Today I am thrilled to share with you the work of surface pattern designer, Sam Merrill.

I first came across Sam's work when I saw a pattern she created for her Agatha Christie, poisonous plants collection. I was taken by the art deco style of the pattern and loved that she was using something so unique, so dark and so mysterious as cyanide to inspire her craft. I knew right away I had to interview Sam to find out find out more about her creative process and the role storytelling plays in her work.

Hi Sam, please tell us a little bit about your background as an artist.

I am a trained graphic designer. I landed my first freelance job when a creative director, attending my final university art show, left her business card.She liked my process of using mood boards for projects. I went on to work full-time for that agency for five years. Since then I’ve worked in London (where I am now) and also Melbourne, Australia. Over the years I’ve predominately specialized in packaging design and have developed a love for creating logos. I was a stay-at-home mum for a while and then became a freelance designer working from home to fit work around the school run.

How did you get into pattern design?

I began designing patterns when my Mum mentioned one day that she was looking for nice notecards. I started looking around for some and thought, why don’t I design them? My Mum was born in Cornwall, England, so I created a pattern linked to her heritage. I went on to design another pattern for my Australian mother-in-law. I put a lot of effort into designing packaging for the cards and gave them to the Mums as Christmas gifts. They were very personal presents and the mums loved them.

I enjoyed the pattern design process so much that last year I decided to participate in #the100dayproject on Instagram. I decided it would be a good way to give myself more practice. Though I didn’t make it to 100 patterns – I reached 58 – it was a very rewarding experience. I chose to combine pattern making with my love of movies, creating a pattern each day based on a film (#100daysoffilmpattern).

How would you describe your style and how has it evolved over time?

I create my patterns using repeating vector shapes. I think my process and style is probably a result of my experience designing logos. My most recent set of patterns are very structured with an art deco influence. I'm looking forward to experimenting with a looser style at some point.

I know that you do a lot of research before designing a pattern, and that many of your patterns have stories behind them. Can you tell us a bit more about this?

The research part is enormously important to me. As a graphic designer I always start each of my projects with a strong concept. I tackle pattern design as I would a client’s design brief by researching and writing words first before doing any drawing.

When I started designing greeting cards I used a family member’s place of birth (Cornwall, Scotland and Australia), and the history of that place, as the jumping off point for each pattern. Now I'm working on a set of patterns inspired by the plant-derived poisons Agatha Christie used in her books. Like Christie, I was born in Devon, England, and grew up very close to her holiday home, Greenway. As a young teenager I read her books and avidly watched TV adaptations and films.

I think designing a pattern is like solving a puzzle, though there is never one answer. It can be incredibly frustrating and then suddenly it clicks.I hope that people will be drawn to my patterns initially because they like the design. Then, once intrigued, will want to learn the design background and why I used each shape, style or color in my patterns. I’m really enjoying the Christie patterns, I like the dark, murderous undercurrent running through them. Patterns don’t always have to be happy and pretty, right?

Which of your patterns is your favorite and why?

The Cornish Chough pattern is my favorite because it was the first pattern I turned into a card and was designed for my Mum. I am really happy with the colors and have had it printed on fabric. One day I hope to make a tote bag out of the fabric. However my sewing skills are rather limited. I also really like my Agatha Christie patterns which I've started embellishing with foil details.

What challenges have you faced as a designer?

I think any creative person can get ‘creative wobbles’, which can last a day, a week, maybe even longer. There is fear in every job. I think 'can I come up with something this time?' But fear, to a point, is a good thing with creative work. Whether you’re a writer, a designer, an actor; a bit of fear pushes us creatively. The worst thing we can become is complacent. Unfortunately creative work is not always paid well, and at times, people expect us to work for free. As an industry we have to stick together and show that creativity must be valued (and paid). We can start by nurturing creativity through our children at home and in schools. Without the output of creative people, what a dull and bland world we would live in.

What advice can you give others who are just starting out on this journey?

I would say practice building lots patterns and choose a subject you are passionate about. #the100dayproject on Instagram is a good way of experimenting and connecting with others.

Get out and about and look at the patterns that surround you, other designer’s work and those amazing patterns created by Mother Nature. I’m just starting out in the world of pattern design, and have a lot to learn, but am loving it.

Want to see more of Sam's work?

Website: www.fortyvenus.co.uk

Etsy: www.fortyvenus.etsy.com

Instagram, Twitter, Facebook: @fortyvenus

The Story Behind the Pattern with Sam Merrill