If you want to turn your art or doodles into patterns, there is a whole world of classes and courses to get you started in surface pattern design.

There are many websites and great teachers out there who share their knowledge of this industry. This means it can feel overwhelming, and speaking from my own experience, it left me bewildered and trying to figure out where to start.

With this paralysis in mind, I realised there are several factors to consider before undertaking a course.

Things to consider when choosing a surface pattern design course

1. What do you want to achieve or learn at this stage of your surface pattern career?

   It will pay dividends to take an hour or so to think about what you are looking to achieve at this stage.  There’s nothing worse than signing up and paying for a course that is either too advanced or not quite what you were looking for.  At this stage, you want to develop your skills and confidence to reach the next level — whether it’s technical, business-related, finding your style, or managing your mindset.

2. What area of the industry are you looking to learn about?

   Do you want to improve your drawing and design skills?  Upgrade or learn how to use Illustrator, Photoshop or Procreate to make patterns? What areas do you want to concentrate on? Stationery, textiles or other types of surfaces? Are you ready to learn how to create a collection? Or are you looking to learn more about the business side of things – such as marketing and pitching your designs?

3. Is the course Live or self-paced?

   I guess your preference for either a live or self-paced course will influence the type of course you want to undertake.  Both have their benefits and downsides.  If it’s a full-on course over some time, it is helpful to be part of that community. However, if you are taking things a bit slower, self-paced learning lets you complete the courses at your own pace.

4. Level of support

   When researching for a course, look for the type of support the course leader offers.  Check if there are opportunities for 1-to-1 coaching, a community group linked to the course on Facebook, or other ways you can get help when you’re scratching your head, wondering why Illustrator is acting quirky.

5. Budget

   Some of the courses listed come with a pretty hefty price tag.  If you are new to surface pattern design, I’d recommend starting with a few smaller courses.  If you have the budget, and the course looks like the right one for you, and there’s a community attached that you feel you would benefit from, then that sounds like a good fit.

   As a busy mum and someone attempting to set up a surface pattern business as a side hustle, it is just as essential to budget for the time commitment a course will require.  In other words, a course may look fabulous and shiny, but do you realistically have the time to complete it?

10 Surface Pattern Design Courses for Beginners

Whichever level you’re at, make sure you take the time to do your research.  Look at the two or three courses listed below and think about what you want to achieve.  You don’t have to learn everything at once, and one course may be better once you have mastered the basics. And don’t skint yourself either — there are plenty of surface pattern design courses that cost only a subscription, like Skillshare, or free 7-day courses that certain designers, like Bonnie Christine, offer in the run-up to the annual launch of Immersion.

Without further ado, here are the ten surface pattern design courses for beginners:

1. Oksancia – provides self-paced courses in creating patterns in Illustrator and selling your designs through microstock websites.  Okscancia is a fantastic, knowledgeable teacher; her courses are worth checking out.
2. Mel Armstrong is a New Zealand Surface Designer and Creative Educator who has their own surface pattern design course, ‘The Art and Joy of Surface Pattern Design‘, and some fantastic, easy-to-follow mini courses on Skillshare.
3. Elizabeth Silver – provides courses around licensing, pitching and getting started in the industry.  Well worth a look, as she has been in the business a long time and really knows her stuff!
4. Bonnie Christie – Immersion course – an annual course with a hefty price tag, yet it offers a comprehensive community and modules to get you up and running as a surface pattern designer.
5. The Pattern Social – Jules McKeown and her husband recently launched their ‘One Motif, Endless Patterns‘ course, breaking it down on how to create colourful and impactful patterns in Adobe Illustrator..
6. Pattern and Design – Rachelle’s self-paced courses – showing you how to create your first repeats in Illustrator and Photoshop.
7. Polina Oshu – I love Polina’s bold style and took her PatternCamp course a year or so ago, which I loved. I first found her through her Domestika course. She also has a Patreon page where you can learn from her.
8. Kristina Hultkrantz – Kirstina also offers a Patreon service and Skillshare classes to help beginner surface pattern designers get started.  Her classes are easy to follow and a super accessible way to learn more about creating patterns.
9. Amanda Grace Designs – offers courses for beginners to intermediate surface pattern designers in Photoshop and Procreate. Her newsletter is full of helpful advice on getting started as a surface pattern designer.
10. The Print School offers a range of courses focused on drawing, painting, and Photoshop. The company behind The Print School, Longina Phillips, has worked with big fashion and textile brands.

What Next?

Hopefully, this list of surface pattern courses gives you an overview of the level and scale of what is available to get you started – whether you want to try a free course or take a deep dive in.

Best of luck on your journey!

Feel free to share below if there is a course you have found helpful when starting in the industry.