Discover how to turn your passion for art into a thriving career.

Illustrator & Surface Pattern Designer, Mel Armstrong, is dedicated to providing you with the skills to build your dream career.

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Take a class

Mel has been a top teacher on Skillshare for over 5 years.  She is now delighted to bring you more individualised and content-packed classes.

The Art & Joy of Surface Pattern Design

Mel's Signature Masterclass

Build a career selling beautiful surface pattern designs.  Learn the ins and outs of Surface Pattern Design by creating a nature-inspired pattern collection using either Procreate,  Photoshop or Illustrator.  This self-paced 6-module course will take you through the creative, technical and business side of Surface Pattern Design.

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The Business of Surface Pattern Design

Nurture your creative dreams by learning how to set up your creative business for success.  This is a short self-paced course designed to help you turn your patterns into a thriving business.

"I highly recommend this course if you are considering going into this field! Mel gives a great overview of Surface Design and lots of practical advice. I will also say the course is nicely designed and very well organized!" - Linda Warner Constantino

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Create Geometric Patterns using Procreate® on the iPad

Learn how to create a number of simple geometric patterns using Procreate® on the iPad.  

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Find your Signature Style as an Artist & Stand Out!

Are you ready to stand out as an artist? Learn how to develop your signature style in just 2 weeks!

Learn my secrets to developing your style and licensing more art with my easy-to-follow simple steps.

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Join my Community!

Are you a...

Surface Pattern Designer

...looking for a community to support and guide you?

Look no further! Our member-based community provides mentorship and resources for artists at all stages of their careers. Whether you're just starting out or already established, our community is here to support you. Connect with other artists who speak your language and share your passion for creating and licensing patterns. Take advantage of industry-leading resources to improve your skills and grow your career. And most importantly, feel supported and encouraged every step of the way.

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Nice to meet you!

Hi! I’m Mel, an illustrator and surface pattern designer from Wellington New Zealand.  I work with clients all over the world illustrating children's picture books and licensing surface pattern designs.  One of my passions is passing on my own knowledge and insight to help other creatives who are on a similar journey.

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Skillshare classes

I am ranked as one of Skillshare’s Top Teachers, putting me in the top 1% of teachers on the platform.  My classes cover a range of topics for Surface Pattern Designers and Illustration from beginners to advanced levels.  Join over 100,000 students who have taken one my classes.  Here are some of my student's favourites.

Paint to Pattern

Turn your traditional artwork into patterns using Adobe Photoshop.

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Illustrate a Children's Book Cover

Learn how to design a Children's Book cover in Procreate

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Surface Pattern Design Fundamentals

Learn the fundamentals of surface Pattern design using Adobe Illustrator.

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Feel free to reach out any time