Another Surface Pattern Design Community’s Facebook challenge winner! Today I'm excited to share with you an interview I did with week 4 winner, Marta Munte Vidal. For the transportation challenge, Marta harnessed her background in children's book illustration to create a really cute pattern filled to the brim with details.

Read below to learn more about Marta. Enjoy!

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

I really loved to draw as a child and spent a lot of time doing it, but when I went to school I opted to focus on science. It seemed more serious, and like a smarter choice, so I set my drawings aside. At the age of 15 I thought I was "too old" to change directions and pursue my passion so I continued down the path and even studied biology at university for one year.

Fast-forward several years. When I turned 30 I was working as a web page designer but still thinking of my love for drawing. I decided to go back to school to learn illustration. After a year, I left my job to dedicate myself full-time to my passion, to illustrate children books.

I have been an illustrator for almost 15 years. About 4 years ago, by chance, I was introduced to the world of pattern design. I found a course by Bonnie Christine on Creativelive. It was one of the best courses I've ever done and completely changed my career. I realized with full certainty that I wanted to be surface pattern designer.

I did a bit of research and found Lila Rogers' Make Art That Sells online courses. The courses were great and encouraged me to continue learning. Make it in Design was the next step...I signed-up for all four modules.

All those courses gave me the confidence to believe in me so I opened a Spoonflower shop with my patterns. Since then I have been working to find my place in this amazing world. I continue to take classes, to defining my style and to grow my portfolio.

How would you describe your style? What makes your work unique?

My background is in children's books illustration, so when I design a pattern I like to add little details to the scene to tell a story. I love drawing cute, quirky and friendly characters that emphasize my fun, fresh and clean style. I am passionate about color and enjoy creating vibrant palettes with a vintage feel.

I always begin my illustrations with a pencil and a piece of paper and then continue on with Illustrator and Photoshop. While the computer is a necessary tool, I make sure my drawings do not lose their handmade essence by using textures on my patterns a keeping hand-drawn imperfections.

How did you approach the transportation design challenge?

I wanted to create a pattern that highlighted different forms of transportation you would find in a city. Here's my process:

First I did a list of the motifs I wanted to appear in the pattern, like an old gasoline pole, a fire hydrant, etc. Then I did a list of animals and vehicles. I always spend a lot of time thinking about motifs, identifying one or two that will make my pattern unique.
Then I spent some time drawing a bunch of different motifs and did a 'casting' to choose the actors.
I continued redrawing them on Illustrator and Procreate and created the pattern in Illustrator.
Finally, I settled on a color palette. This is always the most difficult part for me and I usually spend way too much time on it because the possibilities are endless and sometimes it is difficult for me to get focused.

What are your goals for the future?

At the beginning of 2018 I joined Dot & Flow Studio and we will be exhibiting our work at Blueprint this May. This is my first time showing at a trade show and I am very excited for this great opportunity. If all goes well (I hope so) I would like to continue creating new patterns with my colleagues from the studio.

I also want to give a boost to my Etsy store and Spoonflower shop by adding new products and promoting them on social media.And last but not least, I am excited for a new project I have been working on. The last few months I have been learning embroidery and hope to start selling my first embroidery kit soon.

What would you like your colleagues and the design world to know about you and your work?

It’s never too late to start doing what you are really passionate about. It took me 30 years to realize this, so I think all of us must pursue our dreams even if sometimes we feel frustrated and insecure. Being focused and persistent is the trick.

Be connected with other designers through facebook groups like SPDC. It’s a great way to not feel alone. And sign-up for workshops to improve your portfolio...they can push you to create art that you had never imagined.

I really love this work and hope it makes people feel happy when they buy my designs on a greeting card, a cushion or a piece of fabric.

Can you tell us a few fun facts about you?

I have an endless collection of pencils, and can’t begin a new drawing without my H3.
I can spend all day inside a stationary shop.
I love traveling to other countries where I can experience different cultures and taste different flavors.
I am a fan of handmade workshops and I would love to have two or three different lives at the same time so I could do them all.

Marta Munte Vidal logo

Want to see more of Marta’s work?

You can connect with her on Instagram or via her website. You can also visit her Spoonflower and Etsy shops.

SPCD week 4 challenge winner: Marta Munte Vidal