Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Amanda Corcoran. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Amanda, thanks for joining us today. How did you learn to do what you do? Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process? What skills do you think were most essential? What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?

I’ve always loved Art, anything involving design. I have a degree in programming and worked as a High School teacher for 10 years, where I taught web design, among other computer technologies, before taking time to raise a family. I always knew I wanted a career in design. So when I got a new iPad Pro for Christmas 2018, I started working on making Art my career.

I started taking as many courses as possible and working on finding my “art style.” It was through Skillshare classes that I first learned about surface pattern design, and I instantly knew that was what I wanted to do. With hard work and lots of encouragement from others in the online community, here I am now, pursuing my dream career!

If I had known then what I know now, I could have saved myself a lot of time and energy. There are so many things I wish I had known when I was starting out as an artist. Here are just a few:

1. It’s okay to make mistakes. In fact, it’s necessary. Making mistakes is how we learn and grow.

2. Comparing ourselves to other artists is a recipe for disaster. We are all on our own unique journey.

3. Becoming successful takes time, patience, and hard work. There are no shortcuts.

4. It’s okay to ask for help. No one expects us to know everything.

5. There is no such thing as “perfect.” Embrace your imperfections, they make you who you are.

If you’re thinking about becoming a surface pattern designer, some skills will be essential to your success. First and foremost, you’ll need to be able to understand your audience. You can’t please everyone, so it’s essential to find your niche and focus on the type of customer that you connect with. Additionally, having a solid understanding of art and design principles will be vital in creating beautiful and cohesive patterns. Finally, being able to use technology to your advantage will help you streamline your workflow and get your patterns out into the world. With these skills in your toolkit, you’ll be well on your way to a successful career in surface pattern design.

When I first started as a surface pattern designer, the biggest obstacle was definitely myself. I always doubted my abilities and thought that I wasn’t good enough. But I realized that if I had never tried, I would never know. So I took some free courses on YouTube, followed some fantastic artists and surface pattern designers on Instagram, and signed up for newsletters to get tips and tricks from the pros. And you know what? Now I am one of those surface pattern designer pros who help other new designers find their footing and learn the skill! I have learned so much, and I LOVE teaching other artists what I know and helping them to gain that confidence that they can do it too! So if you’re feeling stuck or like you’re not good enough, remember that everyone starts somewhere. And with a little bit of hard work and determination, you can achieve anything you set your mind to!
Knowing all of this now, I can see that the biggest mistake I made was not believing in myself. I let my fears and doubts hold me back for far too long. If I could go back and tell my younger self anything, it would be to believe in yourself, no matter what. You are capable of great things. Just keep going, and never give up on your dreams.

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

Hi! I’m a surface pattern designer from Virginia. I’ve been designing patterns for everything from fabric, sun hats, candles, and clothing, to baby swaddles and reusable diapers for about 4 years now. My goal is to publish 3 surface pattern design courses by 2023. In these courses, I’ll teach my students how to save time and streamline their pattern-making process – using the unique and time-saving method that I’ve developed over the past 4 years. This new path in my career as an artist is something that I’m really excited about!

What I think sets me apart from other artists is that my background is in programming. I have a “techie” brain that allows me to look at art from a different perspective. I look at the technical side of pattern making, and because of this have been able to utilize unique ways in Procreate, Photoshop, and Illustrator to streamline my pattern making process that is unique to me. I am excited to share these unique processes with other surface pattern designers in 2023.

What I am the proudest of is my commitment to pursuing my dreams. There is nothing like walking into a TJMaxx or Nordstrom Rack and seeing your designs on the shelf. There is something very fulfilling and validating about knowing that all of your hard work (and even failures) have led you to success.

I encourage everyone to chase their dreams, no matter how big or small. It’s so important to do what makes you happy and to never give up on yourself. Pursuing your dreams takes courage and dedication, but it is so worth it in the end. Trust me, I know from experience!

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

Early in my career, when I was still figuring out my “style” and who my ideal customer was. I decided to send my portfolio out to an art agent for feedback. I have always loved constructive criticism, but when you don’t go outside of your “circle,” you can get a false sense of how good you are – think of bad singers trying out for singing competitions who have always been told they are great. I knew I had the skills, but I didn’t realize that I wasn’t unique – at least not yet. I was allowing public influence to dictate what my art looked like. For example, if unicorns were popular, then I drew unicorns. I wasn’t drawing for me, I was drawing for everyone else and artificial social media “friends.” When this art agent told me that I wasn’t unique, it was a massive blow at first. But in hindsight, it was exactly what I needed to hear. Because of that comment, I picked myself up off the floor (after feeling sorry for myself) and decided that she was right. I started drawing what I LOVED, in a style that was my own and not a copy of something I saw in a big box store. Then, my social media presence grew, my confidence grew, and I started getting licensing clients.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

It is always possible to start pursuing your dream. I am living proof of that. I started my journey into surface pattern design in my 40s. If I can do it, anyone can.

I want to help other artists pursue their dream by sharing my journey and providing resources. I am working hard to share tips and tricks, create courses, and help anyone have access to comprehensive classes on how to pursue a career in surface pattern design, regardless of age, skill level, or financial status.

You can do it too. Never give up on your dreams. Pursue them with everything you have. And if you need help along the way, don’t hesitate to contact me. I am happy to help you on your journey.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.amandagracedesign.com
• Instagram: @amandagracedesign
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AmandaGraceDesign

Image Credits
IG: @BrigidAnnPhoto – Bio Pic Product Photos: Goldilocks Goods/Jilly Box, Audrey and Bear, Bella Babes Co., Deanna Mackin, Millie Loves Lily, Home Dry Goods.