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Creative Brief Member Spotlight – Kristy Vargo

Creative Brief Member Spotlight – Kristy Vargo

by | May 12, 2025 | Uncategorized

Creative Brief Member Spotlight

We love spotlighting our Creative Brief Members!
Artist Spotlight – Kristie Vargo.

Kristie Vargo of
Kristie Lyn Studios

As a child, Kristie slept with a box of crayons. She invented board games and wrote fanciful stories. She drew colorful pictures and painted with water on sidewalks. She created wooden sculptures from scraps in her father’s workshop.

Now, Kristie is a Chicago-based illustrator who replaced water with watercolor (and more), and is creating designs that tell stories through nostalgia.

Why I love the Briefs…

I love a project and the Creative Briefs are all the best things about projects! The amount of information and knowledge that is shared each month is fantastic.

They have pushed me to be thoughtful about pieces I want to add to my portfolio, and given me direction on trends and pitch timing.

I see them like a Christmas morning gift on the first day of each month – I can’t wait to open and see what’s inside!

My Biggest Win

Although I haven’t had a win with a specific pattern I created
with the briefs, I have had wins BECAUSE of the patterns I added to my portfolio from the briefs.
Because of my professional portfolio, clients have hired me to create custom patterns such as, wallpaper for a coffee shop in Florida, four patterns for a new upscale pyjama company, and pattern for the 2024 advent calendar from a candle company!

My Tip Tips…

When I open a new brief, the first thing I consider is how it will work in my portfolio. If I already have a lot of the subject matter, how can I interpret it differently?

I always filter the brief through my style lens and color preferences.

In the first week of the month, I brainstorm collection ideas, do some visual research, plan out motifs, and consider new pattern styles I want to explore.

Want to see more of Kristie's work?

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We love hearing from & spotlighting our Portfolio Building Creative Brief members!
If you are a member & would love to be featured submit below.

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Creative Brief Member Spotlight – Fiona Du Plessis

Creative Brief Member Spotlight – Fiona Du Plessis

by | Apr 13, 2025 | Uncategorized

Creative Brief Member Spotlight

We love spotlighting our Creative Brief Members!
Artist Spotlight – Fiona Du Plessis.

Fiona Du Plessis of
KleinFi

Fiona is the Founder and creative brains behind KleineFi, which she runs with her partner and business partner, Riaan.
KleineFi is a small design studio nestled in Cape Town, South Africa, which draws inspiration from the region’s beautiful animals and nature.
With a childlike sense of wonder, Fiona believes in drawing without fear, a philosophy that shapes KleineFi’s unique and playful brand.

Why I love the Briefs…

I love how each Creative Brief offers clear guidance on what to create, and perfectly aligns with what needs to be pitched and uploaded for customers.
The briefs allow plenty of freedom to infuse your own style.
By creating a mini-collection each month, my portfolio is growing much faster and it is so much fun!

My Biggest Win

I have had plenty of wins since becoming a Creative Brief Member.
It’s a game changer for me. The briefs save me loads of time and remove the doubt about whether I am creating and designing the correct prints.

My Tip Tips…

My biggest advice is to try and draw at least two to three motifs in your style from the month’s prompt list each month, with the mindset of allowing yourself to have fun.
By developing this habit, the blank canvas becomes less of a creative blocker, making it easier to stay on track and motivated.
Also, having a creative community to share and ask for advice is such a refreshment.

Want to see more of Fiona's work?

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We love hearing from & spotlighting our Portfolio Building Creative Brief members!
If you are a member & would love to be featured submit below.

Submit Here 

Creative Brief Member Spotlight – Marlies Blockand

Creative Brief Member Spotlight – Marlies Blockand

by | Feb 25, 2025 | Uncategorized

Creative Brief Member Spotlight

We love spotlighting our Creative Brief Members!
Artist Spotlight – Marlies Blockand.

Marlies Blockand of
@blockandmarlies

Marlies Blokland is an Illustrator & Surface Designer based in the Netherlands.
Her work shows a great use of colour and is often referred to as playful and cute.
She includes a variety of subjects in her work such as animals, food and toys, all spiced up with a little bit of childhood-magic.

Why I love the Briefs…

I love the Creative Briefs because they it keep me going! They also challenge me to create exciting work for my portfolio!

My Biggest Win

I’ve only just started this month, but I believe I will have wins to share
as I keep creating.

My Tip Tips…

“I try to use the Creative Briefs as a base for my planning and then give my own personal touch to the subject. That way my work stays consistent, but is still new and fresh because of the subject of the brief, which I might not have chosen on my own.”

Want to see more of Marlie's work?

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We love hearing from & Spotlighting our Portfolio Building Creative Design Brief members!
 If you are a member & would love to be featured submit below.

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Creative Brief Member Spotlight – Elaine Bozza

Creative Brief Member Spotlight – Elaine Bozza

by | Feb 9, 2025 | Uncategorized

Creative Brief Member Spotlight

We love spotlighting our Creative Brief Members!
Artist Spotlight – Elaine Bozza.

