PLAY - University of Leeds Design Show 2013

We recently visited the University of Leeds Design Graduate Degree Show, entitled 'PLAY' & the amount of talent within the BA(Hons) Textile Design & BA (Hons) Graphic & Communication Design groups was so impressive! It was a wonderful show, showcasing the up & coming talent of the design industry & as Rachael & myself are former students it was great to have a catch up!
It was great to see the amount of strong pattern work coming through which is especially relevant to our e-course we are currently running, so much unique & commercial potential!
Below are a selection of images from the show and I hope you enjoy them as much as we did! 
Kelly :)

Laura Jeffreys

Catherine McCole

Chloe Kerr

Paisley Lewis

Sophia Precious

Natasha Brown

Rebecca Clapham

Sasha Plummer

Jessica Googe

Natasha Purnell

Alice France

Charlotte Langstroth

Amy Nicholls

Jessica Kennedy

Bobbi-Rae Gastall

Abigail Sims

Nathalie Ward

Marie Stenton

Bianca Sinclair

Geneva Stanton

Verity Wheatley

Michael Greenhalgh

Adam Knights

Victoria White

Module 3 Graduate Showcase - Part 1

We are so proud to share the gorgeous work of some of our talented pattern course graduates. All the work shown here has come from participants of Module 3: Monetising your designs. If you want to learn about freelancing, licensing, selling outright, manufacturing, working with an agent and more, Module 3 is for you. It also includes free access to leading trend forecasting site Stylesight for a limited period AND our little black book of industry contacts! 

"The most wonderful thing about this course would have to be Rachel and Beth's willingness to share such a vast amount of information about this industry. A close second is the amazing community that surronds this class and their support means the world to me as I begin my new career path." Abby Zweifel (Pomelo & Pomelo)

"The most powerful element of this course has been having an inspiring young designer teaching it! Rachael has allowed me to see that it is possible to start your own label young and to not be afraid to leap in, experiment and learn along the way. Its great to hear advice straight from the source and having the opportunity to ask questions, rather than from static books all the time" Jazmine Bradley

"The ABSPD course has changed my life… First off, it's helped me find my way when it comes to my personal style, and has helped me to understand how important it is to be ME in my work. But It's also equipped me with what I need to run a business. When I began the course, I was a little lost and unsure -- and now I feel like I have a clear direction for my future as a Surface Designer, and the confidence to make it happen! Huge thanks to Rachael and Beth!!" Elizabeth Olwen

'This course has given me all the inspiration, business know-how, and instruments to turn my illustrations (handmade with cloth and paper) into digital product designs. Happy me!' Dieuwertje van de Moosdijk

"The most powerful element of this course for me has been Rachael's constant enthusiasm for the design process and her love of design. Her encouragement to get away from the computer and back to drawing and designing organically has freed me to be more creative than I have been able to be for such a long time." Sarah Paris Style

“This course was a real eye opener to all the possibilities in the world of surface and pattern design. I learned that while my style does not apply to all, it’s about finding your niche and going for it.” Leska Hamaty

"This course has provided me with the confidence to just go for it, and turn what I love to do, in to something real. The business elements of the course are priceless and worth every penny invested in to the course." Jennie Whitham

"The most powerful element of the course for me has been the guidance Rachael has provided in finding our individual, signature styles. This has really helped me to re-discover the key elements of my style and to develop them further." Gwenyth Macnamara

"The most important element that this course has provided me is confidence and self belief! I needed to believe that i CAN 'do what i love for life' and thanks to this wonderful course helping me along the way, i have gone from strength to strength in setting up my own design studio Hole & Corner. This is the beginning.. i'll take what i have learned from Modules 2&3, inject all of ME and continue to create my designs to share with the world ;)" Sarah Nickson

"The most powerful elements of the course is the Bonus Technical workshops and the lessons on design. Having this expert knowledge from Rachael and Beth has helped me as a designer" Tiffany Designs

"The wealth of information and inspiration shared by Rachael and Beth has been invaluable. Along with the amazing community that has been created with fellow designers, the course has inspired me and provided me with a solid base of knowledge from which to build upon. I'm very excited about what the future may hold." Zoe Attwell

