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Today, I’m going to cover the eight things you must have to be a designer. These things range from physical tools all the way to mindset.

The 8 Things You MUST Have to Be A Designer

1. A COMPUTER | Clearly, you will need to start with something to design on. Specifically, you need a computer with a lot of memory to run your software. Both PCs and Macs are great for designers.
2. DESIGN SOFTWARE | I recommend the Adobe software since it is the standard for professional designers.
3. DESIGN THEORY | The third thing you need is a basic understanding of design principles. A basic understanding of design principles and how to talk like a designer will move you forward as you talk to clients and create artwork.
4. SALES | It isn’t much of a design business without sales. So find a place to sell your work. Look for physical manufacturers and online venues to sell your products.
5. DESIRE TO BECOME THE BEST | Desiring to become a better designer is a true gift. Things change in the design work often. If you can pivot with the market trends your adaptive business will grow quickly.
6. PRODUCTION | An in-depth knowledge of production is key for a professional designer. If you are not getting your designs to the manufacturer, creative director, or shop in the correct format, your chances of getting more opportunities decreases substantially.
7. THINK LIKE A DESIGNER | You also need the ability to think like a designer. Find the shapes, draw from inspiration, and think the way a designer does.
8. ENDURANCE| Owning a design business requires heart and time. There are a lot of designers, however, the ones that have successful businesses are the ones that endure. They produce everyday. They do the boring everyday things that make their businesses run.

Do you want to learn more about how to increase your skills and earning potential? If so, come join me in  a Design Bootcamp!

Create these Wizard and Witch Heat Transfer pillows for yourself or the wizard or witch  in your life. This easy project can add a fun, comforting touch to a couch, chair, or bed.

Here’s What You Need:

• Silhouette or Cricut Machine
• Vinyl
• A piece of fabric or towel (if need for heat pressing)
• Cutting mat
• Wizard and Witch zip file (provided)
• Pillow
• Iron
• Cutting tool
• Transfer paper

Get Past Bundles for only 9.99 @carinagardnershop or Subscribe Ink Club Monthly for only $4.99 @InkClub

Watch the tutorial here:

Create these Framed Wizard and Witch Vinyl art pieces for the wizard and/or witch fan in your life.  This artwork makes a great addition to living spaces or bedrooms. All of the files can also be used on cards, heat transfer, or in paper.

Here’s What you need:

• Silhouette or Cricut Machine
• Vinyl
• Paper (if needed in addition to the vinyl)
• Cutting mat
• Wizard and Witch Vinyl Art zip file (provided)
• Frame
• Transfer paper
• Cutting tool

Get Past Bundles for only 9.99 @carinagardnershop or Subscribe Ink Club Monthly for only $4.99 @InkClub

Watch the tutorial on YouTube:

Today, I’m going to break down three tacky mistakes surface pattern and craft designers make. Hopefully, this list will help you evaluate your own design work!

Mistake #1 Enlarged Designs

When designs are enlarged, the negative space and shapes are visually different. Since most of my designs fit on an 8.5 x 11” sheet of paper, I am designing for a “letter” size. Once designers enlarge a design, you need to adjust type, shape sizes, and more. Keep an eye on anything that looks inappropriate!

Mistake #2 Oversaturated Colors

Oversaturated colors are an amateur mistake. While bright colors can be appealing, this is more about unintentionally oversaturating colors (think fluorescents). To avoid this, get a second set of eyes on your design work!

Mistake #3 Your Sizing Doesn’t Make Sense

This mistake happens because designers do not test patterns off the computer. A common mistake is overly large designs. Ultimately, these big designs are difficult to use for physical applications. To avoid making this mistake, print off designs to check their size.

I hope discussing these mistakes allows you to evaluate your designs.

If you want to learn more techniques for becoming a successful designer, join my upcoming Design Bootcamp!

