Signing Up For A Course
Q. What does a ‘LIVE’ course mean?
This means the course is only available for a limited time at certain times during the year. Live courses can include Q&A’s with Rachael, live briefs and live community interaction. Please do refer to individual course descriptions.
Q. What does a ‘SELF-PACED / INSTANT ACCESS’ course mean?
This means that you can start the course now and complete it in your own time.
Q. What is a ‘live membership club’?
Our membership club (The Make it in Design Live Hub) provides new live monthly content which can be accessed for a monthly, quarterly or annual price. Doors for the Live Hub are only open at certain times in the year and the membership club includes Q&A’s and Facebook lives with Course Leader Rachael Taylor or a guest expert.
Q. When can I sign up for the next course?
A. Please do make sure to check out our course schedule on the homepage of our website.
For the self-paced versions of Modules 1, 2 and 3, you can sign up whenever is best for you and your schedule. While we do recommend a 5-week pacing, this is a self-paced online class. You will have up to 12 months to access the material upon purchase in case you need to take more time.
Our most advanced course, The Ultimate Portfolio Builder, is a live course that runs twice per year, typically in September and February. Please take a peek in our shop for our latest courses and offers.
Q. What materials do I need to get started?
During the courses you will be encouraged to keep a sketchbook (which can be made or bought), and sketch using a variety of materials including black ink, pencils and paint. It is helpful but not necessary to have access to a sewing machine. You would also benefit from access to a simple digital camera, and will need access to a computer, scanner and Adobe software for the more advanced technical aspects of the courses.
Is this course for me?
Q. I have no experience of drawing or designing, can I still take your courses?
Absolutely! You do not need a design background to take our course. There are no formal entry requirements and we welcome both complete beginners and professional designers. We do recommend all those new to surface pattern begin with Module 1: Designing Your Way.
Q. I have a background in design but have taken a break and now I’d like to learn the software and business skills to get back into the industry. Should I start with Module 1?
A. We recommend that most people start with Module 1, as our course is structured in such a way that each module builds on the skills learnt from the previous module, to increase your design skills in a structured and fun way.
If you feel you have appropriate skills already, you may be more suited to starting with Module 2 which will build up the foundations of surface pattern and look at how you build your brand as a designer and helping you widen your portfolio. Please check the course pages and brochures for each module to see which class you are most suited to taking.
Q. I want to take Modules 2-3 but didn’t take Module 1. Have I missed out on too much?
A. You can choose to take the modules independently as singles but they are designed to flow as complementary modules which build on the previous ones. We do encourage all modules to give you a rounded view, but it is not compulsory. In Modules 2 and 3 will provide a brief summary of the key points covered in the previous module and touch on some of the same content to make sure you don’t get lost, but you will miss content.
Whether this matters in your case really depends on your level of experience and confidence. Please visit our course pages for the full list of what is included in each module, and tailor your choices to work for you and your particular circumstances and experience level. If you have never used Adobe Photoshop or Illustrator before it is highly recommended that you take Module 1 first.
Q. I don’t live in the UK. Is this course relevant for me?
You don’t need to live in the UK to take this course – it is open to anyone anywhere, which is why the community will be so rich and valuable. In terms of the content, although Rachael is a UK-based designer, she has numerous licensing deals with companies across the US, Europe and Australia so will be sharing valuable information and insight if you are interested in selling your work internationally. However the courses are taught only in English.
Q. Is the course just for women?
A. Not at all! Everyone is welcome. Join us! We’ve taught students from all backgrounds, genders and from around the world.
Software Requirements
Q. Do I need any special software to begin Module 1?
A. You can do all of the lessons and exercises for Module 1 without having any special software. However, the Technical Workshops include useful step-by-step guides to using Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator for basic pattern design. Don’t worry if you don’t have this software yet – the Technical Workshops are available for you to download and keep so you can always work through them at a later date. You will also need a scanner for the Bonus Technical Workshops and you may find it useful to have access to a printer.
Q. Do I need to learn Photoshop/Illustrator before starting the course?
If you have time it is worth familiarising yourself with the software before the course, but if you can’t do that do not panic! You will be given step-by-step guidance for all the key things you need to know.
Q. Do I need Photoshop/Illustrator for Modules 2 & 3?
In order to make the most of this course you will need access to a computer, scanner and Adobe software (both Photoshop and Illustrator). We only give instruction on full Adobe Photoshop/Illustrator. The Technical Workshops are demonstrated in Adobe CC but earlier versions are fine too. This is industry standard software and if you want to make it as a professional designer this is an essential investment that you will need to make at some point. For this reason we do not demonstrate using Photoshop Elements or free software and cannot offer any technical advice on either during this Module. If you do not have this software yet you can download the Technical Workshops and do them in your own time. There will still be some exercises which you can do without them. The beauty of an online course is that you can check in whenever you like and do not need to be online at a specific time as the content will be available 24/7. You can also choose when to spend time on the exercises. You can log on every day if you choose, or set aside some time once or twice a week to work through it. There will also be a private Facebook community space where you can connect with others and share images of your work.
How The Courses Work
Q. What format are your courses taught in?
The classes are mostly taught using video (with transcripts provided), plus written posts, imagery and downloadable pdfs. Each of our courses comes with a set of Technical Workshops (provided in video and/or PDF format) for you to download and keep. These provide valuable step-by-step technical guidance for using Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator for a variety of topics key for surface pattern design success.
