When I started Pattern Observer 15 years ago, finding helpful information for designing patterns and growing a textile design business was challenging. Through Pattern Observer and the Textile Design Lab, I aimed to empower designers with the capability to craft truly professional patterns that went beyond the common set layouts and truly captivated buyers and end-use consumers.
Fast forward 15 years, and this textile design community that we love so dearly is up against a different hurdle. It’s become more difficult for designers to stand out in a crowded market, making it a struggle to showcase their work and earn revenue and causing them to ask, “What steps should I take now?”
Table of Contents:
- The Shifting Landscape of Textile Design Finding Your Place in the Textile Design Community
- Three Paths to Grow Your Textile Design Business
- Keeping Up With Trends
- Connecting With Other Designers
- Listing in Our Pattern Observer Directory
The Shifting Landscape of Textile Design
As many of you have noticed, the field of textile design has transformed significantly over the past 15 years. Fifteen years ago, the primary hurdle was mastering the craft itself.
Currently, the main challenge isn’t a lack of educational design resources. You can find fantastic courses on YouTube, Skillshare and even social media platforms such as Instagram.
The challenge comes when you are ready to define yourself as an artist, grow your business, make connections, and build momentum. Defining yourself is difficult; it takes time and effort to discover your identity and gain clarity about what you want to create and how you want to get it into the hands of others. This challenge is what inspired a serious overhaul of the Textile Design Lab community.
Three Paths to Grow Your Textile Design Business
To genuinely support the community, we understood the need to focus on various methods designers use to sell and generate income. Three specific paths emerged as significant opportunities for designers:
1. Print on Demand. Use existing online platforms, such as Printful, Spoonflower and Minted, to get your creations seen by customers. It’s a great way to earn income while gaining visibility and recognition.
2. Freelance Opportunities. We’ve created systems to increase your client base and streamline your operations. This track is for designers who want to sell or license their work without an agent or to offer services such as custom artwork and repeats.
3. Agents and Studios. Finding experts to guide you through the industry and take on the selling aspect can be crucial for many designers’ success. We created this track for designers who want to begin selling or licensing their work through an agent or studio before exploring print-on-demand or freelance opportunities.
Keeping Up With Trends
While these tracks are now the cornerstone of our community, we couldn’t ignore the fact that staying relevant in this field involves staying informed about the latest styles and patterns and staying inspired.
To address this need, we added a new Style Lab to our community, which houses design tutorials, pattern history tutorials, and a 3-month program called the Style Amplifier, where designers explore trends and popular colors and create eye-catching pattern collections. All of these resources are a part of your membership. Members find inspiration in these resources, which keeps their designs feeling modern and relevant; think of it as a constant creative boost.
Connecting With Other Designers
A supportive community of fellow designers and allies is invaluable in this profession. In our community spaces, you’ll interact with others who have encountered similar obstacles, found solutions and created best practices for future use. Imagine the combined power of multiple minds working together. That’s the magic of collaboration and community, powerful forces for generating truly exceptional ideas.
Listing in Our Pattern Observer Directory
An additional perk for our Textile Design Lab members is a complimentary listing in the new Pattern Observer Directory. This feature makes our designers more visible and is another way that we support our members as they gain and grow their visibility. A listing normally costs $99 a month, but it’s free for members.
Conclusion
Over the last 15 years, Pattern Observer has continually adapted, driven by the identified needs of the textile design industry. With our newly revamped career tracks, exclusive challenges, and expert feedback, TDL is your roadmap to success—and now is the best time to join before our annual membership increases on March 1st.
Join today and start your 12-month journey to growing your business and increasing visibility.
