The Importance of Diversifying Your Income as a Surface Pattern Designer

I’ve been working from home for years, and while I absolutely love it, I’ve also had to figure out how to make it work for me. When I first started, I was so motivated—it felt amazing to do what I love! But as my life has changed, so have my routines, and I’ve learned a lot about what it really takes to stay inspired and productive. In this episode, I’m sharing the lessons I’ve learned about working from home, including how to structure your day around your natural rhythm, ways to stay connected when you start feeling isolated, and why taking breaks can actually boost your creativity. If you work from home (or want to), I hope this episode helps you create a routine that supports both your work and your well-being.

It's true that the surface pattern design market may seem oversaturated with many talented designers and that it could make it more difficult to sell your designs... But it's also true that more opportunities are available than ever before because of how crowded the market has become -- and in this episode of the Design and Shine podcast, I share exactly how you can find them! I share tips and strategies that will help you stand out as a professional designer no matter how much competition you encounter. Listen to this episode to find out: The pros and cons of how the surface pattern design market has changed in the time that I've been a professional designer Why I believe there are LOTS of opportunities available and that there's never been a better time to start a surface pattern design business! What it takes to stand out in the current market - and what is no longer going to cut it  Why it's important to treat your design work as a business and not a hobby if you want to succeed - and what that mindset shift looks like. Creating beautiful designs is not enough in 2025... Your designs the way that you create and run your business need to be elevated to stand out - and I'm here to show you how to do it!  Listen to the full episode to learn how to shift from a hobby designer to a thriving successful surface pattern design business owner!

Are you relying on just ONE source of income? If so, it's fair to say you're taking a risk - the past few years with all that's happened in the world have definitely taught us that! Things like: The unpredictable nature of industry trends, especially with the shift in technology and the introduction of AI Uncertainty in the world (with things like the 2020 global pandemic!)  Economic downturns and the rising cost of living So in this week's episode of Design & Shine, I explore why diversifying your income as a surface pattern designer is a good idea for creating a sustainable and thriving creative business.    I help you explore how diversifying can safeguard your business and provide greater financial stability, creative freedom, and growth opportunities - and I share some ideas on how you can do it! I cover: Why diversification reduces risk and future-proofs your design career. A variety of income streams to explore, including licensing, direct-to-consumer sales, digital products, teaching, and collaborations. How to get started with small, manageable steps toward diversifying your income right away.   Tune in for practical advice and inspiring ideas to help you build a more resilient and rewarding career in surface pattern design!

Happy New Year! In case you did not achieve your goals last year or are not feeling as confident about your ability to become successful this New Year, I've created a new Design & Shine podcast episode to help you get into a more empowered and positive mindset.  In this episode, I share my beliefs about what it REALLY takes to become a successful surface pattern designer and artist: What successful people have in common that helps them become and stay successful despite setbacks and hardship What people who fail have in common Questions to ask yourself that can help you continue working even when things go wrong in every way possible The number one trait that you need to have in order to become successful How to deal with failure, pick yourself back up from it, and keep going! (and details or exactly what I do when I fail at something!) Listen to this episode if you want to make this New Year a better year for your surface pattern design business as well as your mental health as an aspiring artist! 

If you're like many surface pattern designers I know, you may be worried about the impact of AI - will it replace us?  Is there any way to compete with it? Will we lose business because of it? You're not alone if you're worried - this is a super hot topic at the moment, so I wanted to come in this week on the Design & Shine podcast to share my views on it. I'm hoping I can reassure you with a fresh perspective on: The impact of AI on the surface pattern design industry - how will it change how designs are made and sold - or not! How we can use AI to our advantage and why I believe we should be using it. How some designers I know personally are changing how they create their artwork because of AI And the one priceless element and advantage humans have that AI will never have! If you feel worried about the impact of AI on your surface pattern design business dreams and goals, this episode is for you!

