In this Start Your Surface Pattern Business Alumni Feature, artist Alyssa Walsh shares her journey as a beginner surface pattern designer, looking to create artwork for kids clothing and products.
Meet Alyssa Walsh, Surface Pattern Designer
Alyssa Walsh is a talented artist who discovered surface pattern design when her daughter was born and now has her artwork on fabric, wallpaper, and other children’s items. Alyssa’s insights are excellent encouragement for those getting started in the surface pattern design industry.
⭐️ Check out Alyssa’s website
⭐️ Follow her on Instagram
Learn more about Start Your Surface Pattern BizLessons from a Beginner Surface Pattern Designer
Here are some of the takeaways from my chat with Alyssa:
Having a Process Matters
Learning the steps and having a process to get her art out into the world gave her the confidence to move forward and to pitch her work. (This is what my course, Start Your Surface Pattern Business teaches you. 😉) “Put your perfectionism to the side and focus on getting things done, little bits at a time.” Such great advice!
Be Persistent
Keep going, you can’t give up. It can take a while, but all it takes is one client to get started. You’ll get plenty of no’s but someone will say yes eventually. Confidence and motivation work together - have the motivation to keep going.
It’s also key to remember: There’s always going to be someone whose work seems better than yours, but there’s a place for your art, you just need to find the right client.
The Reality of Marketing Your Artwork
You can draw and draw but if you don’t pitch your artwork, nothing is going to happen. Amen to that!
Here’s a real-life snapshot of what pitching looked like for Alyssa in 2023:
Emailed 78 companies multiple times for an estimated 300 to 400 emails.
22 companies replied, many were no’s.
She ended up with 3 art licensing deals. 🌈
Check out some of Alyssa’s whimsical work below:
View Alyssa’s full portfolio here.
Craving a Clear Road Map of How to Set Up Your Biz and Find Art Directors?
Are you in need of a step-by-step process to get your art and web presence ready, find the right contacts and multiple ways to reach out to those contacts?
The Start Your Surface Pattern Business course is BACK and better than ever! It’s super detailed and packed with resources to help you find focus, overcome obstacles, and move forward in your career. 🙌
LEARN MORE ABOUT START YOUR SURFACE PATTERN BUSINESS
Just Need to Get That Pitch Out?
Have all your artwork ready to send and just need to get your pitch out? Let me help you make this pitching process easy with my Show Your Work Quick Pitch Kit.
This kit includes everything you need to write an effective email to an art director, choose your best work to include, show it off clearly, and get your work out TODAY. 👏
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE SHOW YOUR WORK PITCH KITLike this blog? Check this one out next:
How to Find Surface Pattern Design Clients
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