Forever Student

Hi lovelies!

I have missed you dearly and hope your life has been fabulous since my last post. My design endeavors have been kicked up a few notches and I am beginning to feel like a forever student. There will always be something else to learn about designing, building collections, promotion and marketing, etc etc. And while my perfectionist ego would love to know everything at once before doing anything, I know that is not how life is. Therefore, I and my works will forever be a part of the creative and learning process. While this process can be tedious, it can also be a beautiful opportunity to grow and become better at my craft.

One such opportunity that allowed me to leap and learn was participating in a pattern design competition for an upcoming home furnishings company. The project entailed designing a six-piece collection with varying unique designs that fits the personality of the company's customer. There was a grand prize winner as well as other designers selected to join the initial design team. Unfortunately, I was not one of the lucky winners. Yet, I am so totally impressed with myself. 

 

Her Typical Day collection by Darnita L Howard

I am easing into my style and seeing what works and what doesn't. I am enjoying the research process and following all these tutorials and guides about designing and making patterns. It is so much fun. I realize that I can't get enough of patterns and that everywhere I go, I paying more attention to what others are wearing, how walls are covered, and seeing patterns in everything.  And that fuels my desire to design more and learn about shaping these inspirations into pattern form. It is okay to be a forever student. And I don't mind telling others to do the same. So, what are you a student of? Share in the comments section.

Until next time, have a beautifully designed day.

Darnita

Mission Complete! Now What?

Hi Lovelies,

It's chilly over here in Seattle and I need to wear warmer clothing ASAP. How is it going on your end? I hope swell. Anywho, I wrapped up Make It in Design Summer School. Yay for me! After six weeks of work, I can finally say MISSION COMPLETE. I had so much fun and connected with so many other talented designers. I can't wait to do some more learning. As promised, I have the delight of sharing the designs from my last briefs.

Third Brief for the Beginner Level: Jewels Theme

Mockup for Third Brief of Intermediate Level: Feathers Theme

Mockup for Third Brief of Advanced Level: Intricate Chaos Theme

Now that summer school is over, now what?! I mean I know the answer. I must continue forward. There is no turning back now. I told a group a few weeks ago, that I am going to put in my 10,000 hours so that I can master the craft of surface pattern design. Yep. I said that. And I am making that commitment. After using Gimp and Inkscape for years, I have been upgraded. My sweetheart gifted me with a subscription to the Adobe Creative Cloud as my birthday present. :-) Can I say, AWESOME! And while I have watched and read plenty of tutorials on Illustrator and Photoshop, it is nothing like actually doing the do. There is still much to learn and skills to acquire. No biggy.

As I venture into my 10,000 hours I shall take further inquiry into finding my style and brand identity. At times, I think I know what it is and at others I question what I'm all about. It's all good regardless. It's all celebrating what this beautiful life is offering in the moment. As my mantra goes: Life's a party. Be sure to celebrate. For each step I take, I am celebrating these milestones. Today, I had to sit back and think of how far I have come along this career journey. I know so much more than I did when a started. I am aware of what it really takes to operate a business. And I have beautiful connections to others doing the same thing. I am grateful. So, here's to taking steps and making the commitment. No more excuses to why I can't follow the course. I leave you with a quote from Molesey Crawford, Founder of the Queen Code, "Queen, it’s time to move beyond your excuses and your fears. Believe in your vision enough to take the first step." And so I shall.

Til next time, have a beautifully designed day.

Creating Beyond Comfort

Hi lovelies,

I have been in a designing frenzy for the last few weeks with Make It in Design Summer School. We received our last briefs and all I can say is Say What?! Each brief regardless of level has been a challenge and taken me way beyond what I thought I was capable of creating. I mean seriously. When I began designing patterns, I was sticking to my handy dandy yet exquisite fractal creations. Yet, I haven't been eager to automatically include fractals into my works for summer school. I am looking at other options first. I guess you can call that growth. Now in the last stretch, I am being pushed even further and it's uncomfortable but it's also pretty darn cool. As I have been crafting ideas for the Beginner Level brief which is focused on jewels, I am starting from nothing but turning out some awesomeness. What it all boils down to is this: You never know what you can do until you do it. From a doubter of all doubters I proved myself wrong. While I am still learning so much and have a lot more to cover about surface design, I am proud of each step I make. I am happy to step and create beyond my comfortable medium or perspective. And just to show you what I'm talking about, here are snapshots of the patterns I've created thus far for MIID.

First Brief for the Beginner Level: Tropical Paradise Theme

First Brief for the Intermediate Level: Retro Geometrics Theme

First Brief for Advanced Level: Water Rays Theme

And yes my very first swimwear mockup. 

Second Brief for Beginner Level: Tribal Shapes Theme

Second Brief for the Intermediate Level: Animal Print Theme.
(I am not one that really knows about animal print. It's called Growth I tell you.)

Here is the animal print on a tote bag. Now available for purchase at my Society6 shop.

Second Brief for Advanced Level: Tribal Collage Theme. I did that! :-)

First ever mockup on boxes. Whoa!

