In this episode of the Print Life Podcast, we kick off the Style Series—a four-part exploration inspired by the 2020 Style Challenge. Having guided nearly 400 participants through the challenge, it's the perfect time to bring it to the podcast. Join us as we delve into the importance of identifying your "why" when it comes to developing a signature style, the myriad benefits it brings to your creative journey, and practical approaches to implementation. Join me for two days of focused...

Welcome to another episode of  The Print Life Podcast! This week we are diving in to the evolution from creative hobbyist to the creative entrepreneur. Join Leslie to chat about the common hesitations many creatives face when pondering the viability of turning their passion for design into a full-time entrepreneurial venture. We discuss the power of stepping into the role of a creative entrepreneur, shedding light on the mindset shifts and transformative experiences that come with embracing...

Today we are diving into another artist interview, join me to welcome Kirsty Milloy. Kirsty is a fashion print designer who while working in-house for retail brands experienced an unexpected moment which made her re-consider her dreams. She aspires to build a studio-of-one which creates print collections for youthful brands who want to WOW! Kirsty’s style is versatile and fresh and she loves combining hand illustrated and painted elements to create impactful and colorful art. Inspired by...

Hello, creatives! In this week's episode, I'm diving into the chaos that often comes with January—the month packed with enticing growth opportunities, new challenges, and a sense of urgency. But, here's the truth: the rush might lead straight to overwhelm. Join me as we explore the powerful shift from 'I have to' to 'I get to.' It's all about reframing our approach to tasks or projects in our creative journey. I'll share some eye-opening examples of how this simple switch can transform our...

In this episode, we delve into the power of envisioning our aspirations, challenging self-imposed labels, and embracing consistency as a key to success. Here's a brief recap: Clarifying Vision: Encouragement to pause and envision what's desired in life and career, reflecting on steps taken towards those goals.Overcoming Labels: Addressing the labels we place on ourselves, recognizing they often act as self-imposed barriers to growth.The Consistency Challenge: Highlighting the significance of...

Welcome to this week's podcast episode! Today, let's dive into the concept of embracing the new year by fully committing to your creative vision. At a recent marketing conference, a quote from Julius Caesar was shared that struck a chord with me: 'If you want to take the island, you have to burn the boats.' This resonated with me so much. Often as creatives, we build many revenue streams at once claiming we are multi passionate, we allow fear or doubt about how saturated the space be the...

In today's episode of the Print Life Podcast, we dive in to the importance of understanding what a niche and target market truly represent in your career as a surface pattern designer. Understanding these concepts is crucial to find success in our journey of selling art to a commercial industry. Contrary to the belief that artists must struggle, hoping someone will buy their work, success lies in identifying the needs of our clients and finding a way to meet them in the middle without...

In today's design landscape, establishing an online shop is more crucial than ever, whether you're a freelancer or a seasoned studio. The Pattern Cloud eliminates the ambiguity of setting up your online print shop, providing a comprehensive solution from inception to execution. Join me for an insightful interview with James Hartley, Tracy Brown, and Sophie Rolley, where we delve into their individual studios' journeys and unravel the genesis of The Pattern Cloud. As a game-changer in the...

Join me today to learn how you can take just 20% of your time weekly to focus on tasks that will move the needle in your creative career. This is something we do in the Print Life Membership and has been responsible for much success in my own career, studio and print agency. Take it from someone who runs multiple businesses during part time hours....this rule is key!! For more information about working together, visit: https://lesliekenehan.com/ https://www.instagram.com/lesliekenehan/

In the world of surface pattern design, there's this funny idea that choosing a unique path boxes you in. But what if I told you that it is in choosing a path is more like a secret superpower? Join us in this episode as we let you in on the not-so-serious secret of wrapping your creativity with intention, authority, and a big boost of confidence. Get ready to discover what can transform your design career from overwhelm to creative flow.  For more information about working together,...

Join me today to chat about how a simple shift in the way you look at your numbers, where you spend your time and managing expectations can support you in staying the course in your freelance business.  Go from hobbyist to business owner with these small tweaks in how you look at your income, your numbers, followers or client list.  For more information about working together, visit: https://lesliekenehan.com/ https://www.instagram.com/lesliekenehan/

In today's episode of the Print Life Podcast, we delve into the ever-evolving landscape of the surface pattern design industry and discuss essential strategies for success in your career. With some trade shows discontinuing, it's important to adapt to the changing industry dynamics. We explore the significance of trade shows in our industry and the implications of their evolving status and outline some key marketing strategies that can support you going forward. Email MarketingEstablishing an...

