Letter to a Budding Designer

By: Bonnie Christine

Story Adapted From Pattern Magazine – Volume 3

Pattern Magazine is Bonnie Christine's quarterly print and digital publication for surface pattern designers, artists, and creative entrepreneurs who believe that how you live shapes what you make. This letter first appeared in Volume 3, Begin Again, the winter 2026 issue.

A pattern of my winter.

Dear Creative,

Every February, I sit down at my desk, pull out a pair of scissors, and begin trimming hundreds of strips of wildflower seed paper. It’s become a rhythm of my life, a pattern, if you will. One that began in the early years of launching Surface Design Immersion.

In just a few months, I’ll do it again. I’ll trim pieces of seed paper and read the names written on each one, the names of the students inside Immersion, the creatives from all over the world pressing into growth. And as I read these names, one phrase always comes to mind, words that were shared with me when I first began my own design journey:

There is room for you.

To the person reading this letter, there is room for you inside surface pattern design. This life is brimming with creativity; it’s filled with patterns. You’ll look at the world with fresh eyes, notice color palettes, textures, and beauty tucked into everyday moments. You’ll discover the joy of building a whole, fulfilling career from your art.

Picture afternoons in your creative space, lost in the joy of making...your designs adorning products lining the shelves of your favorite stores...a career filled with creativity, flexibility, and the freedom to be present for the moments you treasure most.

This is what awaits you. Beauty in the everyday; creativity in each moment.

There is real demand for your work, the story and art only you can bring. Industry leaders and top brands are actively looking for designs that carry heart, created with a thoughtful process. If you’re wondering, “Do I fit in the world of surface pattern design?” The answer is yes.

Bonnie

Wanting More?

This letter comes from Volume 3 of Pattern Magazine, Begin Again. The whole winter issue, with every story and photograph, is at bonniechristine.com/patternmagazine. If you want to learn more about Surface Design Immersion, read here.