We were lucky to catch up with Mandy Corcoran recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Mandy , thanks for joining us today. Learning the craft is often a unique journey from every creative – we’d love to hear about your journey and if knowing what you know now, you would have done anything differently to speed up the learning process.
How did I learn to do what I do?
I’m a self-taught surface pattern designer who started in my 40s, bringing my background in programming, IT, and education into the world of digital art. When I started, there wasn’t a clear roadmap for efficiently creating seamless patterns in Procreate, so I had to piece everything together through trial and error and a whole lot of experimenting.
But here’s where my tech side kicked in: I helped design my own seamless pattern tester, PatternPAL, which has now tested almost 100,000 designs, making it easier than ever to catch errors before printing. That tool has been a game-changer for not just me but thousands of other designers, saving time and frustration.
Over time, I refined my skills, developed a unique style (hello, butterflies everywhere 🦋), and started licensing my work—eventually landing on products in HomeGoods, TJMaxx, Nordstrom Rack, and more.
Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process?
If I could hop in a time machine, I’d:
Master Composition, Color, and Scale Earlier – These three things make or break a pattern, which is why I now teach them first in my Designing with Insight free email course.
Use Automation & Tech Tools from the Start. Instead of manually testing patterns (and losing hours fixing repeats), I wish I had built tools like my PatternPAL Seamless Pattern Tester and used Procreate pattern templates earlier.
Optimize My Workflow Sooner – My productivity skyrocketed when I learned to automate tasks (like using my Easyscale Photoshop script for resizing patterns instantly).
Learn SEO & POD Marketing Earlier – Knowing how to properly tag and present designs on Spoonflower & other POD platforms would have helped me generate passive income way faster.
What skills do you think were most essential?
Pattern Design Fundamentals – Seamless repeats (full-drop, half-drop, half-brick) are the backbone of successful patterns.
Tech & Automation – My ability to create my own tools gave me an efficiency edge most designers don’t have.
Procreate & Photoshop Mastery – Learning how to create & refine patterns digitally saved so much time.
Time Management & Business Strategy – Balancing homeschooling, designing, and running a business meant I had to streamline my workflow.
What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?
Information Overload – With so much info out there, it was easy to get stuck in learning mode instead of creating mode.
Tech Learning Curve – Photoshop alone was an entire mountain to climb (uh, hello—I’m now a certified Adobe expert, so I guess I made it to the summit 🏔️).
Imposter Syndrome – Starting later in life made me wonder if I was “too late” (spoiler: nope! My experience gave me a significant advantage!).
Time Constraints – Homeschooling + running a business meant I had to be ruthless about protecting my creative time.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
What I Do & Who I Help
Through my brand, Amanda Grace Design, I teach beginner and intermediate designers how to master digital tools like Procreate and Photoshop to create seamless patterns faster and smarter. I focus on the business side of design, helping artists bridge the gap between “making pretty things” and “actually selling them.”
I serve two main groups:
🎨 Aspiring Surface Designers – People who dream of seeing their art on fabric, wallpaper, and products but don’t know how to get started.
👩💻 Creative Entrepreneurs – Artists who want to use AI and tech to speed up the business side of things so they have more time to create.
Products & Services I Offer
💻 Courses & Education:
Procreate Patterns Unleashed – A course that teaches artists how to create seamless repeat patterns in Procreate using 25 custom templates (including full-drop, half-drop, and half-brick repeats).
Photoshop Patterns Unleashed – A deep dive into creating patterns in Photoshop, including automations and actions to save hours of work.
Designing with Insight (Free 5-Day Course) – Covers composition, color palettes, scale, and more to help artists create marketable patterns.
Master the ABCs of Your Art Business (Free 5-Day Course) – Helps artists define their Ideal Customer Avatar (ICA), Unique Value Proposition (UVP), and niche, setting them up for success.
🛠 Creative Tools & Resources:
PatternPAL Seamless Pattern Tester – A free tool that has helped designers test over 100,000 patterns for seamlessness before uploading them to Spoonflower or licensing them.
Easyscale Photoshop Script – An automation tool that resizes patterns for Spoonflower in seconds instead of hours.