"The most powerful part of the course was the openness of Rachael who willingly gave us her secrets on how she became successful as a designer. Her knowledge proved invaluable." Pauline "Muffin" Grayson

"As a surface pattern designer with no formal training the course has given me a creative push as well as industry information that it would have taken years to learn alone." Cara Holland

"The course powerfully upgraded my technical skills and increased my creative confidence." kirsten Miller

"Overall the ABSPD course has been an invaluable resource and if possible I have learnt more about the design industry than I did at Uni! But one of the best things about the course has been 'meeting' and learning with other like minded people all across the globe, everyone is so supportive to each other and I'm sure we will all stay in touch long after the course." Rebecca Greenwood (Littletree Designs)

"The business part of this course was so valuable! It has given me the confidence to reach for my dream and start my own brand." Emma Hawman

Module 2 has started but if you are quick you have until Thursday the 24th to squeeze in. Find out more and register here!

Module 1 October Showcase - Part 4

Today we have the final part of our Module 1 October Showcase, & what a showcase it has been! We are always so proud of what are students create throughout the e-course & you can see for yourselves all of their achievements on our 'Alumni Success' page! We have asked each student to write a sentence or two about what has been powerful about the course & how it has helped them develop as a designer, so you can read about it in their own words! We hope you enjoyed this Module 1 showcase as much as we have! Look out for the Module 3 Graduate Showcase coming soon!

Cute umbrellas in 'Lovely Weather For It' by Jessica Wilde

"There's so much this course has helped me within the space of 5 weeks, although I have a full time design job it's been liberating designing for myself and finding my own direction and style. Really looking foward to developing this further in the next modules!"

Bold typography in 'Letter A' by Amy Watson

"This first module has been so inspiring and has allowed me to rediscover everything I love about design. From starting with basic ideas and sketches, I’ve really enjoyed seeing how my designs can evolve and I now feel I’ve started to find my unique style that I can’t wait to continue developing."

Layered 'Wavy Mesh' by Mi Jung Lee

"This class helped me to be more free with my work and to explore and enjoy the process of creating in vibrant and fun ways. I underscore the fact that education will allow you freedom so it's really worth it!"

Colourful 'Floral Samsara' by Esme Rose Sharples (Blackbirdie)

"The most helpful and inspirational part of the course for me, was learning to draw by hand again, as I had become so used to drawing on the computer. I have learned so much and feel the potential is endless, and now I dream in pattern and print!"

'Linear Rounds in Fig' by Jennifer McCabe

"I feel the most powerful element of the course for me was Rachael's ability to take me back to my artistic roots and remind me how fun and freeing it can be just to make marks from all the inspiration around me. This class was such a confidence booster in being able to take those marks and create an eye pleasing pattern without over thinking the process. Thank you!"

Pink & green 'Flower Pops' by Kris Liew

"One thing I learnt through this course is, just like what the course has emphasized on, to do something that I love. I believe that if I designed things I truly love, I will find my own design style and experience real joy within me."

Character illustration in 'Girl' by Maria Torset

"This course has opened my eyes again. Now I see more of what's around me, trying out new materials and experimenting more."

'Midnight Flowers' by Nicola Jones (Gooseberrymoon)

Tropical 'Parakeets Rock!' by Lisa Todd

"I have really enjoyed the interaction with students from all over the world; the course is a powerful forum for introducing creative spirits. I have derived huge benefits from the technical aspects of the course work and have learnt to manipulate my drawn work with the computer to open up a world of new design opportunities."

Not long to go until we run Module 1: Designing Your Way for the final time this year on November 12th. It won't run again until APRIL 2013 so if you want to get into surface pattern design NOW IS THE TIME! Find out more and register here: http://www.dowhatyouloveforlife.com/pattern

Module 2: Creating Your Professional Identity began November 5th but you can still join if you are quick! It runs again 20th January 2013! You can also sign up for Module 3: Monetising Your Designs running next year (2013) on January 14th & April 29th!

Also brought to you from the e-course is the fantastic, brand new, FREE, online magazine 'MOYO', the worlds first online magazine dedicated to the wonderful world of surface pattern design!