We were lucky to catch up with Laurie Spugnardi recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Laurie thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. So, naming is such a challenge. How did you come up with the name of your brand?

‘Dot Loves Line’ was inspired by a short and sweet book called ‘The Dot & the Line’ by Norton Juster. A design teacher introduced me to the illustrated book many years ago. I was charmed by the story of a Line and his quest to woo the object of his affection … the Dot. The Line uses Euclidean geometry to turn himself into wonderful graphics and imagery in an attempt to impress and win the Dot’s love. How can the Dot resist? I couldn’t! Dots and lines are the building blocks of every drawing and every curve can be expressed by a mathematical equation. If math is a universal language, then the universe must be an artist! My business name, ‘Dot Loves Line’ keeps me grounded as an artist and reminds me of my connection to the universe.

Laurie, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Art has always been part of my story and I was lucky to have parents who were willing to buy me stacks of coloring books and cart me to weekly art lessons. My education was balanced with fine arts as well as applied arts, but I found myself drawn to graphic design. Discovering the ability to communicate concepts visually was like unlocking a new language! I had the opportunity to design information graphics, and product marketing materials, as well as direct a creative staff at a newspaper. I now work for myself as an illustrator and surface pattern designer offering clients original designs to add color, texture, and style to products such as wallpaper, fabric, and paper goods. My illustrations help clients express a narrative, educate, or promote concepts through original digital artwork. I still get the thrill of opening a new coloring book each time I start a new project.

Are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

Hmmm, mentors! Find people who are further along than you are on a similar journey. Befriend them, follow them on social media, subscribe to their newsletters, or sign up for their courses! If what they say resonates with you, implement their nuggets of hard-earned wisdom. You don’t have to reinvent the wheel, but it won’t roll if you don’t push it! It’s also incredibly helpful to create or find a group of like-minded artists/entrepreneurs to share ideas, accountability check-ins, and milestones.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

It feels like pivoting has become the latest exercise craze! But don’t we all pivot, all the time? Isn’t that what living a full life is all about? Change is the only constant after all. My biggest personal and professional pivot was having kids. I knew it would change my life, but I had no idea how much it would change my career path as a working artist. My salary would not support childcare so we decided that my husband would take on the primary financial support for the family. I started a freelance graphic design business but craved more creativity and fewer deadlines. While volunteering in the schools to bring more arts into the classroom, I connected with other art-minded parents. I found myself in the world of fine craft, designing, and hand painting ceramic surfaces. I offered home goods and custom tile installations through craft shows and galleries. I loved it, but the cost of shipping, logistics, and scaling up became a financial risk I was unwilling to take. Repeat pattern design was a more manageable direction: less labor, more end-product flexibility, and less inventory. So, here I am… a surface pattern designer and illustrator. I’m sure there will be other pivots in my life, but today feels pretty good.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.dotlovesline.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dotlovesline/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dotlovesline
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauriespugnardi/

Image Credits
Photos: Laurie Spugnardi