Pre-Reflection

I am very excited for the process of actually creating the patterns. I loved the whole process in the past when I first tried textile design. From the initial sketches, to digitizing them, placing the elements, selecting a color scheme and colorizing each element, I find the whole creative process to be quite exciting and rewarding. I am also looking forward to researching and building an inspiration board for this collection. This process involved compiling a collection of photographs that inspire and convey the general feeling and colors of the body of work.

I am slightly concerned about “artist block.” Sometimes I have difficulty getting into the sketches and having the right energy to want to work on patterns. Typically, when I work I sketch or work on whatever piece I have the desire to work on at any given time. I need to work on having that desire when I need to, not just when I want to. As far as this project goes, when I have the desire to work on pattern design, I go ahead and work on it. I will take advantage of that feeling when I have it (which is not infrequent.)

After these courses and my project is completed, I hope to convey my diverse abilities and talents as an illustrator. As is natural, most of my peers (myself included) tend to have a niche talent that we stick with and focus our work on. I hope to expand myself and my portfolio to demonstrate my competency and diversity. I always love to try new things, and I would love for my portfolio of works to display that. I also want to showcase my process for learning a new skill. There will be quite a bit of research and practice necessary in order to develop the skills necessary to build this portfolio, and I would love to also depict that process in order for others to gain an understanding and appreciation for the ability to try and successfully accomplish new things.

I believe my biggest area of growth will come in the process of contacting employers and potential clients in order to monetize and place value on my designs. I’ve always had a difficult time putting my work out there, especially in the context of selling it. I’ve recently started sharing some of my paintings and selling prints and I have discovered to to be easier in some ways, and more difficult in some ways than I expected. It has been much easier than expected to simply share my work and offer to sell prints. The difficulty has been in deciding a price point for the prints. Luckily there are many recourses online that I can research the prices professional illustrators charge for their pattern design prints.

If this project doesn’t work out, I believe it will be because I give up on myself. Luckily, everything in this project depends on my own tenacity and creativity. I know that if I apply myself and don’t allow myself to be distracted or discouraged, I will be able to build this portfolio and expand my abilities as an artist and prove to myself that I can accomplish new and difficult things. There also may be some difficulties using and understanding the tools and programs necessary to accomplish this project. I will be building my patterns in Adobe illustrator, which I am relatively familiar with, but I foresee there may be some difficulties with this program and being able to do what I envision for my patterns.

If that were to be the case, I need to remember just how many resourses I have at my disposal in order to overcome these struggles. My father is a graphic designer, I can always turn to him if I have questions with the program. I also have access to Skillshare (an online recourse with hundreds of training classes on a variety of subjects, including illustrator pattern design.) Not to mention google! When I feel discouraged or experience “artist block,” I have a great support system in the illustration club where I can receive feedback and encouragement to continue forward and finish this portfolio. I know that I have all of the tools necessary in order to accomplish this project. I am very excited to move forward and begin working on it.