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!

Dream Large!

Happy Monday!

We hope you are dreaming large today & feeling motivated!

Rachael & Kelly :)

The year that changed me & one inspiring lady!

Hi everyone this is a special little one off post, I've been so busy (CRAZY busy) over the last six months or so, I've now found time to reflect & slow down (well only a little...). Since flying solo in 2008 my life has been one exciting roller coaster, there have been been many sacrifices, highs & lows & mistakes... but I've loved every minute. I've always been ambitious & a bit of a workaholic! I'm fortunate to be doing what I love & this is something that I will never take for granted.

So in the last year my business really has gone above & beyond my expectations, not only only has my studio grown, my licensing is really booming & I have begun to write! Yes write! (with thanks to Beth's wonderful editing!) You may remember me blogging about the AMAZING 'Do What You Love' retreat last year. The retreat & one very inspiring lady called Beth Nicholls has really made an impact on my life & changed it for the better!

I've always been a little spontaneous, a risk taker & little crazy (some might say) but meeting Beth really has opened up a whole new world for me both professionally & personally. For those of you who follow the blog will know I collaborated with Beth to set up and launch a brand new e-course called 'The Art & Business of Surface Pattern Design'. The course has gone from strength to strength & so many wonderful new doors have opened for me. I've always aimed high, gone for things, followed my dreams & trusted my instincts but just working with Beth has really rubbed off on me. She's kind of turned my world upside down... in a very good way! I now have more courage to raise the bar with my business and plan BIG! EXCITING! She has also given me the travel bug! I want to explore & see the world a little more, who knows I may get to meet all of my wonderful e-course students one day?

Beth found me by simply buying a piece of my art in a local gallery, I've always believed in fate & that things happen for a reason... I know to trust myself, my instincts & learn from others. It's important to surround yourself with like minded people who believe in your dreams & bring out the best in you.

I'm also lucky enough to have the most lovely supportive friends & family along with an amazing supportive professional network. I'm forever grateful, I really wouldn't be here if it wasn't for their encouragement!

Sorry for the deep post, a lot has happened in a year... My studio has also just celebrated it's fourth year in business! I love the unknown & not knowing what is going to happen next.

Beth runs her own inspiring e-course & you can listen to a wonderful interview with Beth & Monica Lee online here. I hope this post has inspired you to take a risk, you never know where it will take you!

The lovely Beth Nicholls of Do What You Love

(image credit Tiffany Kirchner Dixon)

Inspiring image taken from Pinterest

The lovely retreat! It was exactly a year ago, can you believe it?

Image credit (above & below) Navyblur

A few images from my solo charity sky dive, it was only just over a year ago!

 An inspiring image recently taken in Barcelona!

A BIG THANK YOU to everyone who follows & supports my work too, I wouldn't be here without you!