Kickstarting Your Career in Surface Design

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? 

The rising popularity of Surface Design Careers

I mean, I totally get it! Surface Design has been the avenue that has allowed me to pull all of my creative interests into one – mostly – focused career path. But just as easily as all that came together for me (more on that, soon!), I see how in this social media era having so many options can feel paralyzing to someone just trying to get started or pivoting from another creative career path.

The thrill is real. But I know from personal experience that it can also feel overwhelming at times.

Common beginner questions and time management challenges

On a daily basis, I see so many people who are just starting out, struggle with questions like…

"Do I have to create all of my work in Illustrator?

“What exactly do I put in my portfolio?”

“Do I need to have a signature style?" 

“What market is the right place for my work?”

“Should I pursue licensing or sell my own products?”  

All of the questions can make your head spin around more than a merry-go-round. Not to mention, trying to find the time and balance between doing #allthethings at the same time… i.e. creating new designs, posting everything on social media, trying to find the right opportunities for your work and talents… 

Navigating the Challenges of a Surface Design Career

I get it… there are A LOT of questions and taking the time to figure all of them out is an important part of navigating your personal career path but, sometimes we seek answers we're not ready for yet. And sometimes, our pursuit of perfection prevents us from finding them. 

In this diverse design landscape, it’s important to remember, that there's no one-size-fits-all approach (and if someone tells you otherwise, RUN in the opposite direction!). I often see people getting so caught up in all of the things and trying to work through so many decisions that they forget about the importance of the foundation of their Surface Design Career – the artwork! 

So before we get too in the weeds, let's take a breath and hit the pause button on the frenzy so we can get back to the basics of that artwork…

Beyond everything else, your work is the cornerstone of your Surface Design Identity! Trust me – building a portfolio that is identifiable to 'you' takes more than an overnight brainstorm and quickly throwing a few patterns together.

Finding your unique path in Surface Design

Now, why listen to me? Well, imagine me as your art & design navigator with two decades of adventures in several different areas of this industry. Think of me as your guide through the vibrant jungle of creativity, where every turn reveals new, exciting possibilities.  This blog isn't about cookie-cutter solutions. It's about paving your own path, dodging misinformation, and using your skills like a superhero.

I’ve encountered a diverse array of people who have jumped into their Surface Design Career headstrong for success after taking ONE class and were quickly disappointed and frustrated that everything they had just learned didn’t fit the path they wanted to pursue.

That’s why colleges offer a variety of classes for a reason: to give you multiple perspectives and the time to truly explore, experiment, and understand this vast, colorful industry.

The answers will come together over time, I promise. 

My personal journey to discovering Surface Design

Believe it or not, I didn’t always know that Surface Design was the right career for me or that it even existed either. I started off on my path to Art School bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, with a love of doing hyper-realistic drawings and a keen eye for detail, thinking I wanted to be an Animator for Disney. This dream was fueled by my childhood love for Disney movies and because, back then, it was one of the few creative careers I knew about. 

So what directed my path to surface design?

I can promise you the path was NOT linear. In my first year at RISD, I began exploring different media in my classes – from charcoal & ink in Drawing, to painting & collage in 2D, to sculpture & architecture in 3D, which really helped me embrace my true multi-passionate nature. Choosing Illustration as my major further allowed me to dabble in various mediums. I soon realized that character illustration wasn't my forte, but I excelled in creative problem-solving, layout, color theory, and digital tools.

An unexpected project – creating a stuffed animal sewing pattern – led me to an internship in the Technical Design Department at New York and Company. This experience really opened my eyes to surface design's practical aspects and helped set a new career trajectory. Walking past the color and trend director’s office became the highlight of my day, sparking a deeper interest in SPD.

Surface Design continued popping up in my life and after a couple of years working as an Art Director in Children’s book publishing, I went back to school to learn the technical side of the industry. What may have felt like random experiences at the time ultimately helped prepare me for everything from working with engineered products in fashion & accessories to embracing and incorporating my love of photography into my work – I was even lucky enough to have two photographs licensed to Pottery Barn Teen and Kids!

The common denominator between all the things? Listening to those little nudges from the universe, and from the people around me. By listening to feedback from teachers, supervisors/mentors, and peers, I was able to really lean into my strengths.

Now, I want you to start by asking yourself, ‘What skills do I get complimented on by others?’

Do you have beautiful handwriting, a sharp wit, and the ability to share the perfect sentiment for every occasion? Maybe hand lettering for greeting cards is something to pursue…. 

Do you draw super cute characters and tell a great story? Perhaps Children’s book illustration is right up your alley…

Do you love variety and have a knack for painting everything from beautiful florals to intricate paisleys and beyond? Surface Pattern Design for the Apparel Market might be the right fit for you…

There are truly so many opportunities if you are attuned to finding the right pairing. 

Remember, creative career paths are seldom a straight line. Especially compared to "traditional" career paths like becoming a dentist or an accountant. 

Whether you're a jack-of-all-trades or a master of one, we all have something special that we bring to the table as our personal superpower! You just have to give yourself some time to figure out what it is…

My advice is to embrace your passions! Bring your talents to the market with the concept of making better quality art always at the forefront. To rise above the sea of mediocrity, particularly in print-on-demand spaces, focus on enhancing the quality of your art. Creating work that turns heads means balancing progress with discovery, not getting bogged down by the quest for perfection.

Once you have picked a market focus based on your skills and interests, the next step is creating a portfolio filled with highly marketable and saleable work. And, this doesn’t come together by sitting at home and just creating whatever your heart desires. 

It's essential to be self-critical and to absorb and process feedback from the right sources. This process helps you evolve and adapt your art to different markets. Research is crucial – study market trends, analyze layouts and motifs, and understand the nuances of your chosen niche. Test your designs, refine your skills, and always be open to learning.

Remember, your journey is unique, so let's keep it real and adaptable. Set goals, but be ready to pivot. Did you miss a personal deadline? Try not to sweat it – I KNOW, it’s hard finding time to do it all, because I’m on the same journey here – but every stumble is a step in your dance of growth.

Still struggling to figure out your place or looking for advice on your portfolio?

Sometimes you just need an outside perspective or a more experienced guide to lead you on your way 🙋🏻‍♀️DM me and let’s chat. Here's to turning our creative sparks into blazing trails! Let's make our artistic dreams a vivid reality. Cheers to our journey!

For more surface design resources, be sure to check out:

Looking for more validation that there’s not just 1 way to have a career in Surface Design, Here are a few recordings from my Pattern Chatter discussions on Clubhouse…

Pattern Chatter -  Inspire your Design: Diverse Processes in Surface Design 1

Pattern Chatter -  Inspire your Design: Diverse Processes in Surface Design 2

Pattern Chatter - Inspire your Design: Diverse Processes in Surface Design 3