To delve a bit deeper into the three tacky design mistakes, please listen to episode 169 on our podcast here:

Create this Autumn themed window card for someone you love! I love creating cards like this with my scraps of cardstock to cut out all of the tiny little details. This unique card design will impress anyone who receives it and it’s so much fun to put together. This project is great for all levels of crafters.

Here’s What You Need:

• Silhouette or Cricut Machine
• Silhouette or Cricut Cutting Mat
• Assorted Cardstock or Cardstock Scraps
• Gluestick
• 3D Adhesive Tape
• Autumn Card SVG Cut File (provided)

Get Past Bundles for only 9.99 @carinagardnershop or Subscribe Ink Club Monthly for only $4.99 @InkClub

Watch our YouTube video for the tutorial!

Are you interested in becoming a brand ambassador for Carina Gardner? We are super excited to announce that we have started our brand ambassador program!

What’s a Brand Ambassador?

Our Brand Ambassador is a program that allows anyone to have an affiliate link to share with others to join our Design Bootcamps!  You earn a 70% commission for each person that signs up for a Design Bootcamp using your unique link.

If a Design Bootcamp participant then signs up for Design Suite, we give our Brand Ambassadors the following:

• Design Suite University: A $200 bonus after 90 days and the Rose Badge
• Design Suite Mastermind: A $500 bonus after 90 days and the Rose Badge
• Design Suite Elite: A $1000 bonus after 90 days and the Rose Badge

Where Can You Share Your Link?

You have several options to share. These include:

• Direct email or text message to a design friend
• An Instagram post
• An Instagram story
• Blog post on why you joined Design Bootcamp or Design Suite
• Facebook

Authenticity really speaks to people, so we recommend sharing your experience in Design Bootcamp. Be open about your design journey, why you got started, and how the bootcamp or Design Suite program has benefited you.

Are You Ready to Sign Up?

Please go to https://www.carinagardnercourses.com/ambassador to sign up and get your unique link. Thank you for helping us build the best designers in the industry!

Have you joined our Cricut and Silhouette bundle membership? $4.99 for our gorgeous set of files all inspired by the wonderful Autumn season!

Join the app to get access to this month’s download. Past bundles available @carinagardnershop for $9.99

Join the App for free here:: https://ink-club.passion.io/

We can’t wait to see what you make!

Today I am unboxing at HeatPressNation CraftPro 15″ x 15″ Crafting Transfer Machine in Mint, HPN Signature Series 2-in-1 Automated Sublimation Mug and Tumbler Press, and accessories!

Here’s where to purchase all of these items (copy and paste the title into the search bar when you click here): https://shareasale.com/r.cfm?b=1137072&u=3278573&m=77504&urllink=&afftrack=

• HPN Signature Series 2-in-1 Automated Sublimation Mug and Tumbler Press
• HeatPressNation CraftPro 15″ x 15″ Crafting Transfer Machine
• SubliCraft by HeatPressNation 16 oz. Stainless Steel Sublimation Skinny Tumbler
• SubliCraft by HeatPressNation 16 oz. Stainless Steel Sublimation Skinny Tumbler
• SubliCraft by HeatPressNation 20 oz. Stainless Steel Sublimation Skinny Tumbler with Straw – Glitter Silver
• SubliCraft by HeatPressNation 20 oz. Stainless Steel Sublimation Skinny Tumbler with Straw – Glitter White
• Pro Grade Non-Stick Parchment Paper for Apparel – 15″ Roll
• Heat Tape for Sublimation Mugs and Tiles
• Twincore Tape Dispenser

I have some great craft videos coming up with sublimation that I’m so excited to share! I’m making some fun things for friends, Halloween, and Christmas!

XOXO,

Carina

Some links on this site may be affiliate links. If you purchase a product using the link I may receive a small commission. I will only link to products I support and/or use personally. All opinions are truthful and my own.

The “R” word always makes people stressed out. And technically, with two quarters in an economic turn, we ARE in a recession.

Instead of worrying about what the economy looks like or the price of gas, I focus on what I can control and what skills will keep me relevant.

