This was the fifth (!) year that I have hosted this challenge, and I wanted to make this one special! First of all, I wanted to give the prompt a little more structure and make it possible to
draw flowers for any occasion. So I divided the prompt into 5 different categories: Everyday, Spring/Easter, Summer/Tropical, Fall/Harvest, and Winter/Christmas. That way we would be able to
create patterns with a purpose for each season.
The other exciting new thing was that after years of not trusting my idea enough, I took a leap of faith and created access to the challenge on a learning platform and decided to offer 3
different options according to the needs of the artists and designers: free, starter and premium. Because over the years I have learned that many love to create for the sake of creating, while
others prefer to create with a goal in mind and build their portfolios, and I wanted to serve them so they could get the most out of this 30-day challenge.
It was a huge learning curve to set up the platform and the material, but it was also so much fun! I also learned to accept that done is better than perfect and I already have new ideas for next
year, hopefully.
I have only words of gratitude for all those who participated, shared, liked and commented on not only mine but all the beautiful entries from all the talented artists and designers who
participated! THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!
Here is a selection of participants for you to meet and finally see the face behind the pattern. Let's meet them! Don't forget to visit their IG profiles and leave some love +
support!
Janet Federico, Wichita, KS
What did you enjoy the most about the challenge?
It took me out of my comfort zone. I don't usually draw flowers and was looking for a way to add more florals to my portfolio. This helped immensely with that.
How was the challenge beneficial to you?
I added three new floral designs to my portfolio.
Tell us a little bit about your path as a Surface Pattern Designer!
It all began with a Zentangle. After being diagnosed with PTSD in 2016, I was desperately trying to find a way to practice meditation except I couldn't sit with my eyes closed without
devolving into a panic attack. One day, I was walking through Michaels and I saw an end cap full of Zentangle supplies. On impulse, I bought a bunch of pens, tiles, and a book. Even still, I
waited a while before putting pen to paper. Like most people, I thought I needed an art background to make it work. When I finally found the courage, I realized all you needed was to be able
to draw a line, a circle, or a squiggle. I was hooked. It was also the first time in my life, I could remember concentrating for any length of time and having my mind clear of everything but
the paper in front of me and the pen in my hand. I had found my own form of meditation. I had also been bitten by the art bug and began seeking out tutorials and teachers to learn how to draw
shapes and forms. I invested in an iPad and Apple Pencil. I spent a few years learning to draw and eventually released my first line of greeting cards. I spent several years just illustrating
greeting cards and prints until a year ago when I first learned about surface pattern design. Since then I've taken lots of courses and am working to build my portfolio. As of right now, I
have sixteen mini collections that I'm pretty proud of.
What did you enjoy the most about the challenge?
I really enjoyed seeing the many interpretations of the same flower. Whether as a pattern or an illustration, it was very contagious to get the best out of it. Along the way, I got a
lot of painting practice on the subject of flowers.
How was the challenge beneficial to you?
I have met many creatives whose art style I appreciate very much. And the daily exercise of shooting reels.
Tell us a little bit about your path as a Surface Pattern Designer!
2022 I have finally allowed my creativity to take over my life. Now I am in the process of building my own small business. I love to make others shine with my designs and look forward to what
is to come.
Lauren Faye Peachey, Cheltenham, UK
What did you enjoy the most about the challenge?
The encouragement to try drawing flowers I wouldn’t have otherwise drawn.
How was the challenge beneficial to you?
The challenge was beneficial to me in so many ways. It helped me go beyond my comfort zone to draw different flowers, I so often just draw the same flowers. I also particularly liked
how combining multiple flowers in one design got me to think more creatively about how to combine flowers and which ones work well together. Another added bonus is that I now have
some Christmas patterns - which my portfolio was lacking before. Of course, florals are a big seller so having all the floral art to add to my portfolio is a massive benefit.
Tell us a little bit about your path as a Surface Pattern Designer!
I began drawing and making repeating patterns on the first iPad Air and a super clunky stylus, as a hobby, whilst backpacking Southeast Asia with my partner about 5 years ago. I took courses
online and slowly developed my skills over the years and in Spring this year I was able to leave my day job and focus on art full time.
Kelly Miller, San Anselmo, CA
What did you enjoy the most about the challenge?
The variety of prompts and the extra materials in the lesson.
How was the challenge beneficial to you?
