Wow. I can't believe it. I was tidying up my files when I realised I had created 500 patterns in five years!
Here are the lessons learned from my surface pattern design journey so far.
When I first learned how to create a repeat tile, I thought I was on the fast track to making great designs. I was wrong.
My 50 patterns were naive, simple, and immature, with colour palettes that make me cringe now.
But back then, I was proudly uploading these initial designs on Spoonflower and was really excited about my newfound hobby.
Here is one of my very first surface pattern designs. (You can see my love for animal print started way back!) I drafted and sewed this shirt using Spoonflower's Petal Signature Cotton.
Some more fabric samples from Spoonflower. Can you see a pattern (hah!) here? Big cats and animal print were my favourite things to design and wear.
I had not worked in the fashion industry at the time, but then my big break came!
I landed my first in-house textile designer position with a swimwear brand and, later, a womenswear brand. This was an absolute game-changer.
My following 50 patterns started to improve as I became more exposed to the industry.
My first official fashion print design, which I created in-house, was this snakeskin print! (Surprise, surprise - it's an animal print. I can see a signature style developing!)
I was finally learning about different markets, discovering which colours worked for various seasons, and starting to attend print studio viewings and appointments. Seeing what good design looked like up close pushed me to elevate my work and strive for better results.
OK, I promise - this is the last animal print for this blog post!
The following 100 prints were the most challenging of my career.
I had started a new job as an in-house textile designer for the boho womenswear market, which was completely unfamiliar territory.
This was my third in-house position, and I had never created a border print before.
For the first three months of my probation, 90% of my designs were rejected.
I was convinced I was going to lose my job. But everything started to click once I cracked the formula (through studying and, yes, copying other boho designs in the market). Suddenly, the designs flowed naturally, and I found my rhythm.
This was one of my favourite border prints that I ever designed. I put a lot of love and care into each hand-drawn motif. This was when my love for florals all began!
After working for a few brands, I decided to go freelance. Leaving the industry meant I had to direct myself, so I kept practising and created another 100 designs, which I submitted to platforms like Patternbank.
I started selling here and there but found it challenging to receive feedback. The platform also felt super saturated, and I couldn't help but feel that my designs were getting lost in a sea of other designs.
Examples of my Patternbank designs, which are available for non-exclusive and commercial licensing.
However, the opportunity to collaborate with fashion print studios as a freelancer was a turning point.
The following 100 designs were improving because I had more creative direction, access to feedback and was receiving sales data and information about buying habits.
I was now designing for multiple markets and categories and selling about 20% of my inventory every month!
Finally, my 100 most recent designs are now featured in my online print library, where I spend considerable time marketing my exclusive print designs directly to brands.
Sales are slower this way, but there’s something gratifying about a client buying directly from you.
So, What Did I Learn?
1. Putting a design into repeat is easy.
But creating an on-trend, market-focused, showstopping design with commercial appeal? That’s the real challenge.
2. You have to create A LOT of patterns to get better.
And eventually, you’ll find your unique style and handwriting.
3. Copying what sells is the quickest way to improve.
Don’t shy away from studying what works in the market. It’s a great way to learn and grow.
4. Passion and motivation will get you there!
It takes time, patience, and a lot of practice, but if you keep at it, you’ll see the results.
I hope my journey inspires you to keep creating, no matter where you are in your design career!
Did You Learn Something New?
If you found this post valuable and are interested in a 1:1 mentoring session with me, feel free to make a booking here! I offer 60-minute strategy sessions and portfolio reviews to artists ready to take the next step.
Or, if you want to say thanks, why not consider buying me a (virtual) coffee? I appreciate each donation as it helps me create more content for people just like you: https://buymeacoffee.com/carolynquan
Shop Links
Want to shop my designs as fabric and wallpaper? Check out Spoonflower shop.
Brand on a budget? I have many non-exclusive designs available on Patternbank.
Looking for exclusive prints? Sign up here to shop my online Print Library.
Do you have no interest in patterns? I just opened an Etsy shop dedicated to art prints for those who love art!
Thank you for reading my blog post! If this story resonates with you, let me know!
I can be reached via email at hello@carolynquan.design, or you can DM me on Instagram!