Over the last 14 year of owning my business, I have seen many ups and downs. Through it all this one little skill – DESIGN – has gotten me through it.

That is why I believe that being an excellent designer is a way to be recession proof and bring stability to your finances.

When the pandemic started in 2020, I wondered if my design business would come out okay. I remember writing a list of things I could do to supplement my income if earnings fell. Great design skills (and the ones I teach in Design Suite) can help me in ALL realms of design…not just paper and fabric as I am known for.

That’s why it’s not a leap to see one of my designers take a corporate job in design even if they are trained to become a surface pattern designer (and yeah, I have had this happen).

In fact, in Design Suite I created a Freelance Design Course so my designers have the skills and knowledge to pivot when needed and also be recession proof.

I can’t explain just how important becoming a designer has been to be creative and financially secure.

If you have wanted to create additional design skills, learn how to earn money, and you need a first step, enroll in one my Design Bootcamps to learn strategies I used to get started.

To learn more about why I believe that design is recession proof, listen to episode 168 on our podcast here:

Today I’m unboxing the new award system for Design Suite! We also just got a new case of our signature Design Suite Tote!

If you haven’t heard of my Design Suite program before, it’s the only design mastermind that teaches members how to make money as they learn how to design. It’s a year-long program with 17 courses (WHAT!) and weekly meetings to give our members one of a kind experience.

You can see most of what we do in Design Suite by going here: www.carinagardnercourses.com/designsuite.

You’ll notice on that page that there is no way to actually purchase Design Suite. That’s because we only open it up in Design Bootcamps.

I like to make sure that my Design Suite members understand what I teach and how we make money. We do that by having anyone interested go through a Design Bootcamp. In Design Botocamp, I teach our core principles, signature framework, and how to build residual income. I like to be realistic about the challenges and why the market isn’t as saturated as you think.

Learn more about a Design Bootcamp here:

www.carinagardnercourses.com/designbootcamp

Hope you like the awards! All of these awards are for our Design Suite Mastermind Program (other tiers may not be included in all of these things).

XOXO,

Carina

I often get asked if going back to college is the best way to become a designer.

If a design degree is what you are seeking, I will always encourage people to get one if they would like it. However, if you are more interested in working as a designer, there are certainly ways to bypass the college process.

In fact, this is precisely why I created Design Suite program.

So, let’s quickly talk about the college programs. If you have been to a typical four year college, the first two years are usually dedicated to prerequisite courses like math and english. The last two years are generally focused on the degree specific courses. When I taught design at the University of Minnesota, course work included foundational classes, packaging design, typography, color theory, and more.

Part of the reason we teach a wide variety of theoretical design classes at a university is to make sure students are getting a well-rounded education. If you are someone who wants that, a university degree is a great solution for you.

If you are more interested in digging in and designing now, then learning via online courses and programs is the best way to move forward. Many designers who want a more niched route are looking at becoming Cricut designers, surface pattern designers, sticker or printable designers, or another niche market.

So, do you need a design degree to become a designer? No. You do, however, need the right tools and knowledge. There are many online programs and courses that can help get you there.

Are you interested in maybe something in between University coursework but, at the same time, learning to design now to make money? My Design Suite was built to be the middleground between University level course work (niched down to teach practical tips) and business (learn to design for shops and making money while in the one year program).  You can learn more in a  Design Bootcamp! In these bootcamps, we provide some useful tips and discuss the Design Suite program in greater detail.

If you want to learn more about how to become a surface pattern designer without going back to college, listen to the Podcast Episode 167 here:

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Want to listen to the Make and Design podcast? Find it anywhere you listen to podcasts including iTunes, Spotify, and Google!

Link to listen directly on iTunes here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/make-and-design-with-carina-gardner/id1573922271?i=1000575354808

Want to create something fun with your Cricut and Silhouette machines? Check out our Ink Club membership!

Our bundle club is only $4.99 for our gorgeous set of files all inspired by Harry Potter for Witch and Wizard month.

