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Want to be a surface pattern designer? Here is your start
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items I've been a surface pattern designer for a decade and was a fashion designer previously. There is always something new to learn. These are the start of resources that I highly recommend for anyone looking to get into the industry or even just to lear...
Mindy has an amazing course called Shine for artists that want to learn more about surface pattern design and how to do it. From art styles, business strategies and licensing info plus a community to learn with. I highly recommend this program.
Learn from Mindy- Shine
If you already have designs and are trying to earn that living from them, this is the most incredible course out there. Erin shares so much information from marketing, trend spotlights monthly, how to use metadata on Spoonflower, how to level up and ...
Power Sellers Academy-Master Spoonflower
Spoonflower is such an amazing website for surface pattern design artists to sell their designs on fabrics, wallpapers and some home goods. You earn a commission per sale.
Spoonflower – Design & Shop Custom Fabric, Wallpaper, Home Décor
An absolutely incredible pattern design directory. Especially if you are trying to understand different design style terms. I truly recommend. Plus it makes a stunning coffee table book
The Complete Pattern Directory: 1500 Designs from All Ages and Cultures|Hardcover
Another truly gorgeous book and a history lesson about wallpaper and arsenic. It is so worth it.
Bitten By Witch Fever: Wallpaper & Arsenic in the ...
If you are a watercolor artist, this paper is one I love.
Arches® Cold-Pressed Watercolor Block
You definitely need an iPad if you want to use Procreate which I recommend learning. You do not need a pro, but you need a 13' for the screen size and also will want 1 TB in memory.
Apple iPad Air 13-inch (M2) (2024, 1st generation) Wi-Fi 1TB - Blue
A must for Procreate designing
Apple Pencil Pro
honestly, any watercolor set you like is the one you should buy. I like this one but i also love my cheap sets
Winsor & Newton™ Cotman Water Colours™ 20 Color ...
I love using acrylic sometimes as well for my pattern designs.
36 Color Acrylic Paint Value Pack by Artist's Loft ...
Adobe creative cloud is a must. Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign I use nonstop as a surface pattern designer. There are cheaper options, but they are cheaper because they don't compare.
Adobe Creative Cloud pricing and membership plans | Adobe
This is the expensive one- but so worth it if you are painting and scanning nonstop.
Epson - Perfection V850 Pro Photo Scanner - Gray
Another option for a less expensive scanner, still good.
Epson - Perfection V39 II Color Photo and Document ...
If you end up designing as much as me, you will need to dump your harddrive and have an organized external. I use google, dropbox, icloud but at the end of the day trust externals more.
LaCie Rugged USB-C 4TB Portable Hard Drive
I highly recommend Canva Pro. Absolutely NOT for designing, but for marketing images for Pinterest, Benable, Instagram etc.
Canva: Visual Suite for Everyone
You need a paper screen protector for your ipad or the apple pen is wonky AF!
XIRON 2 Pack Matte Screen Protector for iPad Air
I am obsessed with these, you can make them set up however you'd like, but they make displaying samples of fabrics or art for a new collection really easy!
VIVELDA Large Cork Board Pack of 24 - Ivory
Join my substack newsletter for more information and resources. I'll be adding Shibori video tutorials this summer you don't want to miss as well.
Dyes Happy | Kate Reuschel | Substack
Canva has a great color palette generator you can use to help with collections
Color palette generator | Canva Colors
As a designer you will need to understand color. If you don't have an art background that is ok. This color wheel has made things super easy for you!
Color wheel - color theory and calculator | Canva Colors
This a good resource article for 2025 wallpaper trends.
Wallpaper Trends for 2025
Another good article but this time for licensing trends!
Art Licensing Trends - Wild Apple
A terrific resource for upcoming trends!
TRENDS - Premiere Vision Spring/Summer 26
This is such a cool website that gives you color names from your hex codes!
Name that Color - Chirag Mehta : chir.ag
I adore these mockups!
SBGraphik - Etsy
A great article about popular fabric patterns that interior designers use!
A Guide to the 34 Most Common Fabric Patterns, According to Interior Designers
A really great color trend resource.
Color Palette Downloads for Design Professionals | Benjamin Moore
another great color resource!
176 Colour Names & Shades | Ultimate Brand Colour Bible - Be More You Branding and Marketing
A must read for anyone starting out in pattern design!
Graphic Artists Guild Handbook, 16th Edition: Pricing & Ethical Guidelines|Paperback
You don't need an expensive college art degree like I have to learn how to build your career as an artist. This book is a great read!
Art, Inc.: The Essential Guide for Building Your Career as an Artist|Paperback
Just starting out? This book is a great resource on how you can find your own artist voice.
Find Your Artistic Voice: The Essential Guide to Working Your Creative Magic|Paperback
ANother color name essential
List of colors by shade
Genna is a lovely teacher for anyone learning about art for surface pattern design she also has a wonderful InDesign portfolio class but when you are ready!
Genna Blackburn
Bardot Brush is the best for some procreate brushes!
Shop Brushes
want to learn how to use procreate. these are the best mini classes!
Procreate Tutorials (In-depth Videos and Guides) • Bardot Brush
Want to learn the basics of illustrator- this will help. She also does a pattern camp 2day 8 hour each day lessons.
Fall In Love With Illustrator Workshop
A great mini course to learn to draw in Procreate and bring into Photoshop!
Procreate to PS for Beginners