Q. I’ve never taken an online course before. How does it work? Do I need to be at my computer at a certain time?
A. The courses are delivered in private classrooms, whether they are LIVE or SELF-PACED. There is a separate classroom for each course. For self-paced course, upon purchase, all lessons will be instantly available. For live courses new content is made available in the classroom each week.
Q. Will the class material be available after the course has ended?
A. Every lesson in the classroom along with the Technical Workshops will be yours to download and keep forever. The course classroom will also be available for up to 12 months after purchasing. The private online community will remain open indefinitely and is a fantastic source of inspiration – each module usually has an average of 1000+ images posted by class participants!
Q. Can I ask Rachael questions directly?
Unfortunately not in our self-paced courses. Our live courses offer weekly Q&A opportunities with Rachael. With each course you will also have access to an extensive database of FAQ’s covering a multitude of helpful topics that we have collated over years of delivering our courses. For access to direct Q&A opportunities with Rachael Taylor, please also take a look at our low-cost monthly membership where we will be offering a monthly Facebook live session with Rachael or (a member of the MIID team) with the opportunity to submit questions for consideration.
Q. Will I get feedback on my work?
A. The Ultimate Portfolio Builder is the only course offered where individual feedback and critique of your work and website is included. This is an invaluable opportunity to see how others view your work and will give you give lots of things to think about. For Modules 1 – 3 we do not offer individual feedback or critique, and your work will not be marked. However, class participants are encouraged to leave supportive comments and feedback on one another’s work within the Facebook groups. Students have said this is a hugely beneficial aspect of the course.
Q. Are the courses marked?
No, there is no marking of work in this course. Our intention is to encourage new designers, and build confidence in a supportive atmosphere. Please see the course pages for further information.
Q. Are the courses accredited or affiliated with a University?
We are not currently affiliated with any school or University. However, our courses have been well received with the design industry and a number of prestigious companies hold it in great esteem and have gone on to work with many of our alumni. See our success stories or our testimonials.
Q. I’m going to be away for some of the course, does this matter?
For live courses, yes as you will miss the content when it goes live. However, we always give you at least 12 months access to classroom after your purchase so that you can catch-up and download everything you need.
For self-paced courses, no. These courses can be accessed anywhere in the world and up to 12 months after you purchase it. If you are going to be away for some of the course and won’t have the opportunity to access the material, you can catch up when you return. If you wish, you also have permission to print the classroom lessons and keep them. You can also download many of the key materials such as videos, transcripts, and class PDF’s and and save for later.
Q. How long does it take to work through the courses?
A. For the self-paced courses you will get out what you put in! You could work through everything in a course for about 30-60 minutes per day, or you could choose to make the most of this opportunity and spend 10-12 hours plus a week on it. It really is up to you. There is a huge amount of information and inspiration packed into our courses. However, our recommended time -s around 5-7 weeks dependent on the course.
You can also print out the class lessons and spend time on it after class has finished. Many of the exercises can be repeated over and over in your own time to generate new pattern ideas etc. Besides the class exercises there are a series of Bonus Technical Workshops in Modules 1 – 3 on different technical aspects of pattern design. These are all downloadable videos and supporting PDF notes so you can keep them and work on them at any time, even after your course access expires.
For live courses these run from 5-7 weeks dependent on the course.
Q. Will I be able to communicate with others in my course?
A. Yes, you will be able to communicate via the private Facebook group provided (where you can also share images of your work), or other social media platforms should you choose to connect with your classmates. We have participants joining us from all corners of the world so it will be an exciting opportunity to make new connections, get different perspectives and share your work.
Q. Can I take the courses out of order and do two at the same time (i.e. Modules 2 and 3)?
A. We would advise that you take the classes individually and in order, to give yourself enough time and space to work through them all and develop as a designer.
Payment + T’s & C’s
Q. Can I pay in instalments?
Please contact the Make it in Design team to discuss payment options if you are interested in instalments.
Q. Do you offer refunds or course deferrals?
No. In accordance with our Terms and Conditions, we are unable to offer refunds and can only extend course access in the case of extreme circumstances. This will be at the sole discretion of the Make it in Design team.
Q. How do I pay for the course?
All payments for the course are through Paypal. However, you do not need a PayPal account to sign up, and should be able to pay directly with a credit or debit card. Please visit our shop to purchase a course or course package.
Q. Your prices are given in GBP (British pounds). Can I pay in another currency?
A. Yes, Paypal will accept most currencies. All our fees are charged in GBP (British pounds), and this will be the amount which shows up in your Paypal transaction. However, you will automatically be charged in your local currency at the current Paypal exchange rate valid at the point you sign up. For example, if you have a US$ bank account, the funds will be removed in US$. The local currency equivalent should be displayed on your screen before the transaction is completed.
Q. What payment methods do you accept?
We process all our payments with Paypal, a safe and secure way of sending money online. If you do not have a Paypal account, you can sign in as a Paypal guest and pay via credit or debit card. All class fees are in GBP (British pounds) but you will automatically be charged in your local currency at the current Paypal exchange rate valid at the point of sign up.
Q. Can I let my friends or family use my account?
No. When you sign up for a course or membership, you will receive individual access for one person. If you are interested in a group or educational license please contact the Make it in Design team seperately.
Scholarships + Gift Vouchers
Q. Do you have a scholarship available?
A. Yes, we have an annual scholarship offer with Print & Pattern – we announce details of the next one on our the website and on our social media as soon as the dates are confirmed.
Q. Are gift vouchers available for the course?
A. Yes! Please email the Make it in Design team for more information.