Join the app to this month’s download. Past bundles available at carinagardner.com for $9.99

Join the App for free here:: https://ink-club.passion.io/

We can’t wait to see what you make!

If you’re familiar with my blog or podcast, you have heard me mention Design Suite. Here’s a little more info on my signature design program.

I only open up the Design Suite program in Design Bootcamps. It is set up this way because it is incredibly important for designers to understand the strategies involved, best practices for selling designs, and what holes are missing in their design businesses.

As designers, it is easy to get excited about the creative work. This is the “design” part of a “design business.” What is often missing is the “business” part.

This is why many designers never make any money.

One of the goals of Design Bootcamp is to start the education process of becoming a design business that understands what it takes to make money.

Design Bootcampers who understand the principles I teach and are ready to invest in creating a design business are invited into Design Suite.

So what happens in the Design Suite Mastermind? This one year membership includes 17 courses that are specifically meant for surface pattern designers and crafters. It also includes weekly meetings and community for support that actually moved your design business forward.

Some of the types of meetings you will experience in the program are Mentor Meetings, coaching sessions, peer led discussions, and guest expert meetings. We also meet quarterly in Virtual Conferences to stay up-to-date with trends and software changes.

What’s New in August 2022?

We are so excited to announce that we’ll be releasing a Design Suite Handbook in August 2022 for all Design Suite Mastermind members. This physical handbook will include things like roadmaps, cheat sheets for the courses, trackers, and worksheets.

We are also thrilled to be starting an awards system in August! These awards help celebrate all of the wins that are required to build a thriving design business.

More on Design Suite

To hear more about Design Suite, and the upcoming changes, check out the Podcast Episode 166 here:

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Join a Design Bootcamp to learn the first strategies and steps you need to get started at www.carinagardnercourses.com/designbootcamp.

Today I am unboxing at SG500 Sublimation printer from Sawgrass! If you have ever wondered about sublimation before, this is going to be fun for you to watch!

Setting it up was SO easy! Sometimes I get nervous about putting in ink cartridges but this was a snap!

I know most of you like to use my SVG files (aka Silhouette and Cricut cutting files) so this new machine is going to be fun to play with! Sublimation uses a heating element to fuse png or jpg files all at once. I’m used to layering everything with my heat transfer and vinyl projects with my cutting machine!

I will for sure be playing with my print and cut SVG files with this sublimation machine!

Other things to note, Sawgrass has an amazing onboarding phone call that is FREE when you purchase a printer. Go to https://www.sawgrassink.com/ to set up the call.

The call was so helpful because they walked me through the paper, ink, and getting everything right on my computer to print! Whoopee!

So what am I going to use this sublimation printer for? I think I’m going to start with some tumblers and then make some t-shirts! I’ll make sure and document my process via video!

You can find all of my new crafting videos at www.youtube.com/carinagardner.

Want to find out more about sublimation? Check out my podcast episode with Sarah Cannon on sublimation! Here’s the link to Episode 180!

XOXO,

Carina

Twenty years ago while I was in the academic system, portfolios were a necessary part of getting design gigs. I still believe a great portfolio can be a job catalyst for designers just out of school. If you are a freelancer in my program, I will also encourage a portfolio. However, if you are getting into surface pattern design or a crafting specialty, I don’t recommend a portfolio.

The topic of creating a portfolio has come up in my Design Suite Program on numerous occasions, which is why I want to address this today.

When you’re in a specific field like surface pattern design, the best way to show your work is to be SELLING your work. Your portfolio IS the shop you are designing and selling in.

Experience as a designer is far more important than a portfolio. That’s because you will be learning from that shop which of your art is being sold. The main point of a portfolio is to get you a corporate design job or get you that freelance gig. If you are in a shop, you are past needing a portfolio.

Do you love this kind of design information? If so, come check out one of my Design  Bootcamps!

To hear more about why you don’t need a portfolio, check out the full podcast episode here:

Have you joined our Cricut and Silhouette bundle membership? $4.99 for our gorgeous set of files all inspired by Harry Potter for Witch and Wizard month.

