I love those last few weeks of the summer season. Time feels like it slows down to allow us the chance to savor the long days and warm weather. It’s also a wonderful time to reflect on everything we’ve done while also anticipating the fresh start of the second half of the year—when it’s time to get back to work and take charge of how our year wraps up.
This summer we have had a wonderful time in the Lab and in the Studio. However, I am even more excited for what’s coming in the following months.
One of the most exciting changes is that we will be extending our partnership with WGSN to include access to WGSN Insight. If you are not familiar with the platform, Insight “provides original intelligence and research on the latest consumer, marketing, retail and innovation trends.” We will be using this tool in new bimonthly marketing workshops held within our TDL community. These workshops will help to improve the connections that members are making with buyers, clients, consumers, while also helping to inform on the design process to make our members more attractive candidates for in-house design positions and internships.
Below you’ll find our schedule of events for the remainder of 2019. All events are included in a monthly or annual TDL membership. Other events, courses, and studio design opportunities will be added, as needed.
Aug 12: Collaboration Group-Study
In this course you will learn the importance of working alongside other designers, whether they be peers or clients; how to handle conflicts when they arise; and, how collaboration will enrich your design process.
Additionally, you will identify your strengths and what challenges you when working with others, and practice your new-found skills, giving you the confidence to put them into action.
Aug 26: Surface Pattern Design Mastery, including access to WGSN Fashion or Home
In Surface Pattern Design Mastery, you are going to speed up your ability to create the impact you want with your patterns so you can get them out there sooner. Plus, they’ll be better than ever, certainly as superb as your sketches, paintings, and illustrations are. You’ll be able to create patterns in minutes, instead of days by using our surface pattern design layout templates. This shows you how to instantly transform your sketches and illustrations into patterns.
Sept 2: Design opportunity for Pattern Observer Studio
Throughout the year we call on interested TDL members to create patterns for our Pattern Observer Studio. While these opportunities are usually associated with a particular print show, such as Premiere Vision or Surtex, we also put out calls for clients and other partnerships. TDL members are welcome to use these design briefs as inspiration for your own portfolio. You are not required to submit work to our studio.
Sept 23: Marketing Workshop, includes access to WGSN Insight
In this two-week workshop we’ll explore a new marketing topic pulled from WGSN’s library of reports. Designers will take actionable steps to apply lessons learned to grow their business and advance their career. Live weekly chats will be held to provide feedback, insight, and guidance through the process.
Oct 14: Sellable Sketch Group-Study, including access to WGSN Fashion or Home
By the end of this course you will thoroughly understand:
- What elements lead to a successful print collection
- The importance of staying true to your artistic style
- How to pick appropriate trends and inspiration sources for your target market
- How to develop a print from sketch to digital file in both Illustrator and Photoshop
Oct 28: Print Studio Workshop
Designers who have a professional online portfolio developed—and who are ready to work with print studios and agents—are invited to join us for this four-week journey. We meet once a week during this time and explore this process
- Researching studios in the marketplace;
- Making small updates to their website;
- Preparing marketing materials;
- And, eventually reaching out to print studios for representation
Nov 4: Marketing Workshop, including access to WGSN Insight
In this two-week workshop we’ll explore a new marketing topic pulled from WGSN’s library of reports. Designers will take actionable steps to apply lessons learned to grow their business and advance their career. Live weekly chats will be held to provide feedback, insight, and guidance through the process.
Nov: 18: Photoshop For Designers I and II
Your creative spirit does not have to be inhibited by software or the digital art world. The two can come together in an amazing collaborative effort. In this six-week course you’ll discover the most efficient and effective use of Adobe Photoshop while creating the artwork that you love to design. Those who have already taken Photoshop For Designers I are invited to take part in Photoshop For Designers II. In this course you’ll discover advanced Photoshop techniques for increasing the efficiency of your design work.
Dec 9: Planning for 2020
In this popular TDL event we’ll come together to clarify our goals for 2020 and create an action plan to hold ourselves accountable.
It’s exciting to offer you so many opportunities to grow your career. Want to join us? Save $98 with an annual membership.
