I've been gone a long time since my last post so I thought I'd just update you on what I've been up to since Christmas. Two weeks ago I started back on Module 2 of The Art and Business of Surface Pattern Design. This has kept me pretty darn busy but it's definitely been worth the energy. I'm still learning the art of using Adobe illustrator and still trying to find my style. One exercise I particularly enjoyed is putting together a design for a dinner service and displaying it on a mock up image below. Another exercise we've been putting together is a collection of surface patterns and how to design coordinating pieces as you can see below. This is something I need to spend more time on because I have a lot of designs which could do well in collections. We've also been working on designs with colour palettes that have been forecast for Spring/Summer 2016 and thinking about how we can incorporate them in our designs. And below is the source of my inspiration.
Since finishing Module 1 of the Art and Business of Surface Pattern Design I've been keeping myself busy with this years #Advent Challenge2014 run by Faye Brown Design. With all the Christmas preparations I've missed a few and had to put three-in-one but I've participated which is the main thing. Check out some of the other amazing advent challenges here there are some truly awesome designs that can't be missed.
Well, five weeks have flown by and here I am at the end of Module 1 of ABSPD course. In my last post I explained that I´ve been studying surface pattern design over at 'Make it in Design' and now I finally have time to blog about my experience....we had lots to keep us busy! In five weeks we covered a lot of ground; mark making, deconstructing patterns, mood boards, loosening up and finding our style and many more. On top of that we had 'bonus technical workshops' in Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop. These technical workshops were invaluable, they really helped me put ideas I had in my head into a digital image and play around with it in a way I could never do on paper alone...yay! Unbelievably, my favourite exercise would have to be developing a character. This took me completely out of my comfort zone. Meet my little Alpacas... Classy Claude and Christmas Claude. Appropriately named by a fellow student on the course. I also did some grown up designs :-) I now have the Christmas break to go over everything we covered and try to find my style because as you can see it´s very random at the moment. In the new year I start Module 2 and I can´t wait.
So my first week of the 'Art and Business of Surface Pattern Design' course has passed so quickly. I´m studying Module 1 which is basically a beginners course; introducing us to pattern, how to find inspiration for our designs and finally putting it all together as a finished piece, professionally and ready for print. What I love about this course so far is how we can be in touch through Facebook with fellow students and how everyone is so supportive and enthusiastic. Also, it´s great that the tutors check in from time to time and add comments and give encouragement. This first week brought us a valuable insight into Abigail Borg´s working life as a surface pattern designer and of course Rachael Taylor´s behind the scenes interview too. Personally, it´s been great to just get back into drawing and hopefully start developing my own style. Below are a few drawings that I´ve been working on this week and developing motifs. Now I need to start playing around with them in Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop. Fellow studentsRoberta Warshaw, Jan Olive and Sasha Smith have also blogged about their first week. Go check them out.
How beautiful is my garden today? Yesterday we had such heavy rain that it´s made the plants come alive. I couldn´t resist taking some photos and sharing.
I've just signed up for modules 1, 2 and 3 of 'The Art and Business of Surface Pattern Design' over at Make It In Design . To say I'm excited is an understatement! Hopefully, if I have time between the course I'd like to write about my experiences on the course and show some of my work...when I have the courage.
I'm keeping my first post short because now I'm committed to the course there's the small task of learning a little bit about Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator to help me with my designs...oh joy! |
About MeHello! I'm Zara a freelance surface designer based in Marbella, Spain. I create surface pattern designs for licensing purposes worldwide. Thanks for stopping by and feel free to connect with me on my other social sites too. My PinterestSurface Pattern Design SchoolMoyo MagazineArchives
May 2015
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