From Sketch to Store: My Journey into Surface Design
When I first stumbled into the world of surface design, I had no idea how quickly it would change my career trajectory in the best possible way! As someone who’d spent years in graphic design, I already knew had a knowledge about aesthetic design for brands, website, and business marketing collateral for other companies—but creating repeat patterns that could go on everything from fabric to wallpaper to home decor opened up a whole new world of possibilities. It felt like discovering an art form that blended all the things I love: drawing, color, and the thrill of seeing my work on real products.
Finding My Footing in Surface Design
My path began with scribbled ideas in a sketchbook—florals, geometric shapes, quirky doodles inspired by my kids, and abstract patterns that just felt fun. At first, it was just a creative outlet, a way to reconnect with the joy of drawing. But the more I learned about surface design, the more I realized it could be more than a hobby.
I spent time learning and even invested in a course on how to digitize my art and create seamless repeats (those fancy patterns that tile perfectly). It was a process of trial and error, late-night tutorials, and lots of “undo” buttons. But each step got me closer to turning a rough sketch into something that could be printed on an infinite variety of surfaces.
Opening My Spoonflower and Etsy Shops
Once I’d built up a small collection of patterns, I took the leap and opened my Spoonflower shop. Seeing my designs available for purchase on fabric, wallpaper, and home decor was a dream come true. Spoonflower gave me a platform to share my work with people who appreciate unique designs and want something special for their sewing or décor projects.
Around the same time, I launched my Etsy shop—another space to offer digital seamless repeats and other surface design goodies. Etsy’s supportive community of makers and creatives helped me reach a new audience, and I loved the instant feedback I got from customers around the world.
Kids’ Pajamas (and the Joy of Seeing My Art in Real Life)
One of the most exciting moments on this journey was seeing my designs featured on a line of kids’ pajamas. There’s nothing quite like watching your artwork come to life on a product that real families use and love. It felt like the ultimate validation that what started as sketches in a notebook could turn into something tangible—something that makes people smile. Here’s the thing, it was the most simple of designs — and I want to acknowledge that because I think that can give hope to someone who loves the idea of doing something like this but maybe feels they need to be AMAZING at art. You can do this too!
What’s Next?
Every day, I find new ways to expand my surface design horizons—new patterns, new color palettes, and new platforms. I continue to refine my craft and experiment with techniques that blend traditional art with digital tools. My ultimate goal is to keep evolving, keep learning, and keep turning those initial sparks of creativity into designs that brighten the world around us through more licensing deals — big or small.
My Advice for Aspiring Surface Designers
Practice, Practice, Practice: Start with simple sketches and experiment with different styles. The more you create, the more you’ll discover your own voice.
Embrace the Learning Curve: Don’t let the tech side scare you. Online tutorials, courses, and communities can help you navigate the process of turning art into patterns.
Share Your Work: Whether it’s on social media, a Spoonflower shop, or an Etsy store, putting your designs out there opens doors and sparks connections.
Celebrate Each Win: From your first repeat pattern to your first sale, recognize every milestone. They’re all part of your creative journey.
Surface design has allowed me to combine my passion for art with the satisfaction of seeing my creativity in people’s everyday lives. If you’re feeling that spark, I encourage you to follow it—because there’s nothing quite like bringing your sketches to store shelves (virtual or otherwise). Keep creating, keep dreaming, and remember: your next doodle could be the start of something big!
