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Studio Tips How Can I Manage My Time Better When Creating Artwork?

Studio Tips How Can I Manage My Time Better When Creating Artwork?

by | Feb 5, 2024 | Insights

Q: How can I manage my time better when creating artwork?

Are you overwhelmed with the balancing act of creating art and managing your time effectively? It’s a common challenge for artists, but the solution might be simpler than you think. Here are some strategies that can help your creative workflow:

  • Set a Schedule: It’s not glamorous but setting a schedule for yourself that you stick to can be a game-changer to managing your time, being productive, and creating more art. Do you feel most inspired in the morning, maybe it’s mid afternoon, or maybe you’re a night owl? Figure out what time works best for you, then give yourself a minimum amount of time each day to work on your art. Maybe it’s only 5 minutes, maybe it’s 20 but set the minimum so it feels insanely easy to achieve and then make it non-negotiable.
  • Eliminate Distractions: This can be easier said than done to try to eliminate any distractions that you can that could take away from your focus during your art making time. Turn off your phone, put on some headphones, and get to work.
  • Take Breaks: Sometimes we’re in the flow and hours can go by before we realize it but taking regular breaks can help you stay energized and motivated while you’re creating art. Allow yourself a few minutes here and there to take a break, stretch, or grab a snack. It’s also a great time to step back and reflect on what you’re creating.
  • Schedule Your Challenges: If you’re feeling overwhelmed, break down your collection or project into smaller, manageable tasks. When you break them down into smaller tasks it is not as overwhelming & you can tackle them in smaller time slots.

Boost Your Creative Process

If time management stands between you and your artistic aspirations, let us guide you towards a more productive and fulfilling creative path. Our Monthly Portfolio Building Creative Design Briefs are meticulously crafted to remove the guesswork from your creative process. With comprehensive strategic planning, including research, themes, color palettes, and motif/prompts lists, we equip you to dive straight into designing. This is your chance to create more, build a well-rounded, marketable portfolio, and make your mark in the art world. Click here to unlock your potential and start designing with purpose today.

Talk soon!
Fleur & Ryann

Studio Tips Where to Find the Latest Trends in Surface Pattern Design

Studio Tips Where to Find the Latest Trends in Surface Pattern Design

by | Jan 1, 2024 | Insights

Q: Where can I find the latest trends in surface pattern design?

1. Pinterest: Pinterest is a great source for discovering the latest trends in surface pattern design. You can do a simple “surface pattern design” search or browse the boards of designers, brands, and trendsetters to get an idea of what is currently trending.
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2. Instagram: Instagram is another great place to find the latest trends. Following not only other artists but also the brands and companies that you want to work with and paying attention to what they are creating and using in their designs.
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3. Behance: Behance is an online portfolio site that can be used to showcase work and also give insight into the latest trends.
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4. Publications and Blogs: Many publications and blogs are dedicated to design trends. They often share upcoming trends not only on their site and in their publication but also on their social media platforms.
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5. Trade shows: Trade shows are a great way to find out what’s new in the world of surface pattern design. They are also a great place to network and find new clients.
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6. Local Shops and Stores: Don’t under estimate the power of just getting out into the world and paying attention to what is happening inside stores.  What merchandise is at the front, what it at the back, is there a color or category that is trending.
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7. WGSN: WGSN is expensive but you could follow them on instagram to get sneak peaks on upcoming trends. There are also other smaller trend sites like TrendBible.
Talk soon!
Fleur & Ryann

Creative Brief Tip – Dive in Early

Creative Brief Tip – Dive in Early

by | Dec 18, 2023 | Insights

Creative Brief Tip

Creative Brief Tip – Dive in Early

Inspiration Strikes Unpredictably: Creativity is a whimsical companion. It doesn’t wait for you to be sitting at your workspace with a blank canvas. More often than not, those brilliant ideas pop up when you’re least prepared. So it’s always a great idea to open your brief right when it lands in your inbox to get that seed planted regardless if you can dive into creating right away.
 
Give Yourself a Better Chance of Meeting Your Goals: Starting early provides you with the time to execute on your brief when unexpected priorities, opportunities, distraction inevitably pop up.
 
Overcoming Procrastination: Procrastination can be a formidable foe for us as artists. But by diving into your Creative Brief immediately, you break the cycle of putting it off. Even if you can’t immediately start working on your project, reading through the brief itself is a step forward.
 
Time to Flex Your Imagination: Diving in early gives you time to brainstorming and plan. It’s an opportunity to flex your creative muscles, explore new ideas, and experiment with various approaches. The more time you give yourself with the brief, the more you can explore your ideas.
 
Don’t wait for the stars to align or for the perfect moment to start each months collection. 
 
Dive into your Monthly Portfolio Building Creative Brief as soon as possible. 
 
Starting early ensures you capture those fleeting moments of inspiration, defeat procrastination, and set meet your goals.

Join us!

Xx ~ Fleur & Ryann

PS. If you would love to stay up to date we everything we do & this challenge then join our newsletter HERE 
Learn More About our Monthly Portfolio Building Creative Briefs Here
Studio Tip How Can I Ensure That My Patterns Are Unique?

