The Little White Book of Surface Pattern Designers

A while back I did mention that our EFUTO envelopes would all be finishing in a new free resource, an on-line directory. The Little White Book of Surface Pattern Designers is the only virtual directory dedicated solely to Surface Design. Almost 80 designers feature in this first edition. It provides a great tool for agents, journalists, bloggers and manufacturers that are looking for new creative talent in this particular field.

A massive thank you goes to Gill Eggleston of Pattern Addict whose idea it was in the first place and who has worked so hard since October organising the whole thing. The directory has only been public for a week or so but is already enjoying great success. Needless to say I am happy to be part of it. You can find me (and my envelope) on page 47, go take a look! Also for easy and quick future consultation just click on the button top right.

Be free, fly high... dream a little too!

Hello and welcome to Nice and Fancy. You are in the middle of the great New Year's Let's fly! - Bloghop where over 50 surface pattern designers are showcasing their work. We hope you will find the whole thing fun and inspiring. After visiting Nicky Ovitt's lovely blog in California, U.S.A. I hope you will now enjoy my post.

My name is Dawn Clarkson and I am a graphic designer 'turned' surface pattern designer. With more than 20 years of design experience I am now pursuing my dream of becoming a full-time surface designer. 
My style can be considered bold and audace, I experiment with different techniques and materials, and use both hand drawn and computer styles. Often inspired by nature my patterns are colourful and generally contain complicated repeats.
I have designed three patterns especially for the Let's fly! - Bloghop. The theme 'Let's fly!' inspired me to think of KITES, the freedom they represent and the bright and happy atmosphere they evoke. I have created two seamless patterns and a placement print complete with a few inspirational words 'Be free, fly high', which could be used as a greetings card. My colour palette is governed by Pantone's colour of the year Emerald -  Pantone17-5641. 

Emerald Kites

Ditsy Kites

Whilst creating these designs it made me think closely about how I work and I have realised that I consider hard work and professionalism as a natural part of my work process. At this point I decided my everyday routine is missing a bit of freedom, a few dreams, the ability to fly, the hunger to achieve. I need to inject a large dose of these qualities into my work so I have decided that my motto for 2013 will be 'Be free, fly high!'

Greetings card design

I have many plans for 2013 and wish to realise as many of these goals as possible. Although I have enjoyed years of success in my graphic design career I now want to feel the satisfaction of creating patterns that will enrich the lives of the people who own them. I cannot hide the fact that I would love to see my designs on different home products and on warm and tactile fabrics.

Here's hoping I have inspired you to return and visit my blog again and maybe become a regular follower? All of my news and plans for 2013 I will share here on this blog so please make a note and come back soon. Now it is time for you to continue your journey on the great Let's fly! - Bloghop, I wish you a super day and I hope we all entertain and inspire you. We have all worked hard to complete today's achievement, it has involved a lot of teamwork. Please continue the Let's fly! - Bloghop by joining Julianne Hall of jookiku who is based in Australia.

Bloghop - Let's fly!

I am thrilled to be taking part in a super BLOGHOP from 10th  - 13th January inspired by Pantone's colour of the year EMERALD. Rosie Martinez-Dekker from Believe Creative Studios has put together almost 50 designers from all over the world who will be creating a showcase of their work under the theme of "Let's fly!" to celebrate our aim to fly as professionals in 2013.

If you are not familiar with a bloghop it works like this. The first person on the list writes a blog post and showcases exclusive work relevant to the theme and colour palette chosen, then adds a link to the next blog at the end of the post. Make sure you have a bit of time and a good cup of tea by your side because it will take some time to "hop" to the last blog. It is a great and fun way for us to promote our work and our blogs. We hope for you it will be enjoyable and inspirational. 

The bloghop begins with Pattern Addict and we will all link on from there. I am excited to be part of this event, but be patient, I am way down the list so don't give up before you find me... have a super time!

Happy New Year - Buon Anno

Hello everyone! Happy New Year, I do hope it will be a good one for all of us.

My year has started off well. One of my designs has been included in a 2013 calendar which will be availble to download free every month. The project has been organised by my good friend (and talented designer) Maria Jose Bautista V.

January 2013 designed by ©Maria Jose Bautista V

The idea being for 12 surface pattern designers to each create a month using their unique style, the only guidelines being the format and the colour palette! The result is a very different calendar full of fun designs and patterns. You can check out all the details and download the month of January on Majo's blog. On the last Monday of every month Majo will do a feature about the following designer and make the next download available. 

I am previewing a detail of the month of January which was designed by Majo and a small peek at all the other months. By the way, you will have to wait until July to download my design which features a beautiful mermaid!