Alumni Success

Wow! Our Alumni Are Fantastic!


Franca Westaway

Franca Westaway is a talented alumni of Modules 1, 2 and 3! In 2019 Franca was thrilled to share some exciting news with the team:

“Back in the late summer of 2017 I had just begun my journey with Make it in Design, creating my first repeat patterns and setting up my website. My site was basically a gallery/portfolio at that stage and I was also posting some of my work to my Facebook page and Instagram. A friend saw my work and told a friend of hers she may want to take a look, that friend was Vicky, one of the founders of Nomads Clothing, a renowned fairtrade clothing brand.

[Eventually] I went along to Nomads Head Office, which is in Launceston, a town quite near to where I live in Cornwall.  I took them through my portfolio – I hadn’t actually included the Dahlia print (pictured) in my portfolio, but had it in another folder of ‘things I’m working on.’ They all really loved that design as soon as they saw it and asked if I was willing to sell. I said I really didn’t want to, but that I’d consider licensing it.

The next day Nomad rang me to confirm that they wanted the print and I negotiated the licensing terms and fee. I used a template for the licensing agreement which I think was from examples given in Module 3: Monetising Your designs. We agreed to a length of time for the license, usage, area and colour restrictions. Everything was very straightforward, they are a lovely company to work with. I have also spent some time interning with them since then! Each season since they have also come to me first before looking elsewhere for print, so I hope to be able to work with them again at some point. It’s been a brilliant first sale to a great brand, it’s really wonderful to see one of your prints on the rails, in the shops and now in my own wardrobe.

Couldn’t have done this without all the great content, support and opportunities from Make it in Design”

Way to go Franca! On the right is a photo of Franca wearing the print – take a peek at the dress here.


Rebecca J Mills

Rebecca J Mills is a talented alumni who has taken Module 3: Monetising Your designs and The Ultimate Portfolio Builder!

In May 2018, Rebecca hosted her own pop-up-shop at West Elm where she displayed a host of her gorgeous design work on physical products. Hosting her pop-up- shop at West Elm has given her a boost of confidence  and she now plans of exhibiting at Top Drawer in 2019! Read our blog feature on Rebecca here.


Vickie Chan

Vickie Chan is an alumni of all four of our acclaimed online surface pattern courses!

In 2018, alumni Vickie Chan (of Studio Chanpei) was featured in a wonderful article by Nonagon Style! In addition to a fab video interview, Vickie’s feature includes a written article too where you get a peek into her studio!

We love Vickie’s surf board designs on the right – such fun motifs and colours! Way to go Vickie!


Crissie Rodda

Crissie Rodda  is a talented MIID alumni from New Zealand. Crissie recently won a national textile design award with Bolt & Cloth  and as a result her designs are now being manufactured and sold throughout New Zealand (and online internationally). Crissie has also just signed her first contract to design a fabric collection for an American fabric manufacturer!
Commenting on her journey with MIID, Crissie said, ” I truly feel that without the wonderful courses, support and encouragement I experienced with the MIID community, I would not have made it this far.”


Angela Sims

Angela Sims is an alumni of all three of our acclaimed surface pattern e-courses. Recently Angela received the great news that her Bauhaus inspired design was voted in the top 50 for the Spoonflower black and white wallpaper challenge!

Angela said, “I spent many years avoiding computer design but MIID Module 1 got me on the right track and has revitalised my passion for design.”

 


Lynda Metcalf

Lynda Metcalf was our Printsource New York winner in December 2016. She won a FREE booth at the 2017 show as a result of taking part in a live brief offered by Printsource in The Ultimate Portfolio Builder.

Lynda’s gorgeous work can now be found on her beautiful website. Way to go Lynda!


Rhiannon Pettie

Module 1 graduate Rhiannon Pettie launched her first collection with iPhone accessories company ArtsCase, card printing company Card Isle, AND has had a fun collaboration with online stationery retailer Elum!

We were also honoured to feature Rhannon’s work at New Designers 2017. Her cards were a huge hit and received tons of compliments from designers attending the show.


