Start now and begin your creative journey!
WITH ACCESS TO DECEMBER 2021!
Designing your way (Module 1) is an online, self-paced* course where you will learn everything you need to know to turn basic sketches into elements for pattern design. Find out more about colour and pattern, how to create mood boards and how to create repeat patterns in Adobe Illustrator.
Module 1 is a fantastic introduction to the surface pattern design industry and helps YOU to find your passion, personal style and place within it.
We have welcomed over 15,000 students onto our courses from over 100 countries around the world, and our classrooms are accessible on-line 24/7, so you can join us from any time zone and fit the course into your busy life. Check out our latest research to see how our alumni rate the course, what they got out of it and why you should join us too! Whether you’re just starting out or are looking to refresh your skills, this is the start of a very exciting journey with new friends in preparation for a successful surface pattern career.
*Self paced = Start now with instant access to the course and complete in your own time with a minimum of 6 months access.
Designing Your Way includes:
- 9 in-depth technical videos taught by Course Leader Rachael Taylor
- Various drawing techniques to get you started, loosen up & really explore your design style
- How and where to seek out design inspiration
- How to work with colour in Adobe software
- How to create physical mood boards and in Adobe software
- How to build a pattern physically and in Adobe software
- How to develop your signature design style and inject YOU into you work
- How to turn elements of a mixed media painting into a pattern (featuring the work of Kelly Rae Roberts)
- How to create repeats in Adobe Illustrator
- Time-saving tricks and industry insider tips
- The secrets of successful surface pattern designers
- Explanations of design industry terms and pattern types
- Interviews with working designers
- The foundations of great design presentation
- Downloadable pattern source guide
PLUS…
BONUS TECHNICAL WORKSHOP VIDEOS giving you a step-by-step guide to scanning images and basic manipulation in Photoshop and Illustrator, playing with colour and sketching and creating repeats on your computer. See below for the whole list or on our Technical Workshops page.
Not only this, you also get a peek behind the scenes of Rachael Taylor’s life as a dynamic and successful professional surface pattern designer and a glimpse at some previously unpublished designs!
Want to know more? Be sure to check out our 50 reasons why this course is awesome!
Bonus technical workshops included in Designing Your Way:
In our technical videos Course Leader Rachael Taylor introduces you to the fundamental elements for creating surface pattern design and includes 9 in-depth videos:
- Image Trace and Motif Manipulation in Adobe Illustrator – learn how to trace an original drawing, edit and manipulate your image and turn it into a simplistic surface pattern concept.
- Basic Editing and Motif Manipulation in Adobe Photoshop – learn how to work with your scanned drawings, edit and manipulate them to create a simplistic surface pattern concept.
- Applying Basic Colour and Selecting Pantones in Adobe Illustrator – explore how to apply colour and layering techniques to your artwork. Learn how to work with the geometric tool, Pantone libraries and apply Pantone colours. Learn to understand the impact of using colour to add another dimension to your designs.
- Applying Basic Colour and Selecting Pantones in Adobe Photoshop – explore how to apply colour and layering techniques to your artwork. Learn how to work with Pantone libraries and apply Pantone colours. Understand colour basics and become more confident with experimenting with colour.
- Creating Colour Palettes in Adobe Illustrator – explore colour palette creation using your own photography and inspiration. Learn how to use the type and geometric tools, place and embed images and save your file.
- Creating Colour Palettes in Adobe Photoshop – explore colour palette creation using your own photography and inspiration. Learn how to choose fonts, use the type tool, experiment with opacity, place and embed images and save your file.
- Creating a Digital Moodboard in Adobe Illustrator – learn how to open and place files, work with colour, use the geometric and type tools, how to present and compose your work and how to add extra details using the pencil, pen and effects tools, as well as how to save your work.
- Creating a Technical Repeat Tile in Adobe Illustrator – learn how to create a technical repeat tile, set up at industry standards. Explore pattern, composition and seamless repeats.
- Working with Mixed Media to Create a Surface Pattern Concept in Adobe Photoshop – explore how to edit and use mixed media artwork, manipulate it and turn it into a surface pattern concept – demonstrated using the work of the world renowned Kelly Rae Roberts.
This is for you if:
- You are drawn to drawing, pattern design and colour
- You want to learn more about how to create your own patterns and the design industry
- You don’t have time to study surface pattern design at college or university
- You want to join a community of like-minded people on a fun and inspiring creative journey
- You dream of one day licensing or selling your own designs or setting up your own design label but don’t know where to begin (NB this is the first step – Modules 2 and 3 provide more business-related advice)
Please note that you do not absolutely need a computer for the creative exercises in Designing Your Way, but you will be given valuable bonus technical guides to help you design on the computer should you wish to. Please note we do not offer technical guidance for any programmes other than Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator (including free software).