Welcome to another episode of "Design Tip Friday"! 🌟  Today's design tip revolves around the idea of creating multiple motifs for your designs before you put them into repeat. We can often get stuck in creating just a few motifs and putting those into repeat which can often end up looking a little cheap or have that 'stamped on' feel.  Join me today for a quick chat on how you can add a bit more personality and variety to your designs by leaning in to imperfections in your art. Happy Friday!...

Welcome to todays Artist Interview with  freelance fashion print designer, Alex Solly. Alex worked in-house as a designer for 10 years, working for a variety of high street suppliers, brands and retailers, before making taking the plunge and going freelance about 3 years ago. Working predominantly with the high street womenswear market, she has a commercial hand and loves creating florals, animal prints and textures. Join us today to chat about Alex's creative journey so far, what she has...

In this special episode of the Print Life Podcast, we're bringing you an exclusive recording of one of our live workshops from the PLM members' area. Although this workshop includes visuals, the valuable insights and techniques shared are extremely relevant for surface pattern designers who work with briefs or face challenges in this area. During the workshop,Leslie will dive in to the intricacies of working with a design brief. She shares her years of experience and knowledge, providing...

Welcome to another episode of "Design Tip Friday"! 🌟  Today's design tip revolves around a concept that can be a real game-changer for creatives: the power of focus. I get it; we're bursting with ideas and a burning desire to see them all come to life. We want everything we chase to be a success, and often we are wanting to see those results quickly. But when things don't pan out as expected, we're left scratching our heads, wondering where we went wrong. The truth is, oftentimes, success is...

Have you ever felt the nagging pull of imposter syndrome? If you're a creative, chances are you have. In our latest podcast episode, we sit down with Elizabeth Silver, a seasoned surface pattern designer, who sheds light on this all too familiar feeling. With a career spanning two decades, Elizabeth shares her journey from academia to the corporate world and finally to freelance designing. She doesn't shy away from discussing the challenges, including the often daunting disconnect between...

Welcome to a brand new episode where we have the pleasure of hosting Lisa Hawthorne, a remarkable surface pattern designer who tossed aside medical textbooks for a paintbrush. With her vibrant, hand-painted floral designs, Lisa's journey is sure to spark inspiration. In today's conversation, Lisa takes us behind the scenes of her work with high profile brands like Free People and Chufy and the launch of her own kid's label, Rocks in Our Pockets.  Ever wondered how to navigate the changing...

There are many differences between industries and markets when you create surface pattern designs, but one of the main differences is the way we go about developing a collection, a group of prints or even a one off. Join me today to chat about the main ways you create art for fashion and differences between them.  For more information about working together, visit: https://lesliekenehan.com/ https://www.instagram.com/lesliekenehan/

Have you ever felt the weight of creative expectations—whether from clients or even from yourself? In this tiny episode, I share the importance of getting all the hard work and research out of the way before sitting down to create so we can turn our attention inward and create authentically and from the heart.  I'm here to remind you, and myself, that the process itself is where the magic happens. So, lets loosen those attachments to outcomes and simply have fun and enjoy the process. 💖 For...

In this episode, we delve into the crucial significance of having a niche in the surface pattern design industry. As a seasoned art director with a design background, I share valuable insights that will empower both aspiring and established designers to thrive. Learn the power of specialization and a focused approach, allowing you to develop your skills, attract clients effortlessly, and charge premium fees. Whether you're just starting or aiming to scale your career, choosing a niche is the...

How many sketches, doodles, and paintings are piling up in your creative space, unrealized and unscanned? If you're like me, it's probably a whole lot! Working surface pattern designers have the tough job of being the experimental, risk taking creative and the disciplined designer who knows when it is time to stop panting and start scanning. So often it is in the time we spend playing with layout, texture, color and scale that we can begin to see the motifs come to life...and sometimes when...

What if the values we hold dearly could be the cornerstone to personal and professional growth? Today I share my personal journey of discovering my core values and how they have influence the decisions I make in my life and business as they continue to guide me authentically along my path. If you ever feel you are struggling with knowing what type of design, clients or business you want, this episode is for you. Learning what is at the core of who we are can offer so much clarity in our...

What if you could transform your career, transitioning from one industry to another, while beginning to build a successful freelance business? Meet Carolyn Quan, Sydney-based illustrator and textile print designer, who did exactly that. Moving from the gaming industry, she ventured into the world of fashion, wearing different hats for her in-house role before taking the leap into freelance to support fashion and lifestyle brands with custom print design as well as working with print studios...

Ever wonder why you pitch your designs and hear crickets? It is often due to the fact that we are forgetting to take the end use or market into consideration. This episode of the Print Life Podcast covers this common mistake and sheds light on how you can tailor your portfolio to get the positive response you're after.  We will cover the idea of the evergreen portfolio, using 3D fabric swatches or fashion mock ups. Hear first-hand why it's critical to pitch with the audience in mind, and...