for surface pattern designers
Join the Pattern Collective
A place to learn, connect, and grow with people who actually get it.
for surface pattern designers
Join the Pattern Collective
A place to learn, connect, and grow with people who actually get it.
does this sound like you?
You don't have to figure this out Alone
Maybe you're not sure there's room for you in this industry yet.
Maybe you can draw, but the technical side of building a repeat still trips you up.
Maybe you wouldn't know where to start if you had to reach out to a potential client tomorrow.
Maybe you just feel a little lost, and what you actually need isn't another tutorial, it's people who understand what you're building.
If any of that sounds familiar, you're in the right place.
what's inside
Everything you need to keep going
The studio shelf
Over 200 Tutorials, walkthroughs, and resources to build your creative and technical skills, which is added to weekly
a real community
A space to introduce yourself, ask questions, share your work, and get feedback from people who speak your language
monthly live q&a's
Ongoing sessions covering pattern design, the business side, and whatever's on your mind that month, plus a chance to get me on the spot and pick my brain directly
challenges
Art and business challenges designed to build your portfolio and move you closer to getting licensed, not just busywork.
connection
Connect with other members around the specific niches and interests you care about as well as stay on top of your goals with accountability checkins throughout the month
support & encouragement
From me, and from fellow creatives who are building this alongside you
“
in my words
"Find your people, and the rest gets easier."
worth asking
What if you didn't have to do this alone?
Most of the designers I know who kept going, who actually built something, weren't doing it in isolation. They had somewhere to ask the obvious question, share the messy draft, and hear "me too" from someone else.
in their words
Here it from the community
A few honest reflections from students who've been through the course, in their own words.
“
I recommend this to artists with a serious interest in surface design. It's the most comprehensive, supportive space I've found.
— anne
Being part of this community helped me find the joy in pattern design again.
— judy
A must-have. The support here is what I didn't know I needed, most helpful for someone who sometimes feels like an outsider in this industry.
— elina
your host and mentor
Hey there, I'm Mel
I'm an illustrator and surface pattern designer based in Wellington, New Zealand. I've licensed my work to companies including Spotlight (AUS/NZ), Cloud9 Fabrics, Hallmark, and Auzou, and illustrated books for publishers like Scholastic UK and HarperCollins.
I started this career later than most, and I know how isolating it can feel to be figuring it out on your own. This community is the thing I wish I'd had when I was starting out, a place to ask questions, share the messy middle, and stay connected to other people doing the same work.
There's a saying I love from art agent Lilla Rogers, "people buy your joy." I believe that completely. If you're passionate about what you're making, you're not going to fail at this.
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
Two ways to Join
Both options give you the same access, the same bonuses.
Pick whichever fits your budget right now.
joining is paused for now
We are just getting things Ready
We are moving The Pattern Collective community over to a new platform at the moment, so new memberships are paused for a short while.
Check back here after the 20th of September 2026
before you join
You may be wondering
How do I know if this is right for me?
If you've got some grounding in surface pattern design but want more support, accountability, and connection to keep moving forward, this is built for you.
I'm not working as a full-time artist yet. Will this help me get there?
Yes. Having a community behind you, plus guidance from someone who's done this, helps you stay focused on the right steps instead of guessing.
What if I join and it's not a good fit? Can I cancel any time?
Yes, check your welcome email for cancellation information or flick me an email at [email protected] and I can do it for you.
What if I have a question that isn't listed here?
Send me an email, [email protected], I'd love to help.
✳
ready when you are
Come find your people
You don't need to have it all figured out to join. Most of the designers in this community didn't either, they just wanted somewhere to stop guessing alone.
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