Elaine Bozza of
Ebozza Studio

Elaine Bozza is an Illustrator and Surface Pattern Designer based in Auckland, New Zealand. She loves creating whimsical designs, characters and animals for children.
Elaine’s art unfolds ludic-style tales of wildlife and adventure, each piece born from intuitive storytelling and brings people joy.
Elaine’s portfolio has diverse pattern designs for textiles, wallpaper, home decor and stationery.

Why I love the Briefs…

The Creative Brief Membership was a game changer because I saw it as a professional guide that kept me focused on the project.
It covers many details such as the colour palette, mood board, products and pitching calendar.
I loved it so much that I applied the same brief structure as a model for all my design projects.

My Biggest Win

Since becoming a member I have a new collaboration with the fabric company, Cloth Cuts, and a licensing deal with Natural Roots Fabrics.

My Tip Tips…

“I have a few pieces of advice that I always tell myself, and I learned from the Studio Chats, for instance: a mini collection is better than no collection, seek feedback and advice from other designers.

From my experience: value your style and artistic voice, but challenge yourself to study art principles, and explore new mediums or art techniques to stay inspired and expand commercial opportunities. “

Want to see more of Elaine's work?

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We love hearing from & Spotlighting our Portfolio Building Creative Brief members!
If you are a member & would love to be featured submit below.

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Studio Chat – Building Your Brand Through Community

by | Nov 25, 2024 | Uncategorized

Studio Chat: Building Your Brand Through Community

Today, let’s dive into the delightful world of building your brand while nurturing a vibrant community. It’s like planting seeds in a garden and watching them blossom into beautiful flowers together. So, grab your coffee or tea, and let’s chat about what this journey entails.

First things first, building your brand isn’t just about showcasing your art—it’s about connecting with people on different levels. It’s about sharing your story, your process, and your passions in a way that resonates with others. Whether it’s through Instagram, newsletters, or good old-fashioned conversations, finding your tribe is key.

A common question we get: “Where do I start, and how do I find my people?” Well, my friend, the answer lies in being proactive. Don’t wait for community to come knocking on your door—go out there and seek it. Slide into those DMs, engage with other artists’ content, and don’t be afraid to put yourself out there.

But remember, building community is a two-way street. It’s not just about taking, but also about giving. Share your knowledge, support your fellow artists, and be genuine in your interactions. Trust us, it’s the little gestures of kindness that go a long way in fostering meaningful connections.

It’s also just as important to talk about building community as a brand or business. It’s a bit trickier, but equally rewarding. Whether you’re reaching out to other brands or nurturing relationships with your customers, authenticity is key. Show love, give love, and never underestimate the power of a genuine connection.

In the end, building community and branding is all about being intentional. Know who you’re talking to, share your journey authentically, and don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone. After all, the most beautiful things often happen when we least expect them to.

So, here’s to building thriving communities and brands that shine bright like the stars we are. Cheers to creativity, connection, and endless possibilities!

If you would like to jump in and be part of the Creative Collective Studio community, we would love to have you! Sign up to our newsletter to be part of our community, and you will have access to support and advice from us and our members.

If you would love to dive into this topic more then get FREE ACCESS TO OUR STUDIO CHAT LIBRARY  HERE
Sign Up To Our Newsletter

There is an entire video library of chats and it’s totally FREE!

In the library we cover topics including:

– How to Keep Your Instagram Safe

– Raising Your Prices

– Industry Myth Busting and lots more

 

Get Access Here
Creative Brief Member Spotlight – Sarah Lucking

Creative Brief Member Spotlight – Sarah Lucking

by | Nov 11, 2024 | Uncategorized

Creative Brief Member Spotlight – Sarah Lucking

Artist Spotlight- Sarah Lucking

Heatherbelle Crafts was set up by Sarah simply because of her love of art. She particularly enjoys drawing animals in a child-friendly style and is taking tentative steps into the world of surface pattern design.

She lives with her husband, two little girls, dogs, cat and chickens!

If you would love to see more of Sarah’s designs click here

“This is my first time participating as I only joined as a Creative Design Brief Member a few weeks ago.

I really enjoyed my first brief because it was something a little different and gave me plenty of new ideas and inspiration to think about.“

We love hearing from our Portfolio Building Creative Design Brief members on how they love our Design Briefs & their hot tips for working with them! if you are a member & would love to be featured submit below.

Submit Here

If you are not a member yet & would love to learn more about our amazing design tool to help you build your portfolio like a pro then click the button below to learn more.

At Creative Studio Collective, we’re all about crafting fantastic design tools for Surface Pattern Designers, Textile Designers, Artists & creatives that support you on your creative journey, allowing you to focus on the enjoyable aspects while we handle all the strategic thinking and planning for you! 

Learn More About Our Monthly Creative Briefs Here