Please also note that this course is not assessed and does not include individual critique of your work.
Testimonials and successes:
Here are a handful of words used by previous students to describe this module:
“totally essential”
“liberating”
“energising”
“excellent”
“worthwhile”
“informative”
“jam-packed”
“challenging and fun in equal measure”
“loved every day of it!”
Course alumni have gone on launch their own design studios, win national awards, be featured in design books and on leading blogs and more. Many of our graduates have been signed for exciting licensing deals – such as Wendy Kendall with Deny Designs, Elizabeth Olwen with TeNeues, Anneline Sophia with Artscase.
Read a handful of our class testimonials, check out our alumni successes and see what our students are getting up to!
Experience, software, materials and device requirements:
Experience requirements:
This course is aimed at beginners but can be taken by all skills levels. You will be in safe hands with Rachael as she makes her tutorials very easy to follow. You do not need to have taken any of our other courses in order to take part.
Software:
In the course Rachael Taylor will be teaching her workshops in Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop. If you wish to follow the technical workshops then you will need to have these programmes available to you. If you are new to the software, don’t worry, as Course Leader Rachael has been teaching the software for 8+ years and her tutorials are very easy to pick up and follow. Please note that the software is not included in class and it will need to be purchased separately from Adobe. We advise getting in touch with them directly for the best deals. Adobe programmes are widely used in the design industry and are an essential investment if you are serious about a creative career or learning to apply the skills you will learn. However, we always advise our students to take the courses at their own pace so if you wish to save the technical sections of the course for later when you feel you are more ready we would encourage this.
Materials:
For the motif making and drawing part of the class you may need access to simple drawing equipment such as pens, pencils, inks or paints depending on the media you prefer to create with. Rachael likes to use pens from Derwent, UniPin and Berol in a variety of weights.
Devices:
We do not have a set device requirement other than if you wish to follow the technical section of the course then your device will need to be able to run Adobe programmes sufficiently. The team works on Apple devices but we have had students also work on PC’s. If you have a scanner for uploading your drawings then this is great, but you can upload photography of your drawings to work on too.
How to register:
Check out our Terms & Conditions. We strongly encourage you to read these before registering, as registering for one or more Modules acknowledges acceptance of these Terms & Conditions.
Book your place in our shop.
Start now and begin your creative journey!
WITH ACCESS TO DECEMBER 2021!
Designing your way (Module 1) is an online, self-paced* course where you will learn everything you need to know to turn basic sketches into elements for pattern design. Find out more about colour and pattern, how to create mood boards and how to create repeat patterns in Adobe Illustrator.
Module 1 is a fantastic introduction to the surface pattern design industry and helps YOU to find your passion, personal style and place within it.
We have welcomed over 15,000 students onto our courses from over 100 countries around the world, and our classrooms are accessible on-line 24/7, so you can join us from any time zone and fit the course into your busy life. Check out our latest research to see how our alumni rate the course, what they got out of it and why you should join us too! Whether you’re just starting out or are looking to refresh your skills, this is the start of a very exciting journey with new friends in preparation for a successful surface pattern career.
*Self paced = Start now with instant access to the course and complete in your own time with a minimum of 6 months access.
Designing Your Way includes:
- 9 in-depth technical videos taught by Course Leader Rachael Taylor
- Various drawing techniques to get you started, loosen up & really explore your design style
- How and where to seek out design inspiration
- How to work with colour in Adobe software
- How to create physical mood boards and in Adobe software
- How to build a pattern physically and in Adobe software
- How to develop your signature design style and inject YOU into you work
- How to turn elements of a mixed media painting into a pattern (featuring the work of Kelly Rae Roberts)
- How to create repeats in Adobe Illustrator
- Time-saving tricks and industry insider tips
- The secrets of successful surface pattern designers
- Explanations of design industry terms and pattern types
- Interviews with working designers
- The foundations of great design presentation
- Downloadable pattern source guide
PLUS…
BONUS TECHNICAL WORKSHOP VIDEOS giving you a step-by-step guide to scanning images and basic manipulation in Photoshop and Illustrator, playing with colour and sketching and creating repeats on your computer. See below for the whole list or on our Technical Workshops page.
Not only this, you also get a peek behind the scenes of Rachael Taylor’s life as a dynamic and successful professional surface pattern designer and a glimpse at some previously unpublished designs!
Want to know more? Be sure to check out our 50 reasons why this course is awesome!
Bonus technical workshops included in Designing Your Way:
In our technical videos Course Leader Rachael Taylor introduces you to the fundamental elements for creating surface pattern design and includes 9 in-depth videos:
- Image Trace and Motif Manipulation in Adobe Illustrator – learn how to trace an original drawing, edit and manipulate your image and turn it into a simplistic surface pattern concept.
