ABSPD / / Module 4 ‘Building your professional portfolio’ is here!

At last it is time to unveil Module 4 of The Art and Business of Surface Pattern Design: Building Your Professional Portfolio! This brand new course has been developed in response to popular demand from graduates of Module 3, but is open to anyone who has some experience in surface pattern design and wishes to concentrate on growing their body of commercially-viable work. Module 4 is an intense seven week course, which consists of five weeks of class plus two weeks of design reviews.

Module 4 will run for the first time MARCH 24 - MAY 10 2014. PLACES ARE STRICTLY LIMITED in order to allow individual design reviews for every class participant, so book your place now! Instalment plans are available - see this page for details.

Module 4 includes:

- Weekly LIVE briefs from real companies

- A series of video-based technical masterclasses to hone your professional design skills

- A series of advanced design challenges to help you grow as a designer and build a strong, sellable portfolio

- Insight into the practicalities of managing a growing design studio

- A whole host of downloadable templates

- Opportunity to put questions to Rachael Taylor

- Individual work reviews from a flourishing designer*

- Six months' extended access to class materials once class has finished

PLUS you will get six months' FREE access to the MOYO Directory, where you can create a bespoke profile, upload unlimited portfolios and attract potential clients. *Please note this course includes a review of two designs per student, when submitted in line with the guidelines given in class. The review will either be by Rachael Taylor or another flourishing designer whose opinion we trust and respect. 

This is a rare opportunity to build your commercial portfolio in a structured way, with the support and guidance to boost your confidence and make you raring to go!

Video-based technical masterclasses

This module includes a series of 10+ advanced video-based masterclasses including the following topics: 

- Character design (hand-drawn and graphic) 
- Typography (traditional and contemporary) 
- Using mixed media, textures & collage in pattern design 
- Using photography in pattern design 
- Advanced repeats 
- Advanced mockups 
PLUS You will also get access to a library of textures and media to use. Each video will be supported by a PDF transcript including step-by-step visuals. This is an advanced class and you will need to be proficient in Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator to get the most out of this module. Please note we do not offer technical guidance for any other software programmes (including free software).

This is for you if:

- You want to be stretched and challenged as a designer to create new work and expand your design comfort zone 
- You want to strengthen and build your portfolio quickly, with pieces that are commercially viable 
- You want advanced technical guidance for developing sophisticated work
- You want to learn more about putting strong collections together
- You want to work more on developing your signature style
- You want to become part of a supportive community of fellow designers
- You have graduated from Module 3 of The Art and Business of Surface Pattern Design (although this is not a pre-requisite if you already have some design experience)

PLACES ARE STRICTLY LIMITED in order to allow individual design reviews for every class participant, so book your place now! Instalment plans are available - see this page for details.

ABSPD Module 3 / / Announcing Oysterbaby Live Brief!

We are so excited to share that Module 3 of The Art and Business of Surface Pattern Design: 'Monetising your designs' features a live brief from Oysterbaby, to design patterns for their gorgeous reversible bamboo fibre baby slings!

Oysterbaby is an inspiring young company run by Kate Thorman, who will personally feed back on participants' responses to the brief. 

Module 3 also includes live briefs from other real companies - all will be revealed in class. We have a brilliant track record of course alumni being signed by the companies who provide the live briefs for class, so this is a fantastic opportunity to get your work in front of a real company (& someone may even get a deal from it!) 

What are you waiting for? There is still time to squeeze in to Module 3 here. 

And if that wasn't enough, we also have a live brief for Module 2 students!

If you are at the stage where you need to develop your brand identity, learn more about online & offline marketing, & create your professional identity, then Module 2 is for you. There is still to register for Module 2 if you hurry!

Inspiring Quotations / / ASBPD Alumni & Student Competition!

Happy Monday! Today I am sharing with you lovely testimonials from some of the students & Alumni of 'The Art and Business of Surface Pattern Design (the e-course)' as well as some of my own motivational quotes. We are also giving the ABSPD community an exciting design challenge (read below for more information).

The Challenge

We are thrilled to announce we are running a mini competition for all e-course students & Alumni! We would love for you to create your very own beautiful typography design! The winning designer will be given a free place on the e-course Module of their choice! (This includes 1, 2, 3 & the brand new Module 4). Below you can find the competition requirements:

• Create an inspirational typographic design in your own style & media (this can be hand-drawn or created with different fonts)
• The quote should include your own testimonial on how you have found a Module or the e-course as a whole, for example: “Maybe this course should come with a health warning as it is so addictive!”
• Please supply a 550 pixels, 'save for web' jpg & send to kelly@rachaeltaylordesigns.co.uk with your full name, website & social media links
• Deadline: Midnight (GMT) Thursday 7th November
• You will also need to share your design on social media. This can be on our Facebook page or tweet to @MakeitinDesign or @SurfacePatternD. Use hashtags #makeitindesign, #surfacepatternecourse or #ABSPD
• The winner will be announced on Friday along with a supporting showcase on the Make It In Design blog & on this blog

Love Rachael x

The above two images are an example of testimonials from past & current students

The above are examples for styling inspiration!

If you have ever dreamt of having your own designs on homewares, stationery, fabric or other products then HURRY & sign up for Module 2: Creating Your Professional Identity or Module 3: Monestising Your Designs, running November 11th! Register now as these modules will not be running again until Spring 2014!