Welcome to Rebecca’s Notes (that’s me!) on Navigating your Creative Career Path in Surface Design. I'm sharing insights for you to ponder as you plan the next steps on your journey in this creative industry.

In the dynamic world of surface design, chasing the latest trends is common, but true artistic endurance lies in mastering timeless motifs that offer a stable foundation for a portfolio to remain relevant across seasons and trends. Embracing classic themes alongside current trends that align with your personal creative flair is a strategy for lasting success in design, a topic that continues in this series.

As we continue our series on evergreen themes, this time we’re delving into the heart of what it means to create with love, exploring themes of romantic love, family bonds, friendships, and the personal passions that inspire us, all in the spirit of Valentine’s Day!

When it comes to the hot topics in the world of Surface Design one of the questions I hear the most is which program should I use? While choosing between Illustrator, Photoshop, Procreate, or an array of other digital platforms, or trying to learn them all can seem like an important decision in your creative career…

I see so many surface designers constantly chasing trends, filling their portfolios with the current icon of the moment from llamas to owls (anyone else seeing axolotls everywhere lately? 🙋🏻‍♀️) While it's all good to stay up to date on the latest trends, building an enduring portfolio means focusing more on evergreen themes. These timeless subjects remain perpetually popular, offering a reliable foundation for your art that transcends fleeting fads.

As you often hear in fashion, “classic” never goes out of style. And if you’re feeling a bit burnt out from endlessly scouring for the next big thing, now’s the time to lean into some “timeless” work. After all, it can be exhausting to try and keep up with every trend that hits the market, particularly when they fizzle out before you see any real return for your hard work – especially when some trends just don’t fit your personal style.

Over the past few years, I’ve noticed a huge influx of people discovering and trying to jumpstart a career in Surface Design.

Maybe it’s because of the plethora of online classes that have popped up all over the internet (Where were all these options when I was getting started 21 years ago?!).

Or, maybe it’s because of so many people rethinking their career paths post-pandemic and looking for an option that feels creatively fulfilling and just…well...fun?