Today I'm excited to share with you an interview I did with Mahira Murad. Mahira is a surface pattern designer who has been in the field for decades. She has a lot of great info to share with us about making it as a newbie freelancer. A great read with helpful tips.And join us next week when Mahira will share with us how she incorporates shibori into her art. Enjoy!

Hi Mahira! Please tell us a little bit about your background as an artist and how you got into surface pattern design.

From the start, I knew I was destined to be a textile artist. I belong to a family of craft lovers. I grew up watching my grandmother crafting using recyclables and/or found objects..it was truly a feast for the eyes of an 8-year-old. Then there was my Mom who was a noteworthy embroidery artist and was awarded a medal in the 1950s for exceptional work at her embroidery college. Last but not least, my Dad was a merchant of hand-knotted silk carpets. I learned a lot from him and grew up loving colors, patterns, fabrics, yarns and of course carpets.

In high school I did not have a very inspiring art teacher. But because of my own interest in the arts, I ended up being the art director of my high school magazine. After high school I started applying to art colleges in United States and was accepted to Moore college of Art and design. I was awarded a scholarship based on my ‘outstanding portfolio’. While there I did a textile internship at a company called ‘Eagles Eye’ where I was awarded a merit award for my outstanding work. The president told me I was the first intern to receive it. It was very encouraging ....

After graduation I returned home to Pakistan and started a home-based business. I exhibited my woven work at a few solo art shows and painted yards of fabric from home featuring my patterns. My fabric sold out the first day...it was very exciting and I was interviewed by a local fashion magazine. I also worked for a well-known, local Men’s fashion Designer. I hand-painted and printed neckties and went on to design corporate ties for hotel chains and big multinational companies. My product-based freelance business grew from there.

What is your style and how has it changed over time?

I have always been inclined towards making detailed drawings. Although over time my style has evolved to incorporate more gestural, soft strokes that capture the essence of my subject.

My creative process, even today, is about marrying the two together to create my signature style. Basically, I create structured surface patterns and then incorporate shibori into them.

I believe the shibori technique adds a third dimension to my products. In fact, after working on various dyeing techniques to perfect my shibori look I arrived at one that is now my signature style.

What challenges have you faced as a designer?

I was very naive when I graduated from college and started working as a textile artist. It was 1987 and back then I had no clue about business or how to be a freelancer. I worked for a short time hand-painting neckties for an upcoming fashion designer. I had no idea how much to charge but quickly realized after several months that I was being underpaid. I had been so excited to get work, and loved designing the neckties, so I never really thought through the compensation aspect of freelance work.

However, trouble started when I requested my name be visible on the product as the artist. It was agreed upon, but then my name was sneakily cut off/or hidden in a seam on every product. This upset me tremendously. I felt cheated.

The next thing I knew my hand painted ties were in the newspaper under this designers banner and were not sold locally, but internationally in England. I realized I was definitely being paid way less than I should be for my hard work. After asking around I found it was true and felt real stupid.

It took me awhile to smarten up, but then I did start my own home-based freelancing business taking on several small contracts. I worked hard to get my name out there and met some genuine and some not so genuine clients. That was the biggest challenge for me as a new textile designer... trying to know and understand which are the good clients, and how to manage them. Luckily, my business was a success and I went on to work on orders from large clients.

How would you suggest new freelance designers go about pricing their work?

These days there is a lot more awareness about pricing and it is easier to find about what’s a fair price for your work. Back then there were no computers, so you had to find people to ask and do a lot of hands-on research. It would take a lot of time.

Artist today have an advantage with all this information right at their finger tips. They can find information about pricing and guidance on how to protect their work right from the comfort of home. I wish I had this advantage back then but it’s never to late to use this technology to protect your artwork and business.

Pricing your work is also about knowing the client and the market where you will be selling your work. Do your research and homework before setting a price. There are a lot of surface pattern designers out there, so think about how your work can offer something unique and different.

Any tips for finding clients?

I think it depends on what you are selling. If a textile artist is only working on surface pattern designs then the best approach is to start small and email or arrange an appointment to show your portfolio to potential clients in your local area. I did this, and also participating in local trade shows so that people could see my hand-made products. Finally, I approached high-end boutiques, many of which ended-up carrying my shibori scarves and tunics.

It requires a lot of leg work but that’s what it takes. You won't always be successful, but you have to keep trying. I live in Calgary, Canada, now and continue to do all of the above along with goal setting every few weeks.

Can you tell us your plans for the future?

This year I’m showing my products at a Canadian trade show called ‘Make it’ that focuses on handmade products. I will be selling kitchen textiles and home decor items. These products are all hand-printed, hand-dyed and hand-woven.

Also, I’m working on a collection of surface pattern designs inspired by the tile work of mausoleums and mosques built during the 17th-18th century in cities of Pakistan. Once I complete the patterns, I will have them digitally printed on cotton lawn and sold next summer as yardage fabrics in Pakistan.

Want to see more of Mahira's work?

Success as a freelancer with Mahira Murad