Stephanie Davies

Stephanie Davies won a FREE booth at Printsource New York in August 2016, by taking part in a live brief offered by Printsource in the Ultimate Portfolio Builder. Read all about her experience, top tips and watch her video here!

Stephanie’s website is a gorgeous collection of her designs and products and we’re so proud of all she has achieved!

 


Tracy Miller

Tracy Miller a freelance graphic designer sold four designs to Cardmaking and Papercraft magazine (published in March 2016) thanks to a live brief offered by the company in our The Ultimate Portfolio Builder.


Jo Elise

In 2015, Jo Elise took the brave decision to leave her full time job to establish her own brand. She now has a range of stationery which includes notebooks, greeting cards and calendars and even had a collaboration with online retailer Direct Blinds !

 


Gail Myerscough

Gail Myerscough is a surface pattern designer based in Manchester, UK. She is enjoying a run of successes including being featured in the February issue of The World of Interiors magazine, has a range of cards, cushions and mugs for sale at the Craft Shop in the Royal Exchange Theatre and is adding new products to her shop all the time! Way to go!


Dot & Flow Design

We were thrilled to hear that a number of our very talented course alumni  formed a wonderful collective, Dot & Flow Design and were able to exhibit at Surtex in 2016. Bringing designers together is just one of the fantastic aspects of our community. Here is a collection of their recent work –  best of luck to you all in the future!

 


Cindy Willingham

USA -based self-proclaimed craft revolution ambassador, sewing and surface pattern designer Cindy Willingham has a number of amazing designs in her collection that we LOVE! She is the creator of Revel Designs – a gorgeous website featuring her lovely body of work. We were honoured to have Cindy as a student on Modules 1, 2 and 3!


Charlotte Brown

Charlotte Brown was thrilled to have signed a number of exciting licensing deals in 2015. Alongside a range of luxury wallpapers with interiors company Eades Bespoke in the UK, her designs are also available as phone and tech cases through both Casetify and Deindesign. Way to go Charlotte!

 


Tanya Paget

Tanya Paget’s work was picked up by Feathr as a result of a Module 2: Designing your way brief. Two designs were selected for production as wallpaper and shown as part of the London Design festival at Tent London in September 2015 resulting in demand for other colourways and lots of great PR exposure!

Tanya joined forces with other students taking the course to form a new collective called Finch & Foxglove, signed a contract with a cool agency in Scotland and exhibited at both Premiere Vision, Paris in February and Surtex New York in May 2016.


Jessica Wilde

Jessica Wilde is now enjoying life as a freelance surface pattern designer; licensing her art, working with a design studio and developing her own range of products to sell on Not On The High Street.

Her work was selected to feature in Marie Perkins’ ‘Print and Pattern: Geometric’ book, she won a recent Tigerprint competition and  exhibited for the first time at The British Craft Trade Fair, Harrogate in 2016!

 


Kelly Angelovic

Kelly Angelovic is enjoying continued success including a holiday card with Papyrus Greetings, a book cover design for a local author, sales of a new pattern of her with JoAnn Fabric, a holiday themed giveaway with her art tribe ‘Kindered Art Collective and a candle packaging design.


Beth Schneider

The Guildery have selected three of ABSPD student Beth Schneider’s pattern designs which they have curated in to the Walden Collection. This includes pillows in various sizes, wallpaper, table runners, tea towels, cloth napkins, wrapping paper, fabric by the yard, and their most recent product….fabric wrapping paper!

 


Alumni Features in MOYO Magazine!

