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Rachael Taylor on starting out as a creative entrepreneur and why life’s never boring

Rachael Taylor Designs

Rachael Taylor is a UK based surface pattern designer, author and teacher.

Five years ago, she decided to leave a secure job to go solo and create her creative brand. Since then, she has worked for top US and UK clients, created her own collection, written and illustrated her book “20 Ways to Draw a Doodle” published by Quarry Books, co-founded the successful Art and Business of Surface Pattern Design online course for surface pattern designers and launched the only online magazine dedicated to surface pattern design, Moyo Magazine.

In this interview Rachael tells us about why surface pattern design is special to her, how she started out on her own and why she’ll never look back! All images are courtesy of Rachael Taylor Designs.

Do you want to ask your own questions to Rachael?

  • Rachael will be speaking along a panel of industry experts at Make Art That Sells: The Global Art Gathering on June 12th in Brighton.
  • She will also be our very first #MATSchats guest – our new regular twitter chats where you can ask your questions directly to industry experts: Rachael Taylor on “How to start out as a designer”, Tuesday April 14, 9-10am PDT | 12-1pm EDT | 5-6pm GMT. More about #MATSchats here.

What is it about surface pattern design specifically that appeals to you?

Surface pattern design has a movement and energy to it and is always something that really excites me. It has the ability to transform a product through simple or detailed decoration. Life is never dull with surface pattern around whether that is within my own work or from the items I choose to decorate my own home. It can really brighten you home and life and invites an artist or designer directly into everyday lives. Working in the surface pattern design industry is fast-paced and a rollercoaster journey and you can never predict what is ahead. It is a really thriving and fun industry to be in.

You have a style that is very recognizable and unique. How can emerging designers make sure their style will stand out?

If I’m working on my own collections (and not on a set client brief) I just go with how I feel, it sounds silly but I honestly do just make it up as I go along. I like to feel unrestricted, I play some good music and just draw; I try to work freely and organically so my work feels spontaneous and not contrived.

I come from a screen-printing background so I still like to be pretty hands on. I still hand draw pretty much everything – I much prefer to work this way. I’m not too keen on drawing straight on to the computer with a graphic tablet. I tend to use a number of black pens in different thicknesses and I make lots of marks and textures too. Then I scan everything in and then work it up using Adobe Illustrator. I like to experiment and most of the time the outcome is actually a happy accident! I LOVE colour, selecting a colour palette can be one of my most favourite parts of the design process.

Rachael Taylor Designs
Rachael Taylor – Fun Utensils | Floral Fantastic | Shapes & Squares

You worked for companies before going solo, how did you make that transition to an independent design career?

Just over five years ago I left a secure job to pursue my dreams and take control of my own design path. It really was the best decision ever and has really opened my eyes to what’s out there in the world. I suddenly felt free, it was like a huge weight had been lifted and it really allowed my personality to shine through. I gained confidence as a person and taking that leap encouraged me to push myself both professionally and in my personal life.

Ever since, my life really has been one exciting roller coaster; there have been ups and downs and lots of sacrifices. I really wouldn’t change a thing! I have been on such an exciting life-changing journey. I have really had to learn on the job, and I’ve made some mistakes along the way. I believe things can happen for reason, and every little thing (good or bad) has played a part in my career and shaped my creative journey.

I started off small, with a tiny amount of manufactured products that I sold alongside working freelance. Over time I expanded my manufactured range and attracted licensing partners and more wonderful clients. It really does take time but if you really invest yourself it will pay off.

How did your experience working as an employee help you get to where you are today?

The experience of working in house was invaluable and the people were fantastic; however, I always felt more of a number than an individual designer. It was also very competitive, and I never felt I was being true to me. (I was never really allowed to draw from scratch or inject my own ideas; we generally received quite restrictive design briefs.) Early on in my career, I was happy to plod along and soak it all up, but after a while I really began to not enjoy my work at all. I always had a niggling uneasy feeling. It sounds odd but I always knew I was meant to do something else. I just needed to figure out what that was. I always say my ‘inner doodle’ was set free once I decided to go it alone.

Rachael Taylor - Canvas Bag
Rachael Taylor – Canvas Bag

What was the best advice you were given and who gave it to you?

There’s not a particular piece of advice that I particularly remember but I’m someone who is really inspired by motivational quotes.

I love this quote…

“Entrepreneurship – is living a few years of your life like most people won’t, so that you can spend the rest of your life like most people can’t.” (Unknown)

What was your main promotion tool when you started out? Is it still the same now?

