In this episode of The Print Life Podcast, I’m thrilled to welcome Becky Dator, a creative manager with two decades of fashion industry experience across apparel, textile, and color design. With her roots in Philadelphia, Becky’s journey spans well-known brands like Free People and Print Fresh, where she’s held roles from design and project management to art direction and team leadership. We dive deep into her incredible path, starting with a chance encounter that sparked her desire to become...

Finding Your Power in Surface Pattern Design: An Interview with Hollei Anne HayesIn this episode of The Print Life Podcast, I’m joined by Hollei Anne Hayes, the founder of Hollei Anne Design Co., who has spent over a decade honing her craft in the design industry. After working with esteemed brands like Toys R Us and Skip Hop, Hollei transitioned to full-time freelance and now runs her own creative studio, where her art has been seen in major retailers like Target, TJ Maxx, and Hallmark. 🌟We ...

Bec Oakes is a Sydney based print designer, her work is bohemian, vintage and earthy, influenced by her experiences while travelling and nature.She discovered the world of print design while studying design at university and fell in love. She started out by interning and working in-house in the fashion and homewares industries but has found her place in her design business. Now her work can be found on fashion, homewares, lifestyle and fabric.Bec is a beach lover, yogi, traveler and cre...

Send us a textSara Torabi, owner of Papillon Patterns, is a surface pattern designer based in Canada. Her creative purpose is to create art that brings joy and hope to lives all around the world. Inspired by the vibrant colors and beautiful nature of Canada, her work reflects the intricate details of the lines and curves she observes in her surroundings. Through her designs, she shares her love of art and nature, aiming to bring hope and happiness to those who enjoy her creationsFor more info...

Send us a textIn this episode of The Print Life Podcast, we're diving deep into the art of turning your social media audience into loyal clients. We'll explore the crucial differences between your audience, leads, and clients, and why understanding these distinctions is essential for building a successful creative business.Leslie breaks down actionable steps to identify who’s engaging with your content, how to nurture those relationships, and the importance of being prepared when your dream c...

Send us a textIn this episode, join me to sit down with Karina Duncan, a talented textile designer who has carved out a unique space in the womenswear, resort, and swim markets with original, trend inspired print designs. With over six years of experience living and working in Portugal, Karina has honed her craft through both hand-painted and digital mediums. Starting her career as an in-house designer at a printing factory, Karina went on to work for an upcoming design studio in Braga before...

Send us a textIn this episode we dive into the crucial role of market research in connecting with clients and boosting your sales as a surface pattern designer. Understanding the significance of knowing your market to establish strong relationships and make informed decisions that align with current trends and client needs.Learn why understanding your market is crucial for building client relationships.Strategies to develop designs that resonate with your target market and increase your magne...

Send us a Text Message.In this episode of the Print Life Podcast we are diving in to the power of niching down for creative entrepreneurs. Are you struggling to attract your dream clients or feeling overwhelmed by your business? It might be time to refine your focus.We will cover:The importance of narrowing your nicheHow to gain traction faster by specializingTips for streamlining your creative business to achieve sustainable growthHere's a sneak peek: "It’s important to start to look at our ...

Send us a Text Message.In today's episode, we dive into a theme I am seeing not only within myself but within our creative community: the art of returning to ourselves. As we navigate different seasons of life, it's crucial to reconnect with the love for what we do, allowing us to be intentional and release the grip of burnout. We'll explore the importance of pulling back, reassessing, and realigning with our creative passions.We discuss how being intentional with our work and business is dee...

Send us a Text Message.If you have ever found yourself looking ourward and allowing yourself to get tripped up on your journey when you begin comparing youreself to others? What if I told you that comparison can be a powerful tool for growth? Instead of judging yourself against others, try seeing it as a window into what's possible for you. When you shift your perspective, comparison becomes so expansive, not limiting.⁠⁠So today, let's approach comparison with curiosity and excitement. See it...

In this episode, Leslie discusses the intricacies of building an email list and maintaining it for surface pattern designers. You will learn comprehensive strategies on how to effectively engage with an audience, convert leads, and maintain clients. For more information about working together, visit:https://lesliekenehan.com/https://www.instagram.com/lesliekenehan/

Join me this week to dive into the importance of understanding yourself as a creative and a business owner before building your surface pattern design business. Knowing what you enjoy and what you don't is crucial in crafting a business model that feels authentic and sustainable. We will explore various pathways for designers, from working with studios to running an online shop, and share insights on how to align your portfolio with the right market to attract your dream clients.For more info...