We regularly showcase our alumni success in MOYO Magazine and on our blog here, along with some words from them about how the course helped them develop as a designer. Here are some fabulous examples of features and class showcases:


Alumni Success feature (in MOYO Issue 8 p.99 – 106)

MOYO issue 8

Alumni Success feature (in MOYO Issue 7 p.139 – 144)

Moyo7 alumni success

 

Gavin Ross Rutherford (in MOYO Issue 6 pg. 108 -109)

108&109.MOYO_ISSUE6_GAVIN-RUTHERFORD_GR_550PX_LR

Genine Delahaye (in MOYO Issue 5 p.96-97)

MOYO5_GenineDelahaye_96-97

Alumni Success feature (in MOYO Issue 5 p.106-109)

MOYO5_AlumniSuccess_p106-107

Sam Osborne (in MOYO Issue 4 p.76-77)

M4 SF Sam Osborne

Alumni success group feature (in MOYO Issue 3 p.60-63)

M3 AS 1

Emily Truong (in MOYO Issue 3 p.58-59)

M3 SF Emily Truong

Simi Gauba (in MOYO Issue 2 p.42-43)

M2 SF Simi Gauba

Suzanne Washington  (in MOYO Issue 1 p.20-21)

M1 Suzanne Washington

Class showcase in MOYO Issue 6 pg. 112 – 117

112&113.MOYO_ISSUE-6_STUDENT-SHOWCASE_P1+2_SK_550PX_LR

Class showcase in MOYO Issue 5 pg 98-105

MOYO5_Showcase_p98-99

Class showcase in MOYO Issue 4 p.80-83

M4 SS

Class showcase in MOYO Issue 3 p.68-69

M3 SS

Class showcase in MOYO Issue 2 p.44-48

M2 SS 1

More Exciting Success!

Wow! Our Alumni Are Fantastic!


Franca Westaway

Franca Westaway is a talented alumni of Modules 1, 2 and 3! In 2019 Franca was thrilled to share some exciting news with the team:

“Back in the late summer of 2017 I had just begun my journey with Make it in Design, creating my first repeat patterns and setting up my website. My site was basically a gallery/portfolio at that stage and I was also posting some of my work to my Facebook page and Instagram. A friend saw my work and told a friend of hers she may want to take a look, that friend was Vicky, one of the founders of Nomads Clothing, a renowned fairtrade clothing brand.

[Eventually] I went along to Nomads Head Office, which is in Launceston, a town quite near to where I live in Cornwall.  I took them through my portfolio – I hadn’t actually included the Dahlia print (pictured) in my portfolio, but had it in another folder of ‘things I’m working on.’ They all really loved that design as soon as they saw it and asked if I was willing to sell. I said I really didn’t want to, but that I’d consider licensing it.

The next day Nomad rang me to confirm that they wanted the print and I negotiated the licensing terms and fee. I used a template for the licensing agreement which I think was from examples given in Module 3: Monetising Your designs. We agreed to a length of time for the license, usage, area and colour restrictions. Everything was very straightforward, they are a lovely company to work with. I have also spent some time interning with them since then! Each season since they have also come to me first before looking elsewhere for print, so I hope to be able to work with them again at some point. It’s been a brilliant first sale to a great brand, it’s really wonderful to see one of your prints on the rails, in the shops and now in my own wardrobe.

Couldn’t have done this without all the great content, support and opportunities from Make it in Design”

Way to go Franca! On the right is a photo of Franca wearing the print – take a peek at the dress here.

FRANCA W Alumni Success


Rebecca J Mills

Rebecca J Mills is a talented alumni who has taken Module 3: Monetising Your designs and The Ultimate Portfolio Builder!

In May 2018, Rebecca hosted her own pop-up-shop at West Elm where she displayed a host of her gorgeous design work on physical products. Hosting her pop-up- shop at West Elm has given her a boost of confidence  and she now plans of exhibiting at Top Drawer in 2019! Read our blog feature on Rebecca here.

RebeccaJMills OutThere LifestyleImage Landsacpe LoRes 1000px wide 1 Alumni Success


Vickie Chan

Vickie Chan is an alumni of all four of our acclaimed online surface pattern courses!

In 2018, alumni Vickie Chan (of Studio Chanpei) was featured in a wonderful article by Nonagon Style! In addition to a fab video interview, Vickie’s feature includes a written article too where you get a peek into her studio!

We love Vickie’s surf board designs on the right – such fun motifs and colours! Way to go Vickie!

