Designer Interview: Marta Berk

Today on the blog, we have an interview with Marta Berk. Marta is based in Brooklyn New York and shares her career path as a designer with us, as well as some of her lovely designs!

• When did your interest in design first start and how did that come about?
I’ve been doodling and painting for as long as I can remember. I’ve known from an early age that I wanted to grow up to be an artist. In college, I majored in graphic design because I figured it was more practical. After 8 years working for publishers and ad agencies, I would still come home and spend my free time doodling. It has been my dream to work on my own projects and see products in stores with my designs.

• What steps did you take to get to where you are now as a designer?
Over the past 2 years or so, I’ve been taking tons of online classes with Pattern Observer, and then MATS with famed agent Lilla Rogers. The classes and the community have been incredibly priceless.

• How would you describe your style?
I would say my style is definitely on the quirky side. I might mix digital with hand drawn sketches, maybe some texture, but always fun, light, and cheery.

• What kind of designer do you want to be known as?
I would love to be known as a quirky and happy designer specializing in whimsical characters and patterns.

• What are you working on currently?
I’m currently preparing for my debut at SURTEX this upcoming May. Walking it last year has given me the courage to dive in.

• What advice would you give emerging designers wanting to build their portfolios?
My only regret is that I haven’t started this sooner. I was too scared to take the leap, believing that I wasn’t good enough or that I would fail. So my biggest advice for other artists who are just starting out is to stop being so hard on themselves. We are all still learning and that’s ok. Just explore, research, observe, and never stop learning.

• What would be your dream design gig?
My dream gig would be to have home décor products created from my designs. I would love to just fill my home with my art, everything from pillows to rugs to kitchen plates.

• Looking ahead what are your major goals for the next couple of years?
I’m hoping that SURTEX will be a huge success for me and create contacts with many dream clients. I would love to get more licensing deals and perhaps an agent to help me manage them.

• If you were a pattern what kind of a pattern would you be and why?
If I were a pattern, I would have to be a funky floral pattern with pretty delicate features and a tiny bit of texture.

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Marta Berk is a Belarusian illustrator/ surface designer based in Brooklyn, NY. Marta has over 8 years experience in graphic design, having worked for publishing houses and agencies. But creating cute characters and whimsical patterns is her true passion. Her work is light hearted, whimsical, and fun. In under 2 years, she has grown a collection of over 100 prints and patterns for a range of surfaces including fabrics, paper products, homeware, and more.