Hi Guys - Today I'm featuring Monica Costa Lobo Mota on the blog. She was the Surface Pattern Design Community week 7 challenge winner with her adorable cat pattern. For the challenge Monica drew sweet and playful cats in sweaters with curly little tails.

Read below to learn more about Monica. Enjoy!

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

I have always loved to draw and paint, but chose a different career path. In my free time I continued to painted and started learning Photoshop to edit my paintings.

My surface pattern design journey started about 3 years ago when I discover that I could put patterns onto products. I thought that was amazing and really wanted to learn all I could about it.

I found Make it in Design classes online and decided to go for it. I completed Module 1 and then entered the Make It In Design Scholarship Competition, were I was a runner-up. This gave me the encouragement I needed to continue and pursue my goals. Since then I have completed Module 2 (winning the ABSPD Typography Testimonial Competition), Module 3 and Ultimate Portfolio Builder (where I made the shortlist for the Trade show Competition). All of this gave me the skills to start designing.

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

I think my style is still evolving. I describe it as hand-drawn, sweet, colorful and fun.

How did you approach the cats design challenge?

I started by brainstorming a few ideas and looking for inspiration. My cat served as my model as I sketched in Procreate. Then I exported my sketches to Illustrator, arranged the motifs, created the pattern and chose the color palette.

What are your goals for the future?

I plan to continue designing and building a strong portfolio so I can start approaching clients.I would also love to sign-on and be part of a designers collective.

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

I’m self-taught and that can sometimes be overwhelming. As a designer you really need to love what you are doing.You need to be yourself and, I believe, let your inner artist come out. You will shine if you find your voice, work hard and are persistent.Design classes and Facebook groups can be very helpful on this journey.

Can you tell us a few fun facts about you?

I love aircrafts and know a lot about them.
I love traveling, meeting new people and exploring other cultures.
I love going to the beach and can spend all day in the water

SPCD week 7 challenge winner: Monica Costa Lobo Mota