Working in Collections

Hey there!

As I continue to work on my current surface design collection (sneak peeks to come soon!), I’ve been thinking about my history working in collections.

Ever since I came to learn about surface design as a career and industry, I’ve known how important it is to create a cohesive collection of artwork. Prior to jumping into this field, I was creating mainly one-off designs. I would sit down in front of a piece of paper or my iPad and ask myself what I wanted to draw and just create whatever came to mind.

Surface design pushed me to think about creating differently. Instead of making one-off drawings, you’re encouraged to come up with a story or theme and create multiple pieces of art for it.

Even though I know this, over the past three years I’ve found myself not working in this way at all. It’s strange because even before I knew what surface design was, working in collections came naturally to me.

For example, the very first set of products I released after opening my business was a collection of art prints.

This was when I was still into character illustrations, and I created this set of five ladies mixed with various florals.

Without even realizing it, I kept going with that collection-based thinking. At the end of the same year, I self-published my very first art book. 😳

That was, by far, the most vulnerable project I ever worked on. It’s a collection of the work I created throughout 2022, unfiltered and in chronological order. The idea was to show the ups, downs, and wild turns I took as a creative that year. It included style and aesthetic shifts and constant changes in skill level.

Shortly after releasing that book was when I started to learn about surface design and the importance of collections. I thought, “Hey, I’m already kind of doing that!” And then I proceeded to crazily overthink my process and almost never do it again. 😬

So as I work on my current collection, I’m trying to stay really present in the process. Notice where resistance comes up, sit through the discomfort, and coach myself through it all.

I think the main reason I find collection creation to be so challenging is because I have to sit with the work for so long.

When I create a one-off design, I can come up with an idea and finish the art in a few hours, sometimes even faster.

But collection work requires me to go deep. I spend days collecting inspiration and sketching ideas. As I start finessing the motifs, I sometimes have to go back and re-work things I’ve already done multiple times to bring every piece up to the same level.

And then there’s the messy middle, a stage I experience with every collection. It’s the moment where I’m 20 hours into a project, I zoom out to get a big picture view, and I’m like…what the f*ck was a thinking?

The only way to get out of that feeling is to move through it and trust that it will all come together in the end. I’ve experienced it a dozen times now and I still struggle when I get there. But when I finally get to the other side, it feels so good. I usually wind up with something I’m pretty proud of, and when I’m not proud of it, I at least learn a lot.

So I’m recommitting myself to collection work. I’m going back to my roots and working in the way that some part of me deep inside always knew was fun and satisfying, even though it’s challenging and vulnerable.

I’m going to make a huge mess and learn a lot, but in the end, it’ll be worth it.

Along the way, I want to share these collections with you in any way that I can. Both through this newsletter and in physical form when possible.

And I’m starting today! Remember that first ever art book I mentioned earlier? I have some copies available to purchase. If you’d like to own a piece of one of the earliest milestones in my collection journey, you can grab a copy today.

The physical edition ships to the U.S. only with free shipping, but if you’re outside of the U.S. (or just prefer digital) you can pick up the e-book version as well.

The work that started it all! Step into my year of 2022 where I created over 40 character-driven illustrations and collected them all into this color-rich, softcover book. I included sketches and line work along with many of the illustrations so you can see the process that goes into each piece.

While supplies last. Physical books ship to the United States only and include free shipping.

Not in the U.S. or prefer digital? Get the e-book here!

Buy Now

I’m excited to add more to my product collection in the future!

Thanks for reading. Talk soon!

Rachel