- Basic Editing and Motif Manipulation in Adobe Photoshop – learn how to work with your scanned drawings, edit and manipulate them to create a simplistic surface pattern concept.
- Applying Basic Colour and Selecting Pantones in Adobe Illustrator – explore how to apply colour and layering techniques to your artwork. Learn how to work with the geometric tool, Pantone libraries and apply Pantone colours. Learn to understand the impact of using colour to add another dimension to your designs.
- Applying Basic Colour and Selecting Pantones in Adobe Photoshop – explore how to apply colour and layering techniques to your artwork. Learn how to work with Pantone libraries and apply Pantone colours. Understand colour basics and become more confident with experimenting with colour.
- Creating Colour Palettes in Adobe Illustrator – explore colour palette creation using your own photography and inspiration. Learn how to use the type and geometric tools, place and embed images and save your file.
- Creating Colour Palettes in Adobe Photoshop – explore colour palette creation using your own photography and inspiration. Learn how to choose fonts, use the type tool, experiment with opacity, place and embed images and save your file.
- Creating a Digital Moodboard in Adobe Illustrator – learn how to open and place files, work with colour, use the geometric and type tools, how to present and compose your work and how to add extra details using the pencil, pen and effects tools, as well as how to save your work.
- Creating a Technical Repeat Tile in Adobe Illustrator – learn how to create a technical repeat tile, set up at industry standards. Explore pattern, composition and seamless repeats.
- Working with Mixed Media to Create a Surface Pattern Concept in Adobe Photoshop – explore how to edit and use mixed media artwork, manipulate it and turn it into a surface pattern concept – demonstrated using the work of the world renowned Kelly Rae Roberts.
This is for you if:
- You are drawn to drawing, pattern design and colour
- You want to learn more about how to create your own patterns and the design industry
- You don’t have time to study surface pattern design at college or university
- You want to join a community of like-minded people on a fun and inspiring creative journey
- You dream of one day licensing or selling your own designs or setting up your own design label but don’t know where to begin (NB this is the first step – Modules 2 and 3 provide more business-related advice)
Please note that you do not absolutely need a computer for the creative exercises in Designing Your Way, but you will be given valuable bonus technical guides to help you design on the computer should you wish to. Please note we do not offer technical guidance for any programmes other than Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator (including free software).
Please also note that this course is not assessed and does not include individual critique of your work.
Testimonials and successes:
Here are a handful of words used by previous students to describe this module:
“totally essential”
“liberating”
“energising”
“excellent”
“worthwhile”
“informative”
“jam-packed”
“challenging and fun in equal measure”
“loved every day of it!”
Course alumni have gone on launch their own design studios, win national awards, be featured in design books and on leading blogs and more. Many of our graduates have been signed for exciting licensing deals – such as Wendy Kendall with Deny Designs, Elizabeth Olwen with TeNeues, Anneline Sophia with Artscase.
Read a handful of our class testimonials, check out our alumni successes and see what our students are getting up to!
Experience, software, materials and device requirements:
Experience requirements:
This course is aimed at beginners but can be taken by all skills levels. You will be in safe hands with Rachael as she makes her tutorials very easy to follow. You do not need to have taken any of our other courses in order to take part.
Software:
In the course Rachael Taylor will be teaching her workshops in Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop. If you wish to follow the technical workshops then you will need to have these programmes available to you. If you are new to the software, don’t worry, as Course Leader Rachael has been teaching the software for 8+ years and her tutorials are very easy to pick up and follow. Please note that the software is not included in class and it will need to be purchased separately from Adobe. We advise getting in touch with them directly for the best deals. Adobe programmes are widely used in the design industry and are an essential investment if you are serious about a creative career or learning to apply the skills you will learn. However, we always advise our students to take the courses at their own pace so if you wish to save the technical sections of the course for later when you feel you are more ready we would encourage this.
Materials:
For the motif making and drawing part of the class you may need access to simple drawing equipment such as pens, pencils, inks or paints depending on the media you prefer to create with. Rachael likes to use pens from Derwent, UniPin and Berol in a variety of weights.
Devices:
We do not have a set device requirement other than if you wish to follow the technical section of the course then your device will need to be able to run Adobe programmes sufficiently. The team works on Apple devices but we have had students also work on PC’s. If you have a scanner for uploading your drawings then this is great, but you can upload photography of your drawings to work on too.
How to register:
Check out our Terms & Conditions. We strongly encourage you to read these before registering, as registering for one or more Modules acknowledges acceptance of these Terms & Conditions.
Book your place in our shop.