Procreate Brush Sets & Templates – Tools designed to speed up the pattern-making process, including brushes for textures, florals, and more.
Mockups – to help show off those amazing patterns I teach you how to create!
What Problems I Solve for My Clients
🚀 I make pattern design easier and faster – A lot of beginners get stuck because they don’t understand repeats, composition, or scale. I break it all down in a way that’s simple, actionable, and fun.
🖥 I bridge the gap between art and technology – Many creatives feel intimidated by digital tools. I help them get comfortable with Procreate, Photoshop, and AI without losing their artistic style.
💡 I help artists build confidence and clarity – A lot of my students struggle with self-doubt. They wonder if their art is “good enough” or how to actually make money from it. My courses and content help them go from overwhelmed to empowered.
⌛ I save designers time – Whether it’s through AI tools, automations, or better workflows, I help creatives work smarter, not harder, so they can spend more time designing.
What Sets Me Apart
✅ I don’t just teach software—I teach strategy. My focus isn’t just “how to make a pattern.” It’s how to make a pattern that sells.
✅ I’m self-taught, so I know exactly where beginners get stuck. My approach is practical, relatable, and jargon-free.
✅ I embrace AI for business, not for replacing creativity. I teach artists how to use AI for things like writing product descriptions, organizing their workflow, and marketing their work—without losing their personal touch.
✅ I keep it real. No gatekeeping, no fluff—just honest, fun, and strategic advice that actually helps.
What I’m Most Proud Of
Helping thousands of artists gain confidence in their skills and take the first steps toward selling their art.
Building a community of designers who support and encourage each other.
Seeing my students succeed—whether that means opening a Spoonflower shop, landing their first licensing deal, or just feeling excited about designing again.
Balancing creativity with motherhood and homeschooling—I know firsthand how hard it is to carve out time for art, and I want to help other artists do the same.
What I Want People to Know About My Brand
✨ It’s never too late to start. I built this career in my 40s—if I can do it, so can you.
✨ You don’t need a fancy art degree to succeed. You just need the right tools, a solid strategy, and a bit of stubbornness.
✨ Your creativity is valuable. Whether you want to license your art or just create for fun, your designs matter.
So if you’re an artist looking to level up your pattern skills, streamline your workflow, and finally start selling your designs, welcome! You’re in the right place. 🚀
Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?
Yes—Hook Point by Brendan Kane was a total game-changer for me. As a surface pattern designer, I knew how to create beautiful patterns, but getting them seen and actually selling them was a whole different challenge.
Brendan Kane’s book opened my eyes to the fact that in today’s digital world, attention is currency. It’s not enough to just post your work and hope the right people find it—you have to craft a hook that stops the scroll and compels your audience to engage.
Here’s how Hook Point impacted my business:
🎯 I refined my messaging – Instead of just saying, “Here’s a pattern I made,” I learned to frame my work in a way that resonates with my audience. Now, my content speaks directly to the pain points and desires of aspiring pattern designers.
🚀 I optimized my social media strategy – I started applying his principles to my Instagram reels, carousels, and captions, ensuring each post had a clear hook that grabbed attention.
🛠 I improved how I market my courses & tools – I learned to position my products (like my Procreate Patterns Unleashed course and PatternPAL Tester) in a way that highlights their unique value, making them stand out in a crowded market.
If you’re a creative entrepreneur struggling to get noticed online, I can’t recommend Hook Point enough.
What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?
At first, my goal was simple: I wanted to homeschool my kids while still contributing financially. As they got older, my focus shifted—I wanted to earn enough to send them to Catholic school for high school, giving them an education that aligned with our values while still allowing me to do what I love.
Now, my mission has evolved. My husband has spent years as the breadwinner, supporting my dreams and being my biggest cheerleader. My new goal? To build my business to the point where he can retire and work with me. I want to flip the script—after years of him holding down the fort, I want him to have the freedom to step into a role that brings him joy.
It’s about more than just making money—it’s about creating a life that reflects our priorities and proving that a creative career can be both fulfilling and financially sustainable.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.amandagracedesign.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amandagracedesign/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanda-corcoran/