In this week's episode, I touch on the importance of creating a market-aligned portfolio, especially when pitching in the fashion industry. I also extend an invitation to my free webinar, where I'll be offering a DIY version of my signature course. This episode highlights how crucial it is to view pitching as a numbers game and to develop your art from the inside out to resonate with your target audience!For more information about working together, visit:https://lesliekenehan.com/https://www....

In this inspiring episode of the Print Life Podcast, I sit down with Catherine Wise, a seasoned fashion, print, and graphic designer. Catherine shares her journey from fine arts to becoming a trend book designer and eventually embracing a freelance career. Her experiences in teaching at UK fashion and textile courses and offering specialized training highlight the intersection of education and industry expertise. Catherine's story is not just about design but also about adapting and thriving ...

Welcome to another episode of the Print Life podcast! I'm Leslie Kenehan, Creative Director at White Buffalo Studio. In this episode, I dive into what I believe are the five most important focus areas for surface pattern designers looking to build a thriving business. Whether you're just starting or pivoting to a new niche, this episode covers defining your style, layout mastery, market alignment, brand building, and the power of consistency. I'll share insights from my experience to help you...

Hi everyone, I'm Leslie Kenehan, your host of the Print Life podcast. In our 100th episode of the Print Life Podcast, I found it fitting that we discuss The Long Game and the truth about what really goes in to building a business you love. In this episode, we delve into the necessity of preparation to meet opportunities in surface pattern design. From identifying the right opportunities to understanding and preparing for your desired career path, I'll cover essential strategies for growt...

Welcome back to the Print Life podcast! In today's episode we will dive into the story of Rebecca Woolbright.  Rebecca is a licensed surface pattern designer and the artist behind the brand Rebecca Jane Woolbright. Her goal is to wrap the world in color. She is obsessed with patterns and symmetry and enjoys the process of manufacturing her own products to sell in stores worldwide. After seven years creating art for products, she started guiding other artists in the process of sourcing their...

Join me for an exclusive conversation with Fashion Print Design Agent, Nadine Stenovitch. With over two decades of experience in the industry, Nadine brings a wealth of knowledge to the table. As the owner of The Scoop In Design, she represents some of the best print studios in London. But that's not all – when she's not curating stunning art in LA or managing her online shop on the Pattern Cloud, you'll find her in France, renovating a 200-year-old chateau alongside her husband and pup. Main...

Join me this week as we delve into a crucial aspect of success: the art of letting go. Often, we find ourselves holding our goals so tightly, yearning for quick results. However, in this episode, we explore how releasing that pressure can lead to greater achievements. Success often comes from finding a balance between ambition and patience. By letting go of the need for immediate results and embracing consistent practice, we can pave the way for long-term growth. Thank you for tuning in....

Welcome to another episode of the Print Life Podcast, where we delve into the realms of art, design, and the fashion industry. Today, we discuss a topic that is dear to our hearts - the significance of embracing artistic integrity and exploring design in all its forms. Main Episode Points: The idea of getting comfortable enough in your own artistic integrity to look at other artists' work.The importance of studying good design, art, and aesthetics in various forms: catwalk, surface pattern...

In this episode we get to know Roberta Montorfano, founder of Betta Designs. Roberta is an Italian-Mexican artist. Raised in Como, Italy, she grew up steeped in the vivid interplay of colors, textiles, history, and art. For Roberta, the art of storytelling is embodied in design, art, photography, and colors.   After immersing herself in textile design for five years in Italy, and actively participating in textile fairs across the globe, a turning point emerged in 2013. Fueled by a...

Exploring the soulful journey of authenticity. Join us to deep dive into the significance of authenticity—the key to unlocking a style that is uniquely yours. This episode is a voyage of self-discovery within your creative process, an infusion of the unexpected, and a commitment to artistic integrity.  Learn how revisiting your past works becomes a catalyst for discovering your authentic style. Embrace experimentation, and embark on a creative adventure that resonates with the essence of who...

In today's episode, we'll explore two distinct approaches to developing your signature style in surface pattern design. We'll discuss the importance of committing to a consistent practice and delve into the three phases that designers can repeatedly navigate to continually refine and explore their unique style. Join us as we uncover practical insights to shape your design journey. Ready to commit to your practice and explore the evolving phases of your design style? Let's dive in on Day 03 of...

Welcome back to the Style Series! Today, we are reconnecting with our origin story to inspire us forward on our journey toward uncovering our signature style.  🌟 Recalling Your Origin Story: Think back to that magical moment when you realized being an artist or designer was your true calling. Reconnect with what sparked your creative flame— Was it a product, a feeling, or a magical creative moment? Rediscover why print design became your chosen path.  By reconnecting with your artistic...