Join the app to get access to this month’s download. Past bundles available at carinagardner.com for $9.99

Join the App for free here:: https://ink-club.passion.io/

We can’t wait to see what you make!

When I started surface pattern design 15 years ago, one of the things I wanted was a contract to work with a company. Options were limited, and I think that I was blissfully ignorant of how complicated this road was going to be.

Today, there are many ways that surface pattern designers can make money. Designers no longer need to rely on manufacturers alone to create income. Online marketplaces now provide ways to sell digital products and freelance work. The income is more stable and flexible than ever before!

There has never been a better time or more transparency about the process of becoming a designer as now. If you’ve been thinking about getting into surface pattern design, I want to challenge you to start learning the software, building networks, and learning where you can sell your designs.

It’s hard to predict the future. Many designers who took time off, wish they could go back and do something different. I want to emphasize that focusing on the NOW will propel you forward. This is exactly how I run my design business, and how I recommend you run yours.

While doing this, I look for lessons I’ve learned from the past to determine the opportunities in the future. It’s vital to be hopeful and positive to get those creative juices flowing!

The little steps you take add up. Perseverance and consistency are important attributes of successful designers. Oh, and this crazy little thing called adaptability. It’s an ever changing world and the faster you can pivot your designs, the better your financial future will be.

If you’re looking to fast track your design business, hang out with me at my next Design Bootcamp. Learn more at https://www.carinagardnercourses.com/designbootcamp.

I can’t wait to see you there!

XOXO,

Carina

Want to learn more about design in 2022? Check out Podcast Episode 164 What Surface Pattern Design in 2022 Looks Like here:

It’s time for an Easter project round up. Happy springtime and “hoppy” Easter season! Today we’re going to take a look back at some of the fun projects that I’ve done over the past couple of years! These fun items to add a touch of Easter to any decorations or displays that you’re putting up to celebrate.

Happy Easter Banner

First up is this decorative Layered Easter Banner! Whether you hang it along a wall or in an archway, what better way is there to say “Happy Easter” than this banner? Its accordion cuts, fun textures, and optimistic messaging make it beam with “Spring is here, so let’s celebrate!”

Such a fun way to set the stage for a beautiful Easter display!

LINK TO A TUTORIAL FOR THE HAPPY EASTER BANNER

Table Top Easter Village

Next up in our Easter project round up, we have two pieces that you can display together or display separately. The Mini Tabletop Easter Village is perfect for putting on a cake plate. It can also serve as a centerpiece and will add decorative flair to any Easter display. Give little bunnies adorable places to live! Choose from the two houses or bunny den that lovingly overlook the cute easter garden in this colorful vignette.

LINK TO THE TABLE TOP EASTER VILLAGE TUTORIAL

Best Bunny House

The little village brings joy to any room as a standalone or it can be paired with my Best Bunny House to build a little Easter Bunny metropolis (well, the beginnings of one, at least!). Combined with the Village or on its own, the Bunny House combines cute flowers, adorable bunnies, and a double-decker design to add a flourish of Easter fun to any room or table top. The darling spring garden that surrounds the house makes this a fun and colorful way to celebrate springtime and the Easter season.

LINK TO BEST BUNNY HOUSE TUTORIAL

Flat Folding Bunny Box

Last up, we have an adorable little project that can be used in a number of ways!

The Flat Folding Bunny Box is the perfect way to package party favors or to wrap up a little Easter present you’d like to give someone! Stacking several of these boxes in different colors is also a cute way to create a stackable Easter display to add a touch of pastel panache to a room for the holiday.

LINK TO THE FLAT FOLDING BUNNY BOX TUTORIAL

I hope you’ve had as much fun revisiting the Easter project roundup as I have! If you’d like to join my VIP group so that you can get designs like these as freebies in your inbox every week, go here: http://eepurl.com/dN2RcY.  I regularly RESEND files to be sure to sign up so that you’re getting all my free tutorials!