We just wrapped up Lesson Three in The Sellable Sketch Workshop, in which I encourage designers to use contrasting influences to create their collection theme. Contrast is a beautiful thing and leads to the ohhs and ahhs that as designers we all want to hear! Contrast can also be a powerful tool within a solitary pattern. The contrast within each of Laia Moret’s work is what makes it so interesting and irresistible. The dark, heavy weight of the goth-like chickens is in contract to the light, delicate feminine background pattern. The vibrant birds, with a horizontal layout, are in contrast to the background birds, which have a vertical layout and are two colors. Hmmm…contrast!

Laia Moret is the head designer behind LaMoret Surface and Pattern Design, which is based in Barcelona, Spain (aka inspiration wonderland!). Laia feelances with clients such as Ikea, Surkana or Podivm and teaches CAD at a local fashion design school. To see more of her lovely work please visit her website or online store.

Have a fabulous weekend everyone!

These magical prints come to us from today’s featured designer, Nikki Strange. Nikki recently released her new collection (which is available on a variety of products) and was kind enough to send over a few prints as well as her inspiration story.

“My current print collection is heavily inspired by nature, found patterns & textures; from the formation of birds in flight to the more oceanic, fish swimming in a blue lagoon. I love playing with colour and so for this collection I tried to create a mixture of vibrant hues & soft pastels to evoke a sense of ethereal beauty and dreaminess. Generally I tend to splash about with watercolours, inks & glitter to create a concoction of loose & sporadic drawings which I try to combine with more refined and detailed paintings. For this collection I focused mainly on colour combinations and layered up textures to create a playful range of designs. I think in future I will be working on more detailed and intricate drawings as I want to push my techniques further and ultimately surprise myself! I feel its important to constantly push myself and throw in more techniques & experimentation so that the design process is focused on discovery and new things and doesn’t become stale.”

This experimentation is obvious in her work and is what makes it so fresh and eye-catching. I hear from many designers who are struggling to find their way in this industry. I often hear exhaustion and frustration in their voices and my first recommendation is always this: get back to doing what you love. Forget blogging, entering competitions or other activities that can distract and overwhelm. Focus on the art and fall in love with the creative process once again. (Click to tweet!) Passion for this industry comes through in one’s work and I see it clear as day in Nikki’s latest collection. Passion and love for your art is what will bring momentum to your business. Yes, marketing is important, but it comes second to investing the time in exploring and expanding your creative world.

Thanks to Nikki for letting me share her work and words. You can read all about Nikki and take home some of the magic at her website. I hope your weekend is filled with creativity and fun!

- Michelle

Hello there! This has been such a fulfilling week and I am thrilled to wrap it up with today’s featured designer, Elizabeth Olwen. I fell in love with Elizabeth’s vintage look a few months ago when she was published on Julie Gibbon’s blog, Tractor Girl.  Elizabeth is a Toronto-based surface designer, who is “inspired by pastoral beauty, nature in its most playful forms, folklore, and romance.” I love, love, love Elizabeth’s use of color and have a feeling that we are going to soon see her prints all over the place! Elizabeth is currently seeking licensing opportunities and is available for commissions or freelance work. To check out more of her work and to get in touch, please visit her website. Have a great weekend everyone!

P.S. I am currently working on a HUGE revamp of the Ultimate Guide to Repeats course, which launches February 4th. To join me for this new workshop please register here. More information will be available soon!!

Happy Friday! I hope that you had a wonderful start to the New Year and that all of your goal planning and resolutions are off to a great start! Do you have a certain program or strategy to your yearly goals? Is there a resource you can share with the community? I have been working through Danielle Laporte’s Desire Map and have already seen some major shifts in the way I think about my day to day actions. I’ll be sharing more from the course as I work through the rest of the book, but so far I found it to be a fantastic way to kick off the new year!

So back to patterns! ; ) Today’s featured designer is Charley Evans, who is a recent graduate from the University of the West of England. She creates her prints by combining “her own drawings and collage with painting and photography, which are integrated in Photoshop.” I love everything about these pieces, especially the layout of the first print. Charley is currently developing printed products to sell online and is very interested in freelance work that would allow her to expand into this field. To see more of Charley’s work please visit her website, blog, or grab one of her fabulous prints for your new iphone case here.

Hello everyone and happy new year!!!! Today’s featured designer is Laura Banchik, a graphic designer from Argentina who has recently entered the world of surface design. Laura starts her design process by drawing and painting by hand and then manipulating the design in Photoshop. I think this method, along with her unique color usage, gives her work the beautiful, organic texture and movement that you see above. Laura recently moved back to Buenos Aires after spending four years in Barcelona and is currently looking for a job, either freelance or permanent. To view more of Laura’s work please visit her website.