UPB Graduate Interview: Joanne De Pace

Today we are thrilled to share with you an interview with Joanne De Pace a surface pattern designer based here in the UK and a graduate of The Ultimate Portfolio Builder which she took in September 2015.

When did your interest in design first start and how did that come about?

I have always been a creative person, drawing, painting and crafting handmade cards. I have a degree in Illustration but I actually discovered by the end of my degree, that Illustration is not my thing. I worked as a librarian, a job I loved, for 16 years but after I had my third child I realised that it was time to claw back some time to follow my true passion…Surface Pattern Design. I looked at my children and knew that I had to be true to myself in order to inspire them to follow their dreams too.

What steps did you take to get to where you are now as a designer?

I quit my day job and have spent the last year and a half teaching myself how to use Illustrator and working through all of the ABSPD modules. Everyday I draw something new and work on developing new pattern collections. Everyday I aim to build my portfolio and constantly update it with new work.

How would you describe your style?

I discovered my ‘style’ at the very end of my degree, it’s very graphic. It actually took me a long time to come to terms with that. I tried to change it so that my work ‘fitted in’ with other styles I admired, I worked with watercolours for a while but I kept coming back to this emphatic, bold way of creating work and actually it is just what comes most naturally to me…it’s mine.

What kind of designer do you want to be known as?

A good one! I want you to be able to look at one of my patterns and know that it’s mine. I want my work to stand out by its style, colour and range.

What are you working on currently?

I am currently designing a range of greetings cards and notelets, wrapping paper and gift tags. I also have several commissions for wedding stationery that are keeping me busy and I love being able to incorporate my pattern work within something so personal to someone else.

What advice would you give emerging designers wanting to build their portfolios?

It’s not easy to stay motivated and creative when you are also trying to balance the needs of a large family, or a job and other commitments. It takes sacrifice and dedication but it is so important to push yourself, really challenge yourself to try new things. Commit to learning something new every day… draw something you don’t think you can, research a company you want to work for, a designer you love, anything to keep moving you forward. Your portfolio is a record of all you have learnt and it’s really essential to keep it fresh and interesting. Give it a good solid foundation of basics, i.e., florals, geometrics and character design and then fill in the gaps with patterns that you really loved making. Your passion will flow into your work and your portfolio is the place to show it off. Don’t be scared.

What would be your dream design gig?

I am addicted to stationery so to design for Paperchase or Go Stationery would be amazing!

Looking ahead what are your major goals for the next couple of years?

I am now starting to look at producing my own product ranges, the idea of running my own business is really exciting to me. So a new website is in the works and exhibiting at trade shows are at the top of my list. I love seeing my work on ‘real’ objects, so the months ahead are all going to be about product development and building my brand and body of work.

If you were a pattern what kind of a pattern would you be and why?

I’d be the ‘Strawberry Picker’ by William Morris…It’s one of my favourite patterns but don’t ask to pick a colour way, I couldn’t choose! I love the intricacy of the pattern, the beautiful combination of wildlife and flora and forna. It’s a very lively, entertaining, timeless pattern.

What was the most important lesson you took away from UPB?

To be open to trying new things. I really focused on challenging myself to do things that scared me and not hold back and I found myself being able to create work I really loved because of that.

What difference did it make to have a supportive community of fellow students and how important do you think that will be going forward?

Sometimes you can get lost in your own head while you are designing alone and being part of that community of fellow artists and designers allows you to bounce ideas off one another, share your doubts and fears and gain support and encouragement when you need it most. It is an essential lifeline and many of us will stay friends and continue supporting each other through the ups and downs of our careers.

Please tell us about your experience of the live briefs and student work reviews.

The highlight of this course, for me, was the review of my work. I was at a point where I really needed to know if I was heading in the right direction and the review allowed me to have that reassurance and understand what I needed to do to push myself even further. The opportunity to have that kind of professional feedback was amazing! The live briefs were a great chance to show off everything we had learnt on the course and it was lovely to see how differently everybody interpreted the same brief.

I am a surface pattern designer from Surrey, UK. I have a real passion for graphic design, in all it’s guises, colour and pretty patterns. The inspiration for my work comes from a variety of sources but I really enjoy looking through old wallpaper sample books, visiting art exhibitions and scrolling through Pinterest as a way of generating ideas. I have a growing business designing bespoke wedding stationery and wallpaper and I’m slowly developing my brand as my portfolio and client list grows. I have 3 daughters who all inspire me to create new work and are never shy to tell me what they like…or don’t like!