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

Nazrin, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Are you able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen?

I began my career selling home interior fabric designs, which I used to physically make using appliqué and embroidery techniques. When one of these sold to Pottery Barn Kids in the US, I felt I wanted to focus on designing for kids’ products. I also realized that producing physical samples took too long and was not sustainable. So, I taught myself Adobe software and focused on a more juvenile style that would appeal to kids’ products.

In 2014, I traveled to NY to visit the trade-show PRINTSOURCE. It is an event where studios sell innovative print designs, and where attendees (mainly retailers) can purchase them for their products. I approached an exhibitor whose display I loved and after a pleasant informal chat, I followed up with further portfolio samples which they also loved. I signed with that exhibitor – The Brooklyn Nest Studio – and am happy to say, still work with them. Over the years, they have sold my artwork and secured commissions with some of the most well-known retailers in the US, including a licensed NASA fabric design project. I have also utilized my interior fabric design background and sold art to clients in that category, in addition to the greeting card and gift wrap industry. Thankfully, I have been able to earn a full-time living but there are quiet periods sometimes! I had to take the initial steps of getting on a plane and attending this trade-show alone without knowing anybody there, but it paid off because I was able to chat to the owners without the usual formalities of a covering letter or interview. I don’t think I could have done anything differently or sped up the process of selling artwork in this way because I had to undergo a huge learning curve of working digitally and hone new skills before I even considered putting myself out there.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I am a commercial artist and create ‘surface pattern designs’. This means the patterns and designs you would see on stationery, giftwrap, greeting cards, and tabletop products (eg all the decorations you might have on the table for Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, etc). My art is also bought for interior fabrics, bedding, nursery products and sleepwear.

I am extremely proud that I have developed an awareness and understanding of the US market. Being a designer from the UK, I am influenced by the latest European trends, but my artwork still appeals broadly to American retail clients and consumers. During my design journey, I learnt about the genre ‘Americana’ and have subsequently sold a lot of designs in this category.

I work digitally using Adobe software, but my background is Woven Textile Design. Because of my previous hands-on experience, my digital artwork contains a lot of texture and depth. This, and the fact that I adopted a multitude of styles, sets me apart from others’ artwork in the industry.

Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?

Eat That Frog! By Brian Tracy. When I first read this book, I was moving, preparing paperwork for my Artist Visa, adapting my artwork for the US design industry, learning new software, and getting ready for a new life in NYC.

I was overwhelmed with the tasks I had to finish every day, in addition to the creative projects that were coming in. This book helped me through a crazily busy period of my life and continues to help me throughout my career and personal life. Here are some of the key phrases that pop into my head whenever life gets hectic or when I start to feel snowed under: “Slice and dice the task”, “Lay the table” and “How do you eat your biggest ugliest frog? One bite at a time”.

I believe this book was first published in 2001, but the advice is timeless, and I recommend it to every busy person who needs to prioritize tasks or has a set of goals they want to achieve.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

Personally, the most rewarding aspect is ‘having to’ collect as much inspiration as I can through seeing art, travelling, and experiencing new cultures. As a freelancer, I have the advantage of taking my laptop and working from anywhere – as long as I have a steady table and good Wi-Fi of course. I spent part of the pandemic in Florence, and thus began a life of creative ‘remote working’ trips. Among other cities, I have recently spent a month each in Istanbul, Venice, and returned to Florence. There’s nothing like starting your day with a visit to the Uffizi Gallery, then sitting in a piazza with an Aperol Spritz and people watching as you work. To some, the thought of being abroad with a laptop might suck but being creative never really feels like ‘work’ to me and it’s more inspiring than sitting at the same desk in the same location every day.

Solo traveling means also means you’re more likely to talk to people that you wouldn’t normally meet. Conversations with fellow travelers and locals all add to the enriching experience which ultimately enhances one’s creativity.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.nazrinfarook.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/nazrin_design
• Linkedin: https://linkedin.com/in/nazrintextile/
• Other:
  @nazrin-design.bsky.social