I actually started out just using free media such as Facebook and Twitter and gradually built up to others from there. It can be overwhelming at first so I would recommend just starting small, with one or two accounts to begin with.

My biggest tip for getting more traffic to your website is free social media. This includes setting up a ‘Facebook’ business/company page which sends weekly page updates and who has been following your work.

‘Twitter’ is a hugely useful marketing tool as it is so easy to share and ‘retweet’ links and pictures from a website. Alongside your twitter account you can also use ‘Tweetdeck’ in which you can flag keywords such as ‘pattern’ or ‘design’ and any tweet on the subject will be fed directly to your deck so you don’t miss anything.

Setting up a blog and sharing your work is also essential marketing, and it is also important to share other designers and artists work too. This helps create a network or community of contacts that may be useful in your career and will drive more attention to your website.

There is also the online clipboard site ‘Pinterest’ on which you can now safely ‘pin’ designs and inspiration from your website and share within a supportive, creative community.

In terms of analysing the activity on your site, you can use ‘Google Analytics’, which allows you to see daily visits, the number of active viewers, types of traffic and even what countries they are from. This allows you see what is working well on your site and what isn’t.

Another tip that has worked well for me has been to submit my work to other sites that are relevant to my industry; I am a surface pattern designer so therefore submitting my work to sites like ‘Print and Pattern’ has been instrumental in driving more interest to my website and my designs.

Rachael Taylor - Cushion Collection
Rachael Taylor – Cushion Collection

What practical advice would you give someone who is considering starting a creative career today?

To believe in yourself, take that leap! I always think if you want something so much you really can make it happen. I made a promise to myself to stay truly dedicated to my goal (and never, EVER give up!) I tried to not worry and think too much about the big picture that way you are not so overwhelmed. Daily, weekly and monthly goals are realistic and manageable. I think if you don’t try something it will always niggle away at you so you might as well as just go for it! Remember to celebrate your achievements along the way no matter how big or small. When your having a bad day and things are not going to plan it’s important to reflect and remind yourself how far you come. Life really is short make the most of every opportunity and chance that you are given.

Rachael Taylor - Vast & Brilliant
Rachael Taylor – Vast & Brilliant

Are there any upcoming projects you would like to share with us?

I really hope to have longevity as a designer and I hope to continue doing what I love. I would love for my design brand to keep growing, be able to teach around the world and possibly create some children’s’ books and design for childrenswear. I also have a new book on the way soon which will be published through one of my amazing US clients as well as a licensed range of Umbrella designs with a fabulous UK client. I enjoy the not knowing sometimes, as long as I continue to do my best, be happy, work hard and remain dedicated, I’m quite happy to see where the journey takes me.

About Rachael Taylor

Rachael TaylorRachael Taylor is a fun and energetic British surface pattern designer and illustrator who creates ‘patterns to make you happy’! Since graduating from university in 2005, Rachael has been lucky enough to work for a number of prestigious clients worldwide. Rachael also runs her own design label along with successfully licensing a number of global branded collections. Her designs feature on fashion, home decors, greetings, gadgets and ceramics.

In addition Rachael is the sole author and designer for ’20 Ways to Draw a Doodle’ with Quarry Books! It is the perfect creative book and resource for illustrators, cartoonists, doodlers and anyone who loves to sketch. She is also co-founder of the groundbreaking e-course called ‘The Art and Business of Surface Pattern Design’ in which the esteemed designer teaches and shares her expertise and knowledge in surface pattern design. The success of the e-course lead the brand new ventures ‘Make it in Design‘ and ‘MOYO Magazine’. Rachael is also regularly hired to deliver seminars around the UK and USA.

www.rachaeltaylordesigns.co.uk
www.rachaeltaylordesigns.co.uk/shop/
Facebook (Rachael Taylor Designs)
Twitter (@RTShopOfficial)
Twitter (@rachael_taylor_)
Pinterest (rtproducts)

Rachael Taylor - Card, Textured Butterflies
Rachael Taylor – Card, Textured Butterflies
Rachael Taylor - Tea Towel Collection
Rachael Taylor – Tea Towel Collection

Join Rachael on June 12 in Brighton, UK for Make Art That Sells: The Global Art Gathering, our very first LIVE event and hear her speak amongst other artists and industry experts about creating a successful creative career.

MATS Live event: book your seat

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