The Immersion Course costs $1997 with two optional payment plans: 6-month plan ($379/mo) or 3-month plan ($749/mo).

If you choose a payment plan, your first payment will be made the day you enroll, with the following payments automatically made on the same day of the month for the following months.

This year we are also offering Afterpay and Klarna. Each of these offers short-term 0% interest payment plans for qualified applicants. This lets you break up your payment without extra costs. To apply through Afterpay or Klarna, you'll add the "full payment" option to your cart, and if available where you live, you'll see the option to apply through Afterpay or Klarna in the checkout.

The Immersion Course begins on Monday, March 2nd and lasts for 8 weeks.

Students will have unlimited + lifetime access to the 2026 course and can go through it at their own pace. 

The Immersion Course is only offered live one time a year. Students will have unlimited + lifetime access to their version of the course and can go through it at their own pace. 

The minimum requirement for this course is:

• A computer that meets Adobe Illustrator system requirements
• Adobe Illustrator (desktop version)
• Sketchbook / paper
• Pencils / pens
• Phone camera or scanner

Students will receive a full list of recommended resources and supplies upon registration. 

There are many wonderful programs available for creating digital art, but Immersion is specifically designed to teach surface pattern design using Adobe Illustrator for desktop.

Here’s why:
Industry Standard: Illustrator is the primary software used by surface designers working with major brands, manufacturers, and licensing partners. It’s widely accepted across industries, ensuring your designs are production-ready.

Best for Pattern Design: While you can use pixel-based programs like Photoshop and Procreate, Illustrator provides the most powerful and precise tools for creating seamless repeating patterns and vector-based artwork that are easily re-colorable and scalable.

Real-World Compatibility: The majority of manufacturers can easily use Ai files for production. Learning Illustrator gives you the flexibility to work with fabric companies, wallpaper brands, and product manufacturers with ease.

We fully respect that professional designers work in a variety of programs.

However, Immersion’s curriculum, assignments, and support are built entirely around Adobe Illustrator for desktop (desktop version), as we believe if there was one tool to learn that would open up the most opportunities for you, this is it. My team is fully trained in support for Illustrator (we aren't able to offer tech support for other software).

If you're ready to learn the industry’s go-to tool for professional surface design, Immersion will guide you every step of the way.

While you can use an older version, you may find it challenging to follow along exactly with Bonnie as she works in Illustrator.

We do have students who use older versions each year, but we want to make sure they're comfortable 'translating' the instruction to their version of Adobe, and understand that our support team may not be able to troubleshoot in CS6 or older.

The second half of the course is about collection creation and the business of surface pattern design. Those topics are all relevant and applicable no matter which software you use.

The time commitment varies a bit for everyone, but creatives in all walks of life (full time workers, college students, new mommas, recently retired, etc!) have taken the course and worked through it at their own pace.

If you hope to work through it 'live' (meaning, as it's released), plan on dedicating 1-3 hours each day or 1-2 full days each week. 

Students have lifetime access to their version of the course and the content never expires. You can truly go through it as slowly as you like! You can always join the live calls and stay in touch with the private community by committing just a few minutes each day.

The Immersion Course is an immersive and incredibly comprehensive 8-week course. It's a commitment for those who are serious about turning their passion for design into a career.

Bonnie's other classes are lighter in context (usually 1-2 hours long) and are a great fit for someone who wants to dip their toes into surface design to see what it's all about.

Immersion is magical. There's no other way to put it!

Alumni Heather Schwarm says: "I had already taken all of Bonnie’s other classes when I signed up for her Immersion Course and wasn’t sure if there was that much more she could teach me.  Boy, was I wrong." You can hear from more alumni here. 

To ensure a solid foundation and build community, the Immersion Course is only offered as a full 8 week course.

The course will take you through creating a full collection in real time alongside fellow students, and each module builds on the next as you adapt and refine your own surface design workflow and grow your portfolio. 

One of our favorite questions, because the truth is you really don't have to be able to draw like one might think. There are many professionals who are famous for their doodles and scribbles and others who have learned to solely work within Illustrator. 

Bonnie teaches ways to reference photographs and use foraged and scanned items in your work as well.

The course will teach you how to begin making marks and establish a routine art practice, and in Module 2: Make Motifs you’ll get comfortable building a body of illustrations that reflect your story and style through sketching, painting, and exploring the mediums you love. We're betting you'll be surprised at how well you can draw with a bit of practice!

The Immersion Course has a 14-day 100% money-back guarantee.

Here are the details:

Yes! We are honored to offer a scholarship program each year. Applications are open in January and recipients are announced in early February. You can see them here.

Not at all. Once the Modules are released each week, they’ll be available for you to access at any time right inside your course hub. Students have lifetime access to the course and the content never expires, making it easy for you to dive in when you are able, and revisit as much as you need! The only true ‘live’ component of the course is our Live Q&A sessions. While attending live sessions can be helpful, we understand that it may not be possible for everyone due to time zone differences. That's why we provide access to recordings of all the live sessions, so you can watch them on your own schedule.

Yes! If you’re taking the Immersion Course to start, grow, or maintain a business, you may be able to deduct it as a business expense. Many educational programs related to business and skill development qualify for tax deductions. Be sure to consult a tax professional to confirm how it applies to you!