Why You Don’t Need to Switch to an iPad to Start Your Surface Design Career
Lately, I’ve been having a lot of free 1-on-1 coaching calls, and the number one topic that comes up is how intimidated artists feel about drawing digitally. Many think they need to change their style and start using an iPad to succeed. But that’s just not the case! It’s something that I felt I had to do when I first started in this career and it took me over A YEAR to figure out how to use Procreate and find my style. You absolutely don’t have to trade in your brushes, pencils, or paints to make your mark. In fact, staying true to your analog roots can give your work a distinct edge in this digitally saturated world. Here’s why and how you can make it work.
1. Digital Tools Mimic Analog Art, But They Can’t Fully Replace It
Programs like Procreate and Adobe Fresco are amazing. They offer tools that mimic the look of hand-drawn and painted art, but they can’t replicate the depth, texture, and natural imperfections that come with analog art. If you love the feel of a paintbrush on paper or the grain of a pencil on your sketchpad, why not continue creating in the way that inspires you most?
Your analog art can be the foundation of a unique style that stands out in the industry. Rather than trying to force your art into a digital mold, embrace what makes it authentically yours.
2. Many Successful Artists Still Work Analog
Plenty of well-known surface designers and illustrators work primarily with traditional media. They paint, draw, and create collages by hand before transitioning their work to a digital format. Analog art is alive and well in surface design and can set you apart with its tactile, organic qualities.
3. Your Art Is Closer to Being Digital-Ready Than You Think
Yes, surface design requires art to eventually become digital, but the transition is simpler than it seems. By scanning or photographing your analog work, you can bring it into programs like Photoshop or Illustrator for adjustments, color corrections, or pattern creation.
Here’s how to start:
Scan at High Resolution: When scanning your work, aim for 600 dpi to capture all the details and ensure a high-quality file for clients.
Work in Layers: Create your analog art in layers where possible. For example, paint motifs and background elements separately. This way, you’ll have more flexibility to rearrange and manipulate these elements digitally.
4. Tips for Transitioning Analog Art to Digital
If you’re working in traditional media, here are some strategies to make your transition to surface design seamless:
Think Modular: Design individual elements (e.g., flowers, shapes, or icons) separately. These can be scanned individually and layered into patterns digitally.
Learn Digital Packaging: Familiarize yourself with how to package your art files for clients. This includes cleaning up scans, organizing layers, and saving in formats that are print-ready and easy to work with.
Color Accuracy Matters: Test your scanned artwork to ensure colors remain true to the original. You may need to tweak color settings in your scanner or edit them in Photoshop.
5. Brush Up on Client-Ready Skills
Creating beautiful analog art is just the first step. To succeed in surface design, you also need to:
Understand how to build repeat patterns.
Create presentation-ready mockups to showcase your designs on products.
Package your files professionally, including layered Photoshop files or vectorized elements for clients.
6. Analog Artists Bring Something Unique to the Table
By sticking with your analog tools, you’re bringing something genuine and unique to the surface design industry. While others may rely solely on digital methods, your hand-crafted approach can stand out and resonate deeply with clients who value authenticity and texture in design.
Starting a career in surface design doesn’t mean you need to trade your sketchpad for an iPad. Analog art can be a powerful foundation for a successful surface design business. With a little know-how in scanning, layering, and packaging your art for clients, your traditional media creations can seamlessly transition into the digital world. Remember, the tools you use are just a medium — your creativity is what truly sets you apart. So, grab your brushes, pencils, or paints, and start creating!
By the way have you heard about my 8 week course, Moodboard to Market? We’ll dive deep into how to create marketable art that sells. You’ll learn how to create art collections that sell and how to present and pitch your work to land your dream clients. It’s time to take your surface design career to the next level!
