Upcoming Event: Community Conversation about the new Patternfield app
May 5th at 3pm EST we will come together to share what we have learned about using the new Patternfield App. This is a new subscription based platform for designers to sell and license their art and patterns. Because it is brand new, there have been lots of changes and complications and it seems like a great opportunity to learn from each other about the best practices for using this platform. Join us even if you have not signed up! You can submit any questions, topics, or concerns you have ahead of time right here.
Upcoming Course: Collaboration for Designers Group Study
This two week course begins May 16th-27th In this course you will learn the importance of working alongside other designers whether they be peers or clients, how to handle conflicts when they arise, and how collaboration will enrich your design process. You will identify your strengths, what challenges you when working with others, and practice your new-found skills, giving you the confidence to put them into action. There are 10 lessons with a small task to complete as well as two larger assignments in this course. Collaboration and clear communication are crucial to many design jobs, we should all take some time to sharpen these skills! Sign up here
New Repeat Feat! Every month a Lab member’s pattern will be chosen to demonstrate different repeat techniques. Our April Repeat Feat features artwork by Joan McGuire.Check out the video here!
Recording Posted: Exploring Photoshop with Sherry London
In April’s Exploring Photoshop Sherry discussed the program Adobe Bridge and explained how the program can be used in tandem with Photoshop to help you organize, publish, and edit your files. Watch the recording. In March 21st’s Exploring Photoshop class Sherry discussed creating a website on the Adobe Creative Cloud Portfolio platform, which tied in nicely with our month of considering applying to studios and agencies. You can watch the recording here. If you have questions you can ask them in the tech talk forum and tag @prancingpixel
Recording Posted: Illustrator Live with Laura Coyle
Laura’s April Illustrator Live Course was the 19th. Laura gave us a tour of Creative Cloud Libraries, the Creative Cloud app, and Cloud Documents. Here is where you can find the recording.
In March’s Illustrator Live Event Laura gave us tips for using Illustrator and InDesign to organize and prepare your files for an exportable, linkable PDF portfolio so you can easily apply to studios and job offerings. Find the recording here.
If you have suggestions/questions for future sessions, please add them to this thread. You can ask her questions by tagging @laurac
Chelsea’s Challenge: Natural Textures
Our new Chelsea’s Challenge is now available! This month we are going to be focusing on textures from the natural world, including those inspired by water, cells, and the landscape of Mars. Some of the most beautiful textures make use of hand-done artistic techniques, but there are also so many amazing ways to create textures digitally! Within this post there are links to a number of different TDL tutorials to help you get started.
Check out the full post here which includes three inspiring trend boards and downloadable color swatches from WGSN’s A/W 23/24 palette.
Recording Posted: Chelsea’s LIVE One Hour Challenge
Chelsea’s LIVE one hour challenge was April 5th. You can watch the recording here if you plan to follow along please be prepared with the following materials: Scissors, paper, drawing materials of your choice in multiple colors, and something round to help trace circles, like a bowl or small plate. Her next one hour challenge will be May 3rd at 1pm EST
If you want to participate in the February One Hour Challenge the supplies you will need are paper and any drawing medium, although she suggested paint would be particularly fun for this challenge! Watch the recording here.
Current Course: Illustrator A Fresh Look with Laura Coyle 
Illustrator: A Fresh Look is a 5-week course that started March 28th taught by Laura Coyle. The course is for new or occasional Adobe Illustrator users, Photoshop users, and anyone who wants a refreshed perspective to better understand how Illustrator works from the ground up, and how it functions alongside the other apps in the Adobe Creative Cloud ecosystem. We’ll combine self-paced learning with a weekly live workshop. When you sign up for the course you will get a 40-page Illustrated PDF Course Guide, short video tutorials will be available every Monday to give you a head start for the week, and every Wednesday Laura will present a 2-hour zoom workshop with exercises, concepts, and Q&A – recordings are posted afterwards, so you can always watch and review. You can read about Laura’s five new favorite Illustrator features for 2022 on the Pattern Observer blog right here and you can sign up for the course right here!
New Tutorial: Designing Patterns with 3D Materials
This tutorial explains how to make a pattern in Photoshop using 3D materials, for this example Chelsea used Lego Dots but for more ideas check out the link to Chelsea’s pinterest board on 3D patterns. She also included lots of helpful links for additional learning. FUN!!!!
If you ever have an idea for a tutorial that you want covered feel free to email Chelsea at [email protected]!
Here are some of the events happening this month. All times are Eastern and all live events will be recorded.
4/27/22- Illustrator A Fresh Look Live presentation with with Laura Coyle at 1-3 pm EST
4/28/22- Art Critique with Mary Jane Mitchell at 1pm
4/29/22- Coloring Hour 1pm
Weekly Art Critiques. Please join the TDL community on THURSDAY at 1 PM Eastern for a live art critique. Our art critiques are fun events where Lab members come together to review artwork and ask questions about pattern design, marketing, and sales. A registration link will be emailed the morning of the critique and will also be posted in our Weekly Art Critique forum. Textile Design Lab members can watch past critiques here.
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