a focused self-passed course
Learn the BusinesS of Surface Pattern Design
The practical side of this industry: pricing, licensing, contracts, and how to actually get your work in front of clients.
why this course exists
Talent alone doesn't build a business
You can be a genuinely talented surface pattern designer and still have no idea how to turn that into an income. The business side isn't the exciting part, but it's the part that decides whether this stays a hobby or becomes a career.
I built this course to cover exactly that, the practical, unglamorous stuff nobody really teaches you:
pricing
licensing
contracts
mindset & productivity
how to find and approach clients.
and much more
does this sound like you?
You've got the patterns, now what?
Maybe you've already got a portfolio of patterns you're proud of, but no idea how to license them.
Maybe you don't know what a fair price actually looks like, or what should be in a contract before you sign it.
Maybe you've thought about reaching out to a company but didn't know where to start, or whether you even could.
If any of that sounds familiar, this course is built for exactly that gap.
who this course is perfect for
This course is for you if...
YOU'RE AN ARTIST OR ILLUSTRATOR
Traditional or digital, with a genuine pull toward patterns
YOU'VE ALREADY GOT A PORTFOLIO
You just aren't sure how to license what's in it
You UNDERSTAND THIS TAKES WORK
Success doesn't happen overnight, and that's okay
You're OPEN TO LEARNING SOMETHING NEW
Ready to put in the time, not just looking for a shortcut
what's inside
5 Modules. Real skills
Five self-paced modules, covering the business sides of this art licensing industry.
Module 1 — your creative foundation
Building your creative career and finding your unique style.
Module 2 — getting your work out there
Discovering licensing opportunities, displaying your portfolio, getting an agent, and pitching to clients.
Module 3 — understanding your worth
Understanding pricing and licensing, plus how to create passive income through POD and digital asset websites.
Module 4 — protecting & presenting your work
Understanding copyright, mockups and presenting your work.
Module 5 — growing your business
Marketing, business tools, niche and trend research and professional development
PLUS:
PDF downloads for every lesson. Yours to keep
Lifetime access to the course material
in their words
Real Students real results
A few honest reflections from students who've been through the course, in their own words.
“
"This is an excellent course for anyone interested in pursuing surface pattern design. Mel anticipated all of my questions and more. Her delivery was concise and easy to understand. This course was exactly what I was looking for!"
— Cheryl Whitener
"Mel Armstrong's course is essential if you've just made the decision to enter the field, and if you're already in surface pattern design, it provides what you need to take you to the next level. Mel cuts through the clutter. I will continue to use this course as a reference to advance my career."
— Josette Blackburn
"I highly recommend this course if you're considering going into this field. Mel gives a great overview of surface design and lots of practical advice. The course is nicely designed and very well organised."
— Linda Warner Constantino
which course is right for you?
Business only or the whole picture
This course covers just the business side of surface pattern design. If you also want to learn how to actually create patterns, in Procreate, Photoshop, Illustrator, or Affinity, my signature course, The Art & Joy of Surface Pattern Design, includes everything in this course plus the full creative and technical side.
your teacher, coach & mentor
Hey there, I'm Mel
I'm an illustrator and surface pattern designer based in Wellington, New Zealand. My work has been licensed by companies including Cloud9 Fabrics, Hallmark, Wentworth Puzzles, and Auzou and I've illustrated more than fifteen children's books.
Before any of that, I spent years as a software engineer, freelancing and contracting to large companies, and feeling completely burnt out by it. Surface pattern design gave me a second creative career, one I get to build on my own terms.
I've spent over a decade in this industry now, and I've made most of the mistakes so you don't have to. I built this course to share what actually worked, not just the theory, so you can build a career that feels like yours too.
12+ years working as a professional surface pattern designer and illustrator
Licensed work with brands including Cloud9 Fabrics, Hallmark, Wentworth Puzzles, Indie Boho Australia, Loomwell & Phoebe Fabrics
Illustrated more than 15 published children's books with publishers such as Scholastic & Harper Collins
Skillshare Top Teacher, one of the platform's top instructor tiers
Contributing author to the Graphic Artists Guild Handbook, the industry's standard pricing and ethics reference
Join us
One Course. One simple price
You'll get lifetime access to the material, PDF downloads for every lesson, and everything covered in all five modules.
$67 USD*
* Prices shown in USD and do not include any applicable taxes (VAT, etc).
before you join
You may be asking
What tools do I need for this course?
Just yourself. This is purely about the business side of surface pattern design, no software required.
How much time do I need?
This is a self-paced course. Go through it in your own time, at your own pace.
How long do I have access to the material?
For the life of the product. All PDFs are yours to download and keep.
What if I have a question that isn't listed here?
Send me an email, [email protected], I'd love to help.
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