Susse Linton is an Ultimate Guide to Repeats graduate and the creator of the beautiful, whimsical geos seen above! We are delighted to share her work and her UGTR experience with you leading up to next week’s UGTR group study (starting on Monday February 8th, 2016 in the Textile Design Lab!)
Susse’s inspiration for these designs came from wanting to “keep things simple and try just playing with shape, textures and colours, working with a simple repeat to begin with. I usually work with hand drawn motifs and at the time I was not very confident using the computer. So I challenged myself to work purely in Photoshop and Illustrator and see how the designs would turn out. I was also taking inspiration from the current trend for geometrics and multi coloured designs.
Taking part in the Ultimate Guide to Repeats felt like the final missing pieces to a big jigsaw puzzle that had just been completed. I have been trying for about a year to work around the computer and using it for pattern design. Two big things I managed to overcome through the course and this year was becoming more professional with my pattern designs. Getting to know how to use the tools Illustrator and Photoshop correctly and with more confidence. I have bought books, I have sat through Lynda tutorials. The course really show you the right tools for pattern design. This course has really been the “Ultimate” guide to repeats. I did find some of it challenging but I know with more practise I think I can only improve my design work. It felt good to push the boundaries and acquire some new skills.
The support from other fellow learners and the Pattern Observer team on the forum was great everyone cheering everyone on and sharing their knowledge. I am feeling more confident technically and am creating more designs. Being part of the Pattern Observer community has increased my focus, my work and my business is really starting to grow. I have now had work featured on several design blogs, my work showcased in the recent UPPERCASE Surface Pattern Guide and will be published in the new Print and Pattern book Geometrics. I am now selling my designs through the Patternbank Studio.
It is so important to keep learning and keep growing as as a designer. A year ago I would never have imagined how important it is to keep learning for your business.”
In the upcoming group study, we will share the techniques Susse has used to create these production-ready repeats, covering set layouts (as seen above), tossed layouts, free-flowing layouts and even diagonal stripes. You will learn all the skills you need to create these repeats with confidence! Knowing how to develop more professional patterns brings a sense of ease to the process, which allows your creativity to blossom. When we can quiet our inner voice that asks, “Am I doing this right?” or “What the heck does that mean?” we can focus on the fun stuff… the creative process.
You can read more about the course here and register by joining the Textile Design Lab. A one month membership is only $49 and includes access to the UGTR as well as The Sellable Sketch, monthly design challenges, guest expert training, live artwork critiques and lots more. We look forward to working with you!
