Is repeat pattern design field oversaturated? My take after 8 years of experience. In this video, I talk about is repeat pattern design field oversaturated or not. I share my experience after 8 years as an independent textile designer and also what I noticed in other niches I create in.
I see a lot from people comment on the Internet that fabric design or surface pattern design field is oversaturated and that no one new can make it in a creative business as there are too many pattern designs being licensed on the internet nowadays. When I was starting out 8 years ago (12 when you count vector art in general), I was also like you wondering about that so I listened to the comments and they also said the SAME THING – it’s too late! Had I listened to them back then, I haven’t been able to create and run my own creative business and support myself and my family for 8 years and to still be supporting now and expanding to other creative niches.
I had the same experience when I was starting my Youtube channel (the one you are watching now) about textile design and vector repeat pattern design and running a creative business 2 years ago. Everyone also said that it was too saturated on Youtube, but here we are. Same with the first online course I launched this year. I am so blessed with more than 150 students in it now, but everyone also said: “too many online courses out there”.
Please don’t listen to that belief and go after your creative dreams TODAY! Your dreams will take time and even change but in 3 years from now you will look back at today and regret doing nothing to advance yourself closer to your creative dreams.
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Hope this video was helpful for you to get you started on the path of your creative dream, and learning how to overcome negative beliefs and how to start believing in yourself as an artist. Thanks for watching!
Oksancia
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I have wondered about this. I have designs on Spoonflower, where I have had some sales over the years and some on another site (one sale a years ago). I am not very good at promoting, but I am glad for a hobby that pays for its self. If surface pattern design was over saturated, I would sell nothing, because there are many designer more talented than I am. There is more competition because more designers have found sites like Spoonflower, but amazingly this might be my best year yet with the previous high sales in 2012.
I’m a beginner pattern designer and I was worried about the same thing. Thank you for easing my concerns, Ma’am! You’re one of the first people who inspired me to start creating! My website is just getting set up and I have a Spoonflower shop that isn’t doing so well, but you’re the main reason I started both. I don’t know if I’ll ever find success with my art, though. I have a few public, but not for sale items that I’m working on at https://www.spoonflower.com/collections/275482-new-2-by-sobonnydesigns
Thanks for being so positive and encouraging. I am nearing retirement age and looking for something creative I can continue to do while retired. I have previous 40+ years in graphic design and illustration. I have worked in lots of different fields, but with your system I am having so much fun and enjoying being creative, even when book illustration projects are not on the table. When I look at the stock art websites I see thousands of beautiful illustrations, but with your encouragement I know I can continue to build my portfolio, have fun, and make a little extra money while being creative!
Yes there are more designers and websites, but there are also more customers as, for example, individuals realise they can get unique fabrics for their sewing projects and get used to the idea of ordering POD.
Thanks for your input, lots of good points. I think many people who think the pattern design field is over saturated often forget that 10 years ago not as many people were internet savy and used digital products in the way we so commonly do today. So with that comes many more designers needing patterns, both for personal and commercial projects and I believe in the end it always balances out. Loving and thriving with your system , thanks for all your creative input .
KK , limolida Design Studio
http://www.limolida.com
Absolutely right. we must remember, that a ton of people gave up, or went on to something else, thinking it was over saturated. So that balances it out quite a bit. Most artists I find, since I have been a manufacturer and an artist, don’t follow through or don’t do art full time or seriously. A small percentage really pursue licensing and galleries full steam. When I retired out of manufacturing into art full time, everything was changing. Stores weren’t buying the quantity, art didn’t have the lengthy life it used to, everyone was discouraged. But if it’s your passion, the doors will open. I sell fine art in galleries and do licensing work, I figure that way I am working with two segments of the industry. I have been fortunate to be in galleries and licensing. You can’t let outside voices influence you.