The Make it in Design team love nothing more than to celebrate all of the wonderful work from our talented and amazing community.
The Live Hub – is our monthly membership club that is jam packed full of energy and dedication from our members each and every day.
The group is such a supportive, wonderful, magical place and we want to acknowledge that with our Member spotlight!
Today we showcase the work of Eryn Leonard.
How did you get started in design?
I signed up for Skillshare to learn how to embroider, but instead I watched a class on how to use Procreate and I was hooked. I took class after class and learned how to use the program like a pro. I loved the fact that it was so easy to erase mistakes- I think that was what kept me back when using pencil and paper. That and the fact that I couldn’t draw perfectly, which I took to mean that I wasn’t good enough. Something inside me just kept going when I picked up the Apple Pencil though, and from drawing classes I moved to design classes and then I felt I needed something more so I joined the Live Hub and I haven’t looked back. In 2021 I gave myself the year to draw and design without any expectations to make sure it was something that I wanted to pursue as a career, I’ve jumped into things before and they’ve fizzled out, but I’m still drawing daily and enjoying it so in 2022 I’m going to refine my portfolio and my goal is to get a paid design contract by the end of the year.
What brings you joy?
I love showing my designs to my daughter and husband and having them say how cool they look. My daughter is my biggest fan, and my husband has this quiet pride in me that gives me so much confidence.
What are your favourite markets to design for?
I buy my 5 year old daughter clothes and I wish that they made women’s clothing in the same patterns. Women get a lot of neutrals and black and whites, stripes, spots. Boring. I dream of exciting T-shirts and cool PJ’s. I’d love to partner with a brand that makes bright, interesting and different designs for their clothing in quality fabric that doesn’t require ironing… I HATE IRONING. So I design things I’d like to wear, for women who don’t want to look like everyone else.
What are you working on currently?
In the spirit of the new year I’ve decided to focus on 5 things in my design process each month:
- The MIID Live Hub Monthly design challenge
- A trio of Instagram tiles designed to showcase my style. I’m using it as a portfolio builder not a social platform… I don’t love social media even though I work in marketing
- Complete 1 Spoonflower challenge- they’re good for trend forecasting
- Complete a design following a current trend from the Live Hub/ Porter and Braun
- Design 100 Simple Patterns- spots, stripes, squares, the things that look like they don’t require much thought, so you might overlook designing them, but they make up a huge range of what is marketable
How has MIID helped your work grow/ evolve
One of the things I’m not confident in is colour choice, I love the monthly challenge and the trend forecasts so I can work on designs in relevant colours and themes for the month. By trying something different I open myself up to a different avenue of design that I might not have thought about before.
Any aha moments?
Doodles are a legitimate source of design inspiration. MIID has taught me that no matter how simple or pared down a design might be, it’s still a piece of art that you can be proud of- and it’s marketable too!
Key successes:
I’ve grown my portfolio with designs I wouldn’t have thought of on my own. I’ve become member of the month! I’ve got faith that I will meet my goal for the year and get a design licensed.
How would you describe Make it in Design?
The women involved in MIID are professional designers who share their knowledge and contacts with no limitations, they are generally invested in promoting their members and creating a community that supports each other and celebrates their successes.
What’s your dream design gig?
I’d love to get my designs on a product that is environmentally friendly and isn’t just about selling but about helping the earth in the future.
Best advice:
Do the work. Even if it’s not in your comfort zone. You’ll either come out with something you love, or confirm somethings not for you which is just as valuable.
How do you stay motivated?
I follow inspiring women, take classes and take books out of the library. I’m always learning, always looking…
How do you balance other commitments?
I’m lucky, designing has fit in with my lifestyle. I can design while I watch TV at the end of the day. And I look forward to that time every day. I don’t find making time to design stressful, and i enjoy planning what I’m going to draw every day. My house might not be as tidy as I’d like, but having a completed design gives me so much more pleasure than a shiny countertop. I work full time in marketing for shopping centres in Perth, Western Australia. It’s a grind, but I’ve been doing it so long that it doesn’t drain my creativity and I can still create when I get home… sometimes at work too!!!