IMG 20180831 205746 603 1 Alumni Success


Crissie Rodda

Crissie Rodda  is a talented MIID alumni from New Zealand. Crissie recently won a national textile design award with Bolt & Cloth  and as a result her designs are now being manufactured and sold throughout New Zealand (and online internationally). Crissie has also just signed her first contract to design a fabric collection for an American fabric manufacturer!
Commenting on her journey with MIID, Crissie said, ” I truly feel that without the wonderful courses, support and encouragement I experienced with the MIID community, I would not have made it this far.”

Screen Shot 2018 12 18 at 11.01.13 Alumni Success


Angela Sims

Angela Sims is an alumni of all three of our acclaimed surface pattern e-courses. Recently Angela received the great news that her Bauhaus inspired design was voted in the top 50 for the Spoonflower black and white wallpaper challenge!

Angela said, “I spent many years avoiding computer design but MIID Module 1 got me on the right track and has revitalised my passion for design.”

 

Bauhaus roomset 1 Alumni Success


Lynda Metcalf

Lynda Metcalf was our Printsource New York winner in December 2016. She won a FREE booth at the 2017 show as a result of taking part in a live brief offered by Printsource in The Ultimate Portfolio Builder.

Lynda’s gorgeous work can now be found on her beautiful website. Way to go Lynda!

8bd1d3c2 5afa 428a aa13 b902682ba3d6 rw 1200 Alumni Success


Rhiannon Pettie

Module 1 graduate Rhiannon Pettie launched her first collection with iPhone accessories company ArtsCase, card printing company Card Isle, AND has had a fun collaboration with online stationery retailer Elum!

We were also honoured to feature Rhannon’s work at New Designers 2017. Her cards were a huge hit and received tons of compliments from designers attending the show.

Screen Shot 2017 06 19 at 10.21.281 Alumni Success


Stephanie Davies

Stephanie Davies won a FREE booth at Printsource New York in August 2016, by taking part in a live brief offered by Printsource in the Ultimate Portfolio Builder. Read all about her experience, top tips and watch her video here!

Stephanie’s website is a gorgeous collection of her designs and products and we’re so proud of all she has achieved!

 

STEPHANIE DAVIES Alumni Success


Tracy Miller

Tracy Miller a freelance graphic designer sold four designs to Cardmaking and Papercraft magazine (published in March 2016) thanks to a live brief offered by the company in our The Ultimate Portfolio Builder.

CARDMAKING TRACYMILLER1 Alumni Success


Jo Elise

In 2015, Jo Elise took the brave decision to leave her full time job to establish her own brand. She now has a range of stationery which includes notebooks, greeting cards and calendars and even had a collaboration with online retailer Direct Blinds !

 

JO ELISE SUMMER MEADOW Alumni Success


Gail Myerscough

Gail Myerscough is a surface pattern designer based in Manchester, UK. She is enjoying a run of successes including being featured in the February issue of The World of Interiors magazine, has a range of cards, cushions and mugs for sale at the Craft Shop in the Royal Exchange Theatre and is adding new products to her shop all the time! Way to go!

Tea Shelf Alumni Success


Dot & Flow Design

We were thrilled to hear that a number of our very talented course alumni  formed a wonderful collective, Dot & Flow Design and were able to exhibit at Surtex in 2016. Bringing designers together is just one of the fantastic aspects of our community. Here is a collection of their recent work –  best of luck to you all in the future!

 

Dot and flow COLLAGE Alumni Success


Cindy Willingham

USA -based self-proclaimed craft revolution ambassador, sewing and surface pattern designer Cindy Willingham has a number of amazing designs in her collection that we LOVE! She is the creator of Revel Designs – a gorgeous website featuring her lovely body of work. We were honoured to have Cindy as a student on Modules 1, 2 and 3!