It motivated me to create more patterns with flowers I wouldn't normally have used in motifs. It also inspired me to try different styles and patterns that I've been wanting to
explore.
Tell us a little bit about your path as a Surface Pattern Designer!
I left a 20 year marketing career during covid and started exploring my creative side. I started drawing on a regular basis and began taking classes to improve my skills. I discovered surface
design through this exploration and fell in love! It allowed me to combine my love of art, nature and interior design. About 2 years ago I launched my business, Wild Azure Design, where I
create home decor and gift items inspired by nature and the local plants, animals and landscapes of Northern California. It's been an amazing journey and I still feel like I'm learning every
day, which is one of my favorite parts of the job!
What did you enjoy the most about the challenge?
This is a great way to challenge yourself! To push yourself to work with your favorite theme without too much hesitation. Getting into the flow!
How was the challenge beneficial to you?
This was my 3rd year to participate. I have got some much even from the patterns I made on the 1st year. It is good for one month to focus on just creating and then later utilize
created patterns different ways.
Tell us a little bit about your path as a Surface Pattern Designer!
I have been artistic and dreaming of different ways to create since I can remember. On summer 2021 I somehow found the true field and world of pattern design and realized I could really do it
myself! I have been learning and studying different things since then and got even my first licensing deal! I'm doing this as part time thing, but still achieving my goals!
Ivana Castellano - from Argentina, living in Zagreb, Croatia
What did you enjoy the most about the challenge?
Creating for fun and meeting talented designers who joined the challenge.
How was the challenge beneficial to you?
I had a great time trying to learn the names of the flowers and experimenting.
Tell us a little bit about your path as a Surface Pattern Designer!
I'm fortunate to have grown up around fabrics in my family's haberdashery, igniting my passion for design, colors, and shapes. I hold a degree in Graphic Design and have expanded my skills
with Textile Design classes. As a Freelance Illustrator, I'm dedicated to collaborating with sustainable businesses, particularly in fashion and paper industries. My path as a Surface Pattern
Designer blends my upbringing, education, and a strong commitment to sustainability, allowing me to pursue my creative passion while making a positive impact.
Carolina , Buenos Aires, Argentina
What did you enjoy the most about the challenge?
What I enjoyed the most was drawing every day. Having a list of prompts helped me avoid creative blocks and not seek perfection, "better done than perfect." I also enjoyed
experimenting with new ways of drawing and different pattern layouts.
How was the challenge beneficial to you?
This is the second year I've participated in the challenge, and I feel like I've improved my designs a lot. I work faster and more organized now. Additionally, I was able to explore
my personal style even more. On the other hand, I met many artists and designers who inspired me a lot when creating. I also got to know brands that showed interest in my work, and
that makes me very happy!
Tell us a little bit about your path as a Surface Pattern Designer!
I've always been a creative person, and I've always wanted my work to be creative as well. That's why I decided to study fashion and textile design. After finishing university, I started
working in textile companies, creating patterns. That's when I fell in love with the world of patterns and illustration, and I felt like I had found what I wanted to do. The only thing
missing was finding my own style. In 2019, I began designing my own patterns and selling them on microstock websites. I was terrified of people knowing who I was; I didn't want to showcase my
work, and it made me shy (haha). In 2022, I gathered the courage to open an Instagram account and share my work. I never believed that so many people would like my work. It gave me more
confidence in myself to continue growing. Today, I am very happy to share my work and learn more every day. My next goal is to be able to do this full-time and leave my regular job.
This time around, I wasn't able to prepare all the patterns in advance like in previous years. I was exhausted and burnt out for weeks in which I wasn't able to draw, so I did them on the go: a
real challenge!
A third change I decided to make this year was to do something at the end, because after the challenge people usually have lots of new patterns, but they don't really know what to do with them.
Should they upload them to P.O.D. sites? Or pitch them?
The best answer for me was to put everything I know about creating collections into a workshop. All the knowledge and experience I have gathered in the last 10 years of working in the fashion and
textile industry with companies, textile studios and as a freelancer has gone into this workshop, which I plan to update with new information from time to time.
The workshop is already available for purchase. For now, you'll be able to learn about the different types of collections, get tips and tricks on how to create them, download templates, see
examples and helpful links. The next update will be coming soon and I will show you the process of how I create collections, step by step.
Click the button below to get more information about the workshop:
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