Meet Katie McEachern

Before starting my journey with Surface Pattern Design, I worked as a product illustrator managing the art department at a wholesale home decor company. However, in 2021, everything changed for me when the company sold, and I lost my job and all the work I had produced during my four years of employment. I was newly divorced, a single mother, and had just closed on a house. I was facing a lot of challenges and uncertainty.

Despite these challenges, I knew I needed to invest in myself and my career, so I decided to take the Immersion course to rebuild my portfolio and improve my Illustrator skills, which were self-taught. I was initially hesitant because of the financial and time commitments involved, but I knew it was the right decision. So, I treated the course like a full-time job and dedicated 30-40 hours per week.

After taking the Immersion course, I gained more confidence in my abilities and started sharing my art online. I also worked with a handful of interior designers on custom patterns, launched a POD Etsy shop, licensed multiple designs on stock websites, and received multiple job offers in the product development field. I've also had the opportunity to contract with wholesalers that produce products for major stores and brands in the home decor and gift space.

Recently, I accepted a new contract position that offers a high hourly rate, time freedom, flexibility, and the opportunity to present my original ideas and trends to clients. Seeing my work "in the wild" continues to be one of my favorite parts of being an artist.

If you're considering the Immersion course, I highly recommend it. Investing in yourself and your skillset is the best decision you can make as a designer. The Immersion course provides the guidance and structure you need to succeed.