We are so proud of our wonderful Make Art That Sells alumni and are pleased to showcase a series of gorgeous student work that was produced in our January session of Creating Collections for Home Décor
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Mitzie Testani
My showcase image is from Week 4: ceramics. It’s a mix of painted line converted to vector and traditional media (watercolor and gouache paint). It’s my favorite because I was able to combine typography, pattern and paint and I finally figured out how to step away from some of what I made and integrate more of my unedited, painted images. I made a ton of imagery that I didn’t use. I’m getting better at critiquing myself, I think.
How did the Home Décor class help you grow?
The pace and the challenges of designing for specific substrates really pushed me. I feel like I’m making better gut decisions when I work. I do love that, informally, most of the class shares how they work in our private facebook group. We critique each other along the way, even before the live critiques from Lilla (something you don’t usually get when you work alone). It has been key to helping me to critique my illustration-self and make better decisions for a stronger images.
What did you discover about yourself?
My confidence and my speed are both growing by leaps and bounds. And, I adore home décor!
How would you describe the course to a friend?
I have grown so much in unexpected ways from the home décor courses especially (this was the second time I’ve taken it). I love that I work from a mood board and the imagery I make is open, so I can integrate multiple things that I love to draw and think critically from a client’s perspective and about what’s on trend and in the marketplace. It’s really made the difference in the way I illustrate and in the way I approach other illustration projects as well.
See more work here: Website | Instagram
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Claire Eden Design
This design was created for “Wood” week and features “Pears” which I really wanted to use in my home decor designs. I really love this image as it includes so much of my original artwork, mark making and surface pattern designs. I got such a thrill when Margo liked it on my Instagram account and left a comment (“I just love this— so well done”).
How did the Home Décor class help you grow?
The Home Decor class pushed me to conceptualise my surface patterns on 3D objects and as part of a collection. My understanding of the substrates grew and so did my confidence in my own ability to communicate my ideas visually.
What did you discover about yourself?
I discovered how much I enjoyed designing and the challenge of working to a deadline. There were times (usually late in the night) where I had to push myself out of my comfort zone and use all of my focus to get the drawings done and make tweaks to the layout.
How would you describe the course to a friend?
I would describe this course as intense, informative, challenging, enjoyable and essential for anyone who wants to understand the home decor design industry.
See more work here: Website
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Peppy Pattern And Design
A cute enamel ware set and thermos flask based on marine life birds.
I find this to be my most successful piece and my favourite assignment from the course due to its simplicity and commercial appeal. It works well as a collection and i was pleased with how my motifs looked on the items. Enamelware is also very now and i think what i have created here could be easily translated to product.
How did the Home Décor class help you grow?
It made me grow in so many ways. Firstly it has expanded my knowledge of the different substrates used for the home decor market and the multitude of ways they can be manipulated and transformed to accommodate your art work.
This knowledge alone has helped me gain a better understanding of home decor products and has changed my approach to designing quite a lot. I can now visualise the possibilities with more clarity and can be more deliberate in my design goals.
I now find myself looking more closely at how products are made and the techniques used when i go shopping. Another area of growth for me was the structure of the course.
It is great for efficiency and work flow and I found that I got a lot of work done in a short space of time which is super helpful and a big thumbs up from me. It will be something I will continue using on my design journey. The thought of drawing actual products with my designs incorporated within would have once filled me with dread, thinking i wouldn’t be able to do it very well.
However coming out of my comfort zone, I discovered that it was something I really enjoyed, drawing things i wouldn’t usually draw has inspired me to try new subject matter more often.
What did you discover about yourself?
I discovered that i need to keep drawing more and more and come out of my comfort zone occasionally. I also discovered that i can design products!
How would you describe the course to a friend?
A fantastic industry resource packed full of insider knowledge that will give you the tools to be a more informed, better designer. Both an interesting and fun way to diversify your portfolio. Valuable insights and support from both course leaders and community.
See more work here: Website | Instagram
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Steph Calvert | Hearts and Laserbeams
I love this particular board chock full of concepts for wood products because it’s the exact moment where I feel like I really found my stride in this course. Every week I tried a different way of mocking up my product ideas – sometimes I went with really mechanical photoshop perfection, sometimes I went with totally hand painted… In the end, I was able to get a better grip on how I like to work best, which is marrying photoshop mockups WITH hand drawn and hand painted items.
How did the Home Décor class help you grow?
The Home Decor class really pushed my thinking beyond flat paint on paper 2D illustration work! It really got me to start picturing what my paintings and drawings would look like on a shelf in a store, and inspired me in artwork I was creating that had nothing to do with the class.
What did you discover about yourself?
I unlocked new excitement over all of the different avenues out there for licensing artwork! It’s such a great kick in the pants.
How would you describe the course to a friend?
The live Home Decor course is intense. It’s going to cost you sleep. Lots of sleep. And your house is going to look like a bomb went off at the end of it. And you’re not going to survive without mass quantities of coffee.
But omg. Guys. It is so awesome, so inspiring, and so 1000 percent worth it.
See more work here: Website | Instagram | Facebook
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Pamela Farmer | Paint Me Bright Art
This was my submission for the Ceramics portion of Mats C. I love it because it’s probably the most “me” of all the MATS work I’ve done so far.
How did the Home Décor class help you grow?
The MATS C course opened my mind to thinking beyond flat surface pattern design, to product ideas; to imagining and creating things that you’d want for you home, which would bring you joy to look at and use.
What did you discover about yourself?
I discovered my quirky vintage-inflected style, and just how much work I can crank out in one week! I discovered a love for lettering. Also that somewhere along the way I’ve lost my fear of Photoshop, and indeed learned to love it!
How would you describe the course to a friend?
Most of my designer pals are surface pattern designers. I want them to know that this course will get you off that flat page, and teach you about markets you never knew were waiting for your art work! The briefs and handouts are super inspiring, and impel you to keep creating long after the course is over.
See more work here: Website | Facebook | Instagram
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Want a piece of the $60 Billion Home Decor industry?
What is home décor? It’s all the gorgeous and/or functional items in your house. It’s a booming market that needs tons of art, with over $60 billion in annual sales. Its massive growth is due in part to the popularity of home design TV shows, Pinterest, and Instagram, and stylish online retailers like One Kings Lane and Dot&Bo.
Art directors NEED your great art!
Our next live e-course, Make Art That Sells: Creating Collections for Home Décor starts May 16 and teaches you everything you need to know to create killer presentations with your art. Registration is open and we look forward to seeing your gorgeous designs.
