From Pretty to Profitable: How to Make Your Surface Designs Sell
Have you poured your heart into creating stunning surface designs, but your sales just aren't reflecting your talent? Don't worry, it happens to the best of us! Sometimes, even beautiful designs can miss the mark due to subtle mistakes.
This blog post dives into some common design choices that might be hindering your surface design sales. By recognizing and rectifying these areas, you can ensure your art resonates with customers and start catching the eye of new clients too!
Common Design Mistakes Holding Back Your Surface Patterns:
• Illegible Text: While incorporating text into your patterns can be trendy, ensure the chosen font is clear and readable at all times, especially when shrunk on a product.
• Theme Confusion: A clear and cohesive theme is key! Does your design evoke a specific feeling (e.g., calmness, playfulness) or tell a story? Customers connect with designs that have a defined identity.
• Seasonal Mismatch: Understanding seasonal trends is crucial. Are you using vibrant summer colors in the middle of winter? Consider offering variations with color palettes that align with current seasons. If it’s a non-traditional subject use a traditional color palette, if it’s a traditional subject feel free to play with a non-traditional color palette.
• Ignoring Market Saturation: Certain styles or motifs might be oversaturated. Research current trends and see if your designs offer a unique twist or cater to an under-represented niche.
• Neglecting Usability: Consider how your designs and patterns will be applied. Intricate details might get lost on smaller products, while large, bold patterns may overpower homeware. Design with functionality in mind.
Tips for Creating Surface Designs that Sell:
• Know Your Target Audience: Who are you designing for? Understanding their preferences and needs is essential for creating designs that resonate.
• Maintain Cohesiveness: Develop a design library with recurring elements (textures, patterns) to build a recognizable style and theme across your collection.
• Versatility is Key: Offer variations of your designs in different layouts, scales and type treatments to cater to a wider range of customer preferences and products.
• Embrace White Space: Don't overcrowd your design. Strategic use of white space allows designs to breathe and creates a more visually appealing product.
• Mock it Up! Visualize your patterns on actual products using mockup templates. This helps identify areas for improvement and ensures your designs translate well in real-world applications.
By being mindful of these design choices and incorporating the helpful tips, you can transform your surface patterns into customer magnets! Remember, beautiful design is just one piece of the puzzle. Strategic thinking and understanding current trends will propel your artwork towards greater success.
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