When did your interest in design first start and how did that come about?
For as long as I can remember I was obsessed with drawing and painting, so this career path always seemed inevitable. I hold a Master of Fine Arts specializing in Textile design and currently doing my second Masters Degree in Design from University of New South Wales. I am always keen to learn new things and everything creative just excites me.
What steps did you take to get to where you are now as a designer?
I have worked in the industry for more than 5 years now for different Apparel companies. Signing up for module 2 was my first step to finding my unique artistic voice and work on my own signature style. After Module 2, I went ahead and signed up for module 3 and then UPB. The amount of positive changes I have gone through this year after taking these courses are thoroughly amazing. I launched my personal website, started using social media as a tool to promote my work. Started taking part in competitions. Since then, I have worked on commissioned projects via Instagram, have made it to Tigerprint’s competition shortlist twice, got my first licensing deal and most recently made into the top 8 of the Spoonflower’s Fabric 8 Contest.
How would you describe your style?
My style is still evolving with time but I always gravitate towards detailed work with layering and pops of colour.
Florals are my favourite subject matter and whenever I pickup a pen I end up drawing a flower and it just comes very naturally to me.
What kind of designer do you want to be known as?
I want to be known for the bright and cheerful patterns that inject a little happiness into the viewer’s life. I put a lot of time, detail and love in my patterns and I want the viewer to identify that immediately
What are you working on currently?
I have a few projects and collaborations coming up that I am currently working on. I am also designing a collection for the Spoonflower fabric 8 contest’s final round. The winner will be announced in October and even to be part of top8 is an honor.
What advice would you give emerging designers wanting to build their portfolios?
The key is to have confidence in your work and to crush self-doubt that takes over every now and then when you are starting off. One should definitely look at the amazing work from other designers but sometimes that could leave you feeling overwhelmed and you start comparing your work. Everyone has a unique style and place in the industry and you should focus on finding yours.
What would be your dream design gig?
I am a huge fan of Liberty of London and Anthropologie. To design for them would truly be a dream job.
Looking ahead what are your major goals for the next couple of years?
I already have a few projects coming up which I cant disclose at the moment but amazing things are coming ahead for me and I am beyond excited. I would love to exhibit at Printsource or Surtex in the coming years.
If you were a pattern what kind of a pattern would you be and why?
I would be a William Morris’s floral pattern with intricate and complex details because that portrays my personality.
What was the most important lesson you took away from UPB?
The most important lesson for me is to become a versatile designer and experiment with different subject matters. Even though its great to have a wide variety of subject matters in your portfolio but the key is to inject “you” in every pattern that you create and the buyer/client should be able to identify your signature style.
What difference did it make to have a supportive community of fellow students and how important do you think that will be going forward?
I feel that one of the biggest advantages of this course is to become part of a community of likeminded creatives. You get to interact with artists from all over the world, ranging from beginners to experts. The feedback and support you get from your fellow designers is invaluable.
Please tell us about your experience of the live briefs and student work reviews.
Live briefs really challenge you and they might seem a bit daunting in the start but it’s the best tool to get your self out there. It not only gives you a healthy dose of confidence but also gives you a great exposure and you can potentially end up working for these amazing companies via live briefs.
Getting your work reviewed by a professional designer who has been working in the industry and knows the commercial aspects of it, is just fantastic. They steer you in the right direction and provide you with constructive criticism. They not only review your work but also your website and I personally made a lot of changes to my website after my review.
***
I am a freelance surface designer based in Sydney, Australia with a passion for design & surface pattern and love for bright colors. I love to experiment with different techniques, mediums and variety of styles. My patterns are a mixture of hand drawings/paintings and computer illustrations, possessing strong flair for color.
Amazed by what you see above from our talented students? Join our next class of The Ultimate Portfolio Builder which starts September 21st 2015.
***
The Art and Business of Surface Pattern Design is the definitive guide to becoming a surface pattern design professional.If you have ever dreamed of seeing your designs on stationery, homewares, fabric or other products, this series of interactive online courses is for you! Thriving surface pattern designer Rachael Taylor will guide you along this exciting path from developing your signature style, to putting a collection together, and from protecting your work to monetising your designs. With a rich combination of design inspiration, practical advice, demonstrations, creative exercises, resources and interviews with leading industry practitioners, this is the go-to guide for anyone wanting to develop their design skills and break into the industry. Our next classes begin September 21, 2015 – we hope to be able to welcome you to class!
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.