Screen Shot 2017 10 23 at 11.41.11 Alumni Success

Screen Shot 2018 12 18 at 11.34.01 Alumni Success


Charlotte Brown

Charlotte Brown was thrilled to have signed a number of exciting licensing deals in 2015. Alongside a range of luxury wallpapers with interiors company Eades Bespoke in the UK, her designs are also available as phone and tech cases through both Casetify and Deindesign. Way to go Charlotte!

 

CharlotteBrown Cherry Blossom lottibrown from module4 Alumni Success


Tanya Paget

Tanya Paget’s work was picked up by Feathr as a result of a Module 2: Designing your way brief. Two designs were selected for production as wallpaper and shown as part of the London Design festival at Tent London in September 2015 resulting in demand for other colourways and lots of great PR exposure!

Tanya joined forces with other students taking the course to form a new collective called Finch & Foxglove, signed a contract with a cool agency in Scotland and exhibited at both Premiere Vision, Paris in February and Surtex New York in May 2016.

ALBAQUIRKYLOGO Alumni Success

Alumni Success


Jessica Wilde

Jessica Wilde is now enjoying life as a freelance surface pattern designer; licensing her art, working with a design studio and developing her own range of products to sell on Not On The High Street.

Her work was selected to feature in Marie Perkins’ ‘Print and Pattern: Geometric’ book, she won a recent Tigerprint competition and  exhibited for the first time at The British Craft Trade Fair, Harrogate in 2016!

 

Daisy Lace Jessica Wilde Design © Alumni Success


Kelly Angelovic

Kelly Angelovic is enjoying continued success including a holiday card with Papyrus Greetings, a book cover design for a local author, sales of a new pattern of her with JoAnn Fabric, a holiday themed giveaway with her art tribe ‘Kindered Art Collective and a candle packaging design.

KELLYANGELOVIC Alumni Success

KellyAngelovic HappySummer Alumni Success


Beth Schneider

The Guildery have selected three of ABSPD student Beth Schneider’s pattern designs which they have curated in to the Walden Collection. This includes pillows in various sizes, wallpaper, table runners, tea towels, cloth napkins, wrapping paper, fabric by the yard, and their most recent product….fabric wrapping paper!

 

Pillow Alumni Success


Alumni Features in MOYO Magazine!

We regularly showcase our alumni success in MOYO Magazine and on our blog here, along with some words from them about how the course helped them develop as a designer. Here are some fabulous examples of features and class showcases:


Alumni Success feature (in MOYO Issue 8 p.99 – 106)

MOYO issue 8

Alumni Success feature (in MOYO Issue 7 p.139 – 144)

Moyo7 alumni success

 

Gavin Ross Rutherford (in MOYO Issue 6 pg. 108 -109)

108&109.MOYO_ISSUE6_GAVIN-RUTHERFORD_GR_550PX_LR

Genine Delahaye (in MOYO Issue 5 p.96-97)

MOYO5_GenineDelahaye_96-97

Alumni Success feature (in MOYO Issue 5 p.106-109)

MOYO5_AlumniSuccess_p106-107

Sam Osborne (in MOYO Issue 4 p.76-77)

M4 SF Sam Osborne

Alumni success group feature (in MOYO Issue 3 p.60-63)

M3 AS 1

Emily Truong (in MOYO Issue 3 p.58-59)

M3 SF Emily Truong

Simi Gauba (in MOYO Issue 2 p.42-43)

M2 SF Simi Gauba

Suzanne Washington  (in MOYO Issue 1 p.20-21)

M1 Suzanne Washington

Class showcase in MOYO Issue 6 pg. 112 – 117

112&113.MOYO_ISSUE-6_STUDENT-SHOWCASE_P1+2_SK_550PX_LR

Class showcase in MOYO Issue 5 pg 98-105

MOYO5_Showcase_p98-99

Class showcase in MOYO Issue 4 p.80-83

M4 SS

Class showcase in MOYO Issue 3 p.68-69

M3 SS

Class showcase in MOYO Issue 2 p.44-48

M2 SS 1

MIID DIVIDER COLOURED RGB HR Alumni Success

More Exciting Success!

MIID DIVIDER COLOURED RGB HR Alumni Success