I'll be honest—pitching your surface pattern designs to companies can feel downright terrifying. I’ve been there and I know how difficult it can be to hit send on an email!  It’s intimidating to put your work out into the world and face the possibility of rejection. But every designer feels that way, and you’re not alone! In this episode of the Design & Shine podcast, I’m sharing tips and actionable steps to help you pitch your surface pattern designs with confidence. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to refine your process, I’ve got you covered. Here’s what you’ll learn: ✨ Why you shouldn’t limit your pitching to companies in your own country (think global!) ✨ Key things to consider when preparing your portfolio to make it irresistible. ✨ How to find the right companies to pitch to—because not every company is your perfect match. ✨ The importance of creating a repeatable system for pitching (and tips to build one that works). ✨ The mindset shifts you need to pitch successfully and keep going, even if you hear “no.” If you’ve been holding back from sharing your surface pattern design portfolio with the world, this episode is for you! And if you’re ready to take things a step further, don’t miss my FREE workshop: My Simple Process to Turn Your Art from a Hobby into Profit. In it, I’ll teach you the secrets to creating successful surface pattern designs and building a thriving creative business. Let’s get your work seen—and sold!

There's one thing that successful surface pattern design business owners have that unsuccessful ones who give up trying to succeed almost ALWAYS have: a 'WHY.'' In this episode of the Design & Shine podcast, I talk about why having a 'why' you choose to have a business at all is so critical to your ability to succeed. I share my personal 'why' and a habit that I have that helps me keep going despite disappointment or setbacks in my business. I also give you some critical questions to ask yourself to help you gain some clarity on your 'why' if you're not sure about what it may be!  Ready to get started on your surface pattern design business? Sign up to my FREE WORKSHOP to learn my simple process to turn your art from a hobby into a profit here! 👇 https://my.patternanddesign.com/passion-profit-org      

If you've ever wondered how to become a successfully self-employed surface pattern designer and course creator, this episode of the Design & Shine podcast is for you! I share my personal journey on how I got started as an employee to becoming a university teacher, and then on to self-employment as an online course creator.   Listen to this episode to learn: What it's like to work as a professional employee in the surface pattern design industry The advantages and disadvantages of employment and why I decided to transition to freelance designer The pros and cons of putting yourself out there when you are a freelance designer (especially when you're an introvert like me!) Tips for creating your own surface pattern design course, including how long it took to create my Pattern to Product comprehensive course key skills you'll need to develop to be successfully self-employed, including tips on business systems and email marketing! I also share how I experienced many of the same struggles that you might be experiencing if you are aiming to become self-employed, from trying to figure out what I liked to do to knowing where and how to get started!  Don't miss this episode if you dream of becoming a professional surface pattern designer and course creator as I have!  

If you're struggling to make your color palettes work, this episode is for YOU!  In this episode of the Design & Shine Podcast, I’m breaking down the BIGGEST mistakes designers make with color and sharing my top tips to help you create stunning, cohesive palettes that POP!  Listen to this episode to learn: The importance of colour in design and the primary reasons consumers are drawn to or repelled by the colours in a design. The 3 most common mistakes new designers make in creating a cohesive colour palette  How to improve your use of colour including how to experiment with tone, balance saturation, and design with the end consumer in mind I'll also share some practical exercises that you can use to improve your use of colour right away! Don't miss this episode if you're ready to uplevel your use of colour in your designs to improve your sales today!     

Last year I came very close to experiencing burnout in my surface pattern design business...  I'd got to the point where things had begun to feel too heavy, hard, and demanding. Everything seemed to be taking me further and further away from the things that mattered the most to me, from my daily art practice to time with my family.  When I started to become resentful of my business, that is when I knew I had to take a step back. And so I did - and what an amazing decision that was!  I'm excited to be back now for Season 3 of the podcast and am kicking things off by sharing what I've been experiencing over the past year. Just a few things I cover in this all-new episode are: The biggest lessons I learned over the past year, including low points and highlights Finding healthy boundaries between business and life, and what that can look like Why working 'seasonally' in business is better than a non-stop grind  Finding space for more time to do what you love most - your art! How I not only avoided burnout, I renewed the joy and MAGIC in my business! Join me for this brand-new season of the Design & Shine podcast if you want to learn how to grow and thrive in your surface pattern design business!