past. And more recently I have printed my designs onto ceramic tiles, which is really exciting to see my designs on a shiny new surface! I produce a lot of wallpaper too.

 

What is your typical day like?

 

It depends what stage of the project I am at as to what I am doing. At the moment I get to university at 9:30am and do some digital work on the Macs as I am currently visualising my prints within interior spaces. I love doing drawing or sketchbook work in the studios we have at Bath School of Art and Design as they are really inspirational, busy spaces overlooking the beautiful city. I am organising my designs to be printed digitally on fabric and wallpaper at the moment, and doing some screen printing as well. I work until about 8pm at uni, then head home to relax with dinner with my flatmates, or go out with friends. I do yoga once a week as well which helps me wind down.

 

What medias do you like to use?

 

I usually paint with acrylics as you can layer the colours so easily. I like a mixture of collage, pen, ink, and paint though. I really enjoyed printing with potatoes during the last project as they gave such a gorgeous hand printed effect!

 

What do you hope that 2013 will bring for you?

 

I am hoping that it will be a bit of an adventure as so many changes are happening! I would love to gain some experience in a design studio and do more networking when I move to London to meet other creative people.

 

Do you get a lot of support from family and friends?

 

Definitely, two of my flatmates are textile students and we always help each other out when we’re stressed! My family are very helpful; my mum even drove 2 hours to Bath this weekend to help me buy materials for my degree show! And my boyfriend is the most positive and supportive boyfriend I could ask for!

 

Where would you like to see yourself in 5 years time?

 

I would love to be living in London, either working for a studio whose style I love, or working for myself.

 

Do you have a favourite illustrator, designer etc?

 

I love the work of the designers for Finnish design company Marimekko, and Debbie Powell and Josef Frank are favourite designers of mine.

 

Favourite blog?

 

Print and Pattern blog is the first blog I started reading and I still love scrolling through it to discover new print designers. I love Here Comes the Sun as a lifestyle blog, and More Design Please for original bits and pieces of design. I could go on forever considering I subscribe to about 60 blogs!

 

Favourite design book?

 

I loved reading through Pattern by Orla Kiely, as she goes into such detail about how she got to where she is, and the design process. I really admire what she’s done!

 

Thank you for your time Polly, I really appreciate it. If you'd like a feature and interview on this blog, please contact me via email: hannahbyatt1990@hotmail.co.uk