What is surface pattern design? Must Know Tips For Aspiring Designers
When you think of surface pattern design, what comes to mind? Perhaps you envision a world of bright colors and bold prints. Maybe you imagine women's fashion or home decor. While it's certainly true that surface pattern design can encompass all of those things, there's so much more to it than that! In this blog post, we'll take a closer look at surface pattern design and find out what it is and how you can get into this magical industry. Stay with me – it's about to get interesting!
What Surface Pattern Design Really Is
So, what is surface pattern design? In a nutshell, it's the process of creating repeatable designs, and illustrations that can be applied to various surfaces. It's a fun and challenging art form that can be both profitable and rewarding. You can print the designs you create on fabric, wallpaper, or any other surface. This art form has been around for centuries, and it’s still going strong today.
Surface Pattern Design (SPD) is a delightful blend of creativity and geometry, and it's a skill that anyone can learn. It involves creative and strategic use of color, shape, and texture to create visually appealing designs that are aesthetically pleasing and commercially viable.
What Can You Do With SPD?
There are many career opportunities for surface pattern designers. You create your own patterns and sell them online, license them to retailers, and even print them products for your own business.
In addition, you can use SPD to embellish and personalise your own handmade crafts, such as making your own fabric for clothes and quilts, wrapping paper, personalised gifts, accessories, and more. You can also use it to create beautiful digital scrapbooks and cards.
The sky's the limit when it comes to what you can do with pattern design.
Surface Pattern Design Industries
There are an impressive number of industries that you can work in with SPD. You can pick just one or several that match your style, interests and brand voice.
The following are just a few of the industries you can work in:
Home decor: create beautiful patterns for wallpaper, soft furnishings, furniture, and more
Fashion: create unique designs for apparel and accessories
Product Packaging: design patterns that can be used on product packagings, such as boxes, bags, and labels
Graphic Design: use SPD techniques to create interesting and eye-catching graphics for marketing materials, websites, and more
Gifts: design patterns for wrapping paper, cards, and other gift items
Paper Goods: design patterns for notebooks, journals, and other paper products
Textiles: design patterns for fabrics, and other textile products
Nursery and children: create fun and vibrant patterns for bedding, wallpaper, toys, and more
These are just a few, and each of these industries is deeply varied. So, if you're not sure which industry to start in, take a look around you and see what inspires you, look at the types of products you have been buying and using, and think about the types of patterns you would like to see more of in the world. Then, start creating!
I have been working as a surface designer for years and I am always discovering new creative ways people use patterns for different products so the opportunities are endless and I believe, there's an industry out there that's a perfect fit for you.
Types of Patterns in Surface Pattern Design
The world of surface pattern design is vast and varied. There are literally thousands of different types of patterns that you can create. Here are just a few:
Geometric
Floral
Animal Prints
Nature
Historical
Contemporary
Folk
Abstract
Novelty
Seasonal
Inspirational
As you can see, the possibilities are endless. And every theme can also come in an infinite number of variations and styles. This means that as a surface pattern designer, you really are limited only by your own imagination.
Surface Pattern Design Can Be a Great Income Stream
Do you love fabrics? Do you love to draw and design? Do you love to make things pretty? If you answered "yes" to any of these questions, then surface pattern design may be the perfect creative outlet for you. Not only is it a fun and challenging art form, but it can also be a profitable one.
If you're interested in selling your designs, there are a number of online marketplaces where you can sell your patterns. Some of these marketplaces include Spoonflower and Fabric on Demand. You can also license your patterns to retailers, who will then use them to create finished products.
There's also a growing demand for surface pattern designers in the home decor market. Home decor companies are always on the lookout for new and innovative designs, which means there are plenty of opportunities for talented surface pattern designers to find work.
How to Get Started in Surface Pattern Design
If SPD is starting to sound like something you might be interested in, the next step is to get started. And luckily, it's not as hard as you might think. Here are a few tips:
1. Take some time to explore the world of surface pattern design. Study the work of some of your favorite designers and see what makes them successful.
2. Experiment with different design styles and techniques. Try out a variety of mediums, such as drawing, painting, and digital art.
3. Get involved in the online surface pattern design community. There are a number of online forums and groups where you can learn from other designers and share your work with others.
4. Join a surface pattern design course. There are a number of online and offline courses that can teach you the basics of surface pattern design.
5. Start designing! The best way to learn is to start creating and not be afraid to make mistakes.
The best way to get started in surface pattern design is to just dive in and start creating. Try out a variety of techniques and mediums, and don't be afraid to make mistakes. And most importantly, have fun.
If you're interested in learning more about surface pattern design, be sure to check out my post on advanced tips for creating beautiful patterns.
Start Small
When you're first starting out in surface pattern design, it's a good idea to start small. Try designing some simple patterns before moving on to more complex designs. This will help you get a feel for the process and allow you to build up your skills.
You can also start by designing patterns for personal use. This can be a great way to experiment with different design styles and techniques.
And who knows, you may even come up with a few patterns that you can sell later on.
Keep an Inspiration Journal
As a surface pattern designer, it's important to keep an inspiration journal (or a good old Pinterest board). This is a collection of images, textures, and anything else that inspire your work. Having this resource at your fingertips will help you come up with new and innovative design ideas and keep your creativity flowing.
What You Need To Get Started With SPD
The tools of the trade for surface pattern designers vary depending on the medium you're using. If you are a traditional artist and create your designs on paper first, you could invest in a good scanner to bring your designs into the digital world. If you're working in digital mediums, a good graphics tablet is essential.
Other tools that can be helpful include:
· Your favourite art supplies
· A good camera or scanner
· Adobe Photoshop, Procreate or other image editing software
· Adobe Illustrator, Affinity Designer or another vector drawing software
· A printer and paper for testing out your designs
No fancy stuff is required. Just some basic supplies like paper, pencils, and most scanners will do. And of course, don't forget the all-important graphic design software. This can feel like a bit of a splurge when you are just starting out but is well worth the investment in the long run. I currently use Illustrator, Photoshop and Procreate, which, if you have an iPad, I highly recommend. In fact, I have an entire course on painting in Procreate.
The Future of Surface Pattern Design
The world of surface pattern design is always changing and evolving. As new technologies and trends emerge, so do new opportunities for designers. SPD is a dynamic industry with a strong history and a bright future. So if you're interested in surface pattern design, now is a great time to get started.
Conclusion
The world of surface pattern design is a vast and varied industry. There are thousands of different types of patterns that you can create. If you're interested in creating or designing, there are plenty of opportunities for new designers to find work and build a stellar career. The future of surface pattern design looks bright and exciting, and it's waiting for you to join in!
Thank you for reading! If you enjoyed this post, please share it with your friends. And be sure to check out my other posts on surface pattern design for more tips and information.
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