Studio Tip How Can I Ensure That My Patterns Are Unique?

by | Dec 4, 2023 | Insights

Q: How can I ensure that my patterns are unique?

It sounds simple but one of the most helpful ways to create patterns that are unique to you is to draw from your own creativity and imagination.
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Rather than pulling inspiration from one source, try pulling inspiration from a variety of sources, then spend time noting what elements you like from each.
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Once you have your inspiration and visual note taking done, tuck that away and simply start playing and experimenting with the ideas. This process can help you come up with something that is uniquely yours, has your own voice, and will allow your style to start to shine through the work you create.
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Don’t be afraid to spend as much time as you need in the experiment and playing phase!
It really is the best part of the creative journey.
Talk soon!
Fleur & Ryann

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Studio Tips Working on Art Challenges

Studio Tips Working on Art Challenges

by | Nov 6, 2023 | Insights

Q: What are you best tips and tricks for working on art challenges and making the most of them?

Embrace the Challenge: Select challenges to participate in that you are excited about! Consider if the challenge feels inspiring or will push you to stretch your creative muscle! Will the challenge help you fill a gap or build out a section of your portfolio, are you wanting to do it for fun, to grow, or both?
 
Get Inspired: Once you know the direction or theme of the challenge spend some time gathering inspiration. Get outside, make a mood boards, collect reference images, jot down ideas, anything that sparks your creativity. 
 
Prioritize and Simplify: Identify the most crucial aspects of the challenge and prioritize your efforts accordingly. Don’t get caught up in trying to do everything at once. Simplify your approach by focusing on the core elements of your design.
 
Manage Your Time: Break your work into smaller tasks and set goals for each part of the challenge.
 
Push Yourself: Art challenges can be a great opportunity to exploring new techniques, styles, and concepts. Be daring and experiment with different colors, textures, and motifs. Step out of your comfort zone and see what magic unfolds.
 
Embrace Imperfection: Let go of the pressure for perfection. Art challenges are about growth and exploration. Embrace the imperfections, learn from them, and allow yourself the freedom to make mistakes. It’s all part of the creative process.
 
Stay Positive: Art challenges can sometimes feel overwhelming, but don’t forget these are suppose to be fun so keep a positive mindset. Enjoy the journey, celebrate your progress, and embrace the learning experience. Remember, every challenge contributes to your growth as an artist, regardless of the outcome.
Talk soon!
Fleur & Ryann

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100 Day Challenge – How do you come up with what to draw for the challenge?

100 Day Challenge – How do you come up with what to draw for the challenge?

by | Oct 10, 2023 | Insights

100 Day Challenge

Mastering Your 100-Day Art Challenge: Crafting a Prompt List for Success

 Are you considering embarking on the exciting journey of a 100-day art challenge? The thought of creating something new every day for an extended period can be both thrilling and daunting. One helpful step to eliminate the overwhelm of this challenge is coming up with a list of what you want to draw or create for each day. In this blog post, we’ll explore how to curate a list that keeps you inspired and motivated throughout your artistic marathon.

1. Define Your Focus

Begin by defining your artistic focus. Much like any artist taking on this adventure, let’s say you want to delve into the realm of illustrations and challenge yourself to draw objects and shapes that don’t naturally spring to mind. Identifying your focus will provide you with a clear direction and purpose for your challenge. This will not only make your daily drawings more coherent but also help you grow as an artist within your chosen niche.

2. Brainstorm a Diverse Range of Prompts

Once you’ve pinpointed your focus, it’s time to brainstorm a diverse range of prompts. Open your creative floodgates and let your imagination flow freely. Consider objects, themes, and subjects that intrigue you or challenge your skills. Think outside the box and include items you might not typically gravitate toward.

To illustrate this process, consider compiling a list of 150 different prompts on your phone, spanning from telephones and breakfast foods to cars. This extensive list can serve as a wellspring of inspiration for each day of the challenge. Don’t hesitate to seek inspiration from various sources, such as books, movies, nature, or even your own experiences.

3. Think About Future Projects

While brainstorming prompts, be mindful of their potential utility in future projects. Consider prompts that could be seamlessly integrated into your broader artistic endeavors. Whether it’s creating greeting cards, patterns, or any other form of artwork, these prompts should serve as building blocks for your creative journey.

4. Maintain Flexibility

One of the beautiful aspects of a 100-day art challenge is the freedom it offers. You’re not bound by your list; it’s merely a helpful tool. As an artist, there’s no need to force yourself to use the list every day. Instead, treat it as a resource you can turn to when you’re feeling stuck or in need of a starting point. Embrace spontaneity and let your creativity flow naturally. Some days, you might find inspiration outside your list, and that’s perfectly fine.

In conclusion, creating a list for your 100-day art challenge is all about finding a balance between structure and spontaneity. Define your focus, brainstorm a diverse range of prompts, think about future projects, and remember that your list is there to inspire, not restrict.

By following these steps, you’ll be well-prepared to embark on your artistic adventure and create a stunning body of work over the course of your 100-day journey. Good luck, and let your creativity soar!

Join us!

Xx ~ Fleur & Ryann

PS. If you would love to stay up to date we everything we do & this challenge then join our newsletter HERE