Meet Emily Sontag

Immersion was the driving force behind me reaching a point where I felt empowered enough in my knowledge of surface pattern design to actually start making an income from my design work. It provided the foundation I needed to (re)learn Illustrator and create a business. I never expected Immersion to change my life, but honestly, it did just that. Not only did it provide me with the technical foundation to create successful pattern designs and help me lay out an actionable plan on how to turn that art into income, but it also gave me the confidence, community, and support I needed to have the belief in myself that I could succeed! 

When I started Immersion, one of the things I was most hesitant to do was to create an Instagram account for my design work. Bonnie's consistent cheering on to "show your work" gave me the courage to do it, and it has been one of the most rewarding aspects of this journey: I have 1400 incredibly supportive followers and the account serves as a wonderful way for me to "test the market" and gauge the success of my designs. It was also through Instagram that I was contacted about my first collaboration! 

Since Immersion, I went from making art just for fun to creating a large body of design work that includes six complete pattern collections. I formed an LLC and got the legal and financial sides of the business set up. I started a Society 6 shop, collaborated with an online interior decor site, and I am diligently working on my website. When I look at where I was a year ago before Immersion, when I was frustrated and a bit lost, I am absolutely thrilled with where I am now.