Today our designer interview is with Egle Petrauskaite who is a recent graduate of The Ultimate Portfolio Builder – an advanced seven-week online professional surface pattern design course.
When did your interest in design first start and how did that come about?
I’ve been drawing since I was kid. I remember winning a Colgate competition and receiving a bar of chocolate as a prize, ironic. I started working on design briefs when I was in high school and the rest is history really.
What steps did you take to get to where you are now as a designer?
In high school, I applied to do my BA in Textile design and I graduated in 2008. The year when the recession hit and still not 100% sure on what I wanted to do, I applied to do an MA in Textile Futures at Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design. Since graduating in 2010, I worked for an agent and on other little commissions, but it wasn’t going anywhere. I’ve been a follower of Print&Pattern blog for years and that’s when I came across MakeItInDesign e-courses. I’ve done all four modules and I’ve learned so much business material that has never been taught in universities. So, this is where I am now and still lots of exciting work to do, but at least everything is much clearer now.
How would you describe your style?
All of my designs are hand-drawn. They are really intricate and I spend lots of time perfecting them. I find drawing really relaxing so most of the time it doesn’t feel like work. Once finished, I love seeing my drawings on a computer screen, as they look so different when they are not on paper.
What kind of designer do you want to be known as?
I want to be known as a designer who “creates beautifully intricate designs”. Designs that can be seen as art work.
What are you working on currently?
Currently, I’m working on my brand. Still need to work on the expansion of my portfolio, do lots of networking and contacting companies and buyers; meaning, I need to tick off many ‘To-do Lists’ and ‘Goals Lists’.
What advice would you give emerging designers wanting to build their portfolios?
I’ve tried for years after graduating to build a good enough portfolio that I could take to agents, but wasn’t very successful. I needed focus and direction. And all the modules helped you focus and it set you briefs to concentrate on and expand your portfolio. Plus, the online community of other designers was fantastic. You can ask them anything and they will give you their feedback. You need that sometimes, working on your own is hard work.
What would be your dream design gig?
I would love to design a wallpaper collection for ZARAHome, as I really think they should expand their range.
Looking ahead what are your major goals for the next couple of years?
- – a few features online for blogs such as Print&Pattern
- – a few licensing deals secured
- – be featured in a book
- – publish a colouring book
- – exhibit at three trade shows: Printsource, Surtex and TopDrawer
If you were a pattern what kind of a pattern would you be and why?
I would be a ‘busy’ pattern as it would show my personality and the amount of different things I like and enjoy.
What was the most important lesson you took away from UPB?
Definitely the business part. Steps in how, what, where and when to start a business. This really helped me. I’m not saying I came to the course not knowing anything, but this has given me a big push, focus and direction.
What difference did it make to have a supportive community of fellow students and how important do you think that will be going forward?
The online community is fantastic. Every time I had a ‘colour-way’ indecision (which happened a lot) I got lots of feedback and suggestions. The community is really valuable. And you just don’t know who you will meet.
Please tell us about your experience of the live briefs and student work reviews.
I really enjoyed the live briefs. Some of them didn’t feel that my style would fit in the brief and what the companies would be looking for, but I still gave it a try and created work that I really liked. The student reviews were great too, lots of feedback and suggestions about colour, placements etc. It was good to see everyone’s reviews too, it reminded me a little a bit of the ‘crits’ we used to have at university. Once again, I took away something valuable from the reviews. They also gave you feedback on your website/blog which is really important to have these days.
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My name is Egle Petrauskaite and I work under OnaHonour Surface Pattern Design and Illustration studio. I’m Lithuanian-born, raised in Scotland from early teens, resided in England in the 20s and now spending a few years in Shanghai, China, gathering lots of Asian inspiration. I’m a trained screen-printer, studied in Dundee and London. I would love to screen-print everyday but currently still remains as a dream. Digital surface pattern is what I’ve been working on ever since I graduated.
- Website/blog onahonour.com
- Facebook facebook.com/onahonour
- Twitter @onahonour
- Instagram @onahonour
Amazed by what you see above from our talented students? Join our next class of The Ultimate Portfolio Builder which starts September 21st 2015.
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The Art and Business of Surface Pattern Design is the definitive guide to becoming a surface pattern design professional.If you have ever dreamed of seeing your designs on stationery, homewares, fabric or other products, this series of interactive online courses is for you! Thriving surface pattern designer Rachael Taylor will guide you along this exciting path from developing your signature style, to putting a collection together, and from protecting your work to monetising your designs. With a rich combination of design inspiration, practical advice, demonstrations, creative exercises, resources and interviews with leading industry practitioners, this is the go-to guide for anyone wanting to develop their design skills and break into the industry. Our next classes begin September 21, 2015 – we hope to be able to welcome you to class!
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