We recently connected with Vanessa Bong and have shared our conversation below.

Vanessa, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with 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.

Doing what I do now was a lot of trial and error, learning from online classes, taking workshops and having a genuine interest in it. Initially, you’re not going to be able see whats in your head work out on the page. And that’s okay! It’s about being open to seeing what comes along the way. It takes time for the outcome to be realised, but the openness to play and experiment is the most important in the early stages. In order to do that, you must be okay with being bad at it at first! A book by Seth Godin, “The Practice, Shipping creative work” details how in order to be a professional,we first need to be okay with being an beginner. Looking back, the key thing that helped my growth had to be continuous practice. When I worked in my first in house textile role, even if I wasn’t making the art that I personally loved, the fact that I spent about 6 hours a day making prints made a huge difference in my growth and development as a designer.

Vanessa, 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?

I’m a textile designer and illustrator who specialises in creating sweet, beautiful and charming artwork. I provide illustration and textile design services and I am open to any commission work. I have a passion for products and believe that the everyday products that we surround ourselves with remind us of the love and beauty of the world. Currently I am growing a textile design studio with my friend Rose Mears, this is my newest venture and would love for you to follow us as we realise our dreams. (harmonyprintstudio.com)

What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?

New clients come from word of mouth mostly. People from my previous workplaces or friends of friends. The amazing things is that even the most “loose” connections can often lead to some really fun projects. It helps to be always be friendly and to speak to people about what you’re doing. Hopefully when things come up for them, you’ll be front of mind as a person they can go to.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?

I don’t know if this is something they would struggle to understand, but I know that it’s a really different path to walk that for those who are in more straightforward corporate jobs. The creative journey is not often as linear as corporate jobs can be. Often things don’t seem as clear cut and the journey has so many twists and turns. You can meet people who will lead to great opporunities in the future, and things that seemingly don’y have any benefits in the present moment, has lots of meaning in the future! You really don’t know. There is a lot of uncertainty with creative work, but it’s in the mystery that a fulfilling adventure lies!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.harmonyprintstudio.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/harmonyprintstudio/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vanessa-bong/

Image Credits

Valerie Bong
Vanessa Bong