That's it for now folks. I will post again with the last brief designs soon so stay tuned. Oh and I think you should also see the other great designs from MIID students. Go here for more goodness. Thanks for checking and seeing what I'm up to. I'm always looking to here how you are creating in the world. Feel free to share in the comments section. Take care and until next time, have a beautifully designed day.

Make It in Design Summer School and a Whole Heap of More

Hey Lovelies, 

It’s been a minute since I connected with you, so I wanted to touch bases and play a little catchup. Have You Loved Yourself Today wrapped up nicely and I am mightily blessed and grateful to have been given that opportunity to share love and receive it in the process. An entire month of loving on yourself goes by fast. You can’t beat that. Well, yes you can if you do it every day. It was synchronous again as I was pouring forth messages about self-love, I was receiving daily messages as well that advised me to nourish myself and pay attention to my wants. Universe, I am listening. I hear you loud and clear. I took an amazing trip to Leavenworth and Soap Lake in Washington but that gorgeous amazing experience will be saved for a different post. You gotta see the pics. But I digressed. 

Last week I did work that simply wasn't my cup of tea. That meant I had to kick the self-love and care into high gear in the form of sleep. And it was definitely needed. (Little confession here: I don’t like standing in place for eight hours without real social interaction. It is exhausting. Lesson learned.) Can I say I am grateful for a bed and blanket even in this summer heat? Have you been taking naps lately? If not, I highly recommend you schedule one ASAP. 

Anywho, after a week of doing non-creative work and almost going insane from the monotony, I am happy to be back in the studio creating. Designs are in full swing as the Make It in Design Summer School kicked off last week. I happened to mention the Make It in Design Summer School some time ago. If you happened to miss that post, you can learn more about the e-course over here. My wanna be over achiever self had the audacity to register for all levels of the course. What in the world was I thinking? After the initial shock of all that was required for each brief, I got my bearings in order and am now having fun like no one’s business. Party over here! Yay! Design is in my bones and I am happy to be learning from the course. I look forward to the process and the outcome. Stay tuned as I share my insights as I partake in the course. 

So for now, I bid you “Ahnyong” (Informal version of “Goodbye” in Korean). Until next time, have a beautifully designed day. 

 Take care,

New Feature on Design Juices

Hey lovelies,

This week so far has been absolutely amazing. The weather is nice in Seattle where it actually feels more like summer than spring. Therefore, I have out and about while getting my workout on in the process.  I have been letting go and telling more people about what I do (I used to be shy around this area of my life.) And now today, I am the featured surface pattern designer on Design Juices. I must give a big thanks to Jared Thompson for making this happen. I love Design Juices and am always inspired and loving the works of so many creative beings. Time for another happy dance. What's going on in your neck of the woods? Leave a comment below. Take care lovely ones and until next time, have a beautifully designed day.

Best,

Summer School is the Way to Go!

Hi lovelies,

I just signed up for summer school and I am too thrilled about it. Way back when I was in school, the thought of spending hot days in the classroom seemed more of a nightmare. But this time around, I am eager to learn. Make it in Design is offering a FREE Summer School for surface designers. "Fill your summer with inspiration and creativity." There are three levels of courses to choose from so you don't have to worry about not being prepared or feeling stupid about what you can do. After wanting to take The Art and Business of Surface Pattern Design course for so long but not having the budget to do so, I had to jump on this opportunity. Again, I say it's FREE! FREE! And not free where you are going to get jipped with lackluster results. Rachael Taylor and Beth Kimpton are not about that life. So, sign up today! Classes begin in July.

Until next time, have a beautifully designed day.

Best,

It's Here! Darnita L Howard Shop @ Society 6

Hi Lovelies!

It's finally here!  I have opened up shop at Society6 and I am just so thrilled to bring you lovely home decor items as well as accessories to carry with you on the go.  The shop features beautiful pieces from the TEX MEX and Garden Party collections.  I'm so excited that I'm about to burst and I just know you'll burst too once you see the goods. Head on over now and see what all the excitement is about.  After you take a peek (and buy), head back here and comment below telling me your fave items.

BONUS: FREE Worldwide Shipping is available thru Sunday, May 11th when you use this promo link. You have to click on that link to get the promo deal.

Until next time, have a beautifully designed day,

By Hand London Secret Garden Competition. Cast your vote!

Hi Lovelies,

I hope your day is going swell. I received exciting news today from By Hand London. Last week was the deadline for their first ever fabric design competition, and I entered. Yay for stepping out of my comfort zone. Anywho, Charlotte Hintzen from By Hand London notified me that my design Cherry Blossom has been selected for the shortlist for the Secret Garden competition. Can we say OMG!!!! Aahhhhhh!!! But I digressed. To secure my place as the winner, I need votes. And by votes, I mean I need you to vote. The voting process is quite simple. If you are on Facebook, go to By Hand London's page and comment on the competition's album page for the design you'd like to see on fabric. And by design you'd like to see on fabric, I mean mine the Cherry Blossoms by Darnita. Also, be sure to LIKE the actual picture/design. "LIKE"ing is important. It's essential to my existence. Well, not really but it is important. This pic right here. Look below right now. It's also at the top of this post. Now, if you don't use Facebook, they got you covered sweetheart. Go to By Hand London's website to comment.

Have a lovely day.

Best,