Design Essentials

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Are you an aspiring designer? Would you like to create work that you can sell or publish? Or, are you just keen to explore your own creativity? Whatever your reasons for wanting to design, you may not know where to start. So, this is where the design essentials can help.

I’ve been designing since 2003. Although I had no formal training before I started, I have always been interested in design and art and craft. So, I’ve made it my business to read about design. The articles I’m bringing you here offer you some guidance in finding your own design voice. So, I’ve passed on some of the experience I’ve gained and shared some structure that I hope will help you.

In order to work out what you need and where to start, let me ask you a few questions…

design essentials

What will you find in the design essentials?

I’ve got a lot of material here, which I’ve organised into different sections. So, these cover different aspects of the design process. In order to find the things that are most helpful for you today, let me ask a few questions. You can then see where you need to start.

Of course, you’ll want to keep coming back here to view the new articles (I’m always adding more!). And if you’ve got questions that I haven’t answered yet, then you can use this link to ask me.

You’ll see there is a lot of crossover in this area. So, something that is a design tip, may also be good advice about choosing colours, etc. Basically, this whole section is a good place to browse and seek inspiration.

Are you wondering how to get started?

If you’ve got half an idea – or no ideas at all – how do you start? Well, in the design tips, I offer you a range of articles. These cover practical elements, like how to sketch a beading design if you can’t draw! Or, maybe how to choose the right seed beads for the project you have in mind. Maybe you want to find out about design software?

I’ve also included some more theoretical posts. For example, did you know that design is really a metaphor for life? So, if you can live, you can design! Or perhaps you want to know what are the most popular Festive colour schemes. Or you need some rules for designing flowers with beads.

So, if you’re stuck at the beginning, then have a browse around this section and see if you can find something to help you move forward.

CLICK HERE TO BROWSE THE DESIGN TIPS

 

Do you know how to choose the best materials to make your idea work?

Once you have an idea, the next step is working out what materials to use. Which beads are going to create the effect you want? How many will you need? Should you be stitching or working with wire?

Now, you may start with one idea, try it, find it doesn’t work, then end up doing something very different. But if you’re stuck at that first hurdle, some of the articles in this section may help you to get unstuck.

You can find practical advice like knowing how many beads are in a gram, or knowing which wire is best. You also have articles that will make you think a little more and may help to shape your ideas. So, again, have a browse!

CLICK HERE FOR HELP WITH CHOOSING YOUR MATERIALS

 

Do you have trouble picking bead colours?

A lot of people struggle to pick out bead colours for a project. It doesn’t matter whether you’re trying to design something from scratch, or just trying to come up with a new colour scheme for an existing tutorial. There’s no denying: bead colours are confusing!

So, in this section, you can study everything from basic colour theory to examples of bead colour schemes. Start to find out what works and what doesn’t. Arm yourself with some knowledge so you can make informed decisions that are likely to be more successful.

CLICK HERE TO LEARN ABOUT BEAD COLOURS

 

Can you write up a tutorial?

Once you’ve created your design, that may be all you want to do. Or, you may want to share it with others. Perhaps just with a few friends, or perhaps to publish or sell, or teach. Either way, you’ll need to write a tutorial or beading pattern. So, where do you start? What information should you include? Do you need photos or diagrams or word charts?

These are the kind of questions I’ve answered in this section of the design essentials.

CLICK HERE TO LEARN HOW TO WRITE A BEADING PATTERN

 

How much do you know about copyright?

Now this area is critical if you want to design, or if you want to sell. So, you’ll see it comes up both here in the design essentials, and also in the bead business area.

If you are creating your own designs, you need to be sure you’re not breaking the law in any way. You also need to know how to protect your own work. So, if you want to learn more about copyright, this is the section for you!

CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT ABOUT COPYRIGHT

 

Are you curious about the design process? Or do you want to find some new projects to make?

Interviews with designers who have already gained a good reputation can be really inspiring. You can learn a lot about how they work. Most are generous enough to provide tips to help you out.

And if you’re not interested in designing yourself, then this is just a great way to get to know more beaders’ work. It’s a quick and easy way to check out a designer’s style, then move on to their website if you would like to try something yourself.

CLICK HERE TO READ INTERVIEWS WITH LEADING BEAD AND JEWELLERY DESIGNERS

 

Now, I’m going to be adding a lot more information here, as time goes on. So, you don’t want to miss out! Especially if you’ve asked me a question… So, to be sure you get all the new articles delivered to your inbox (once a month), join my mailing list. You also get a free welcome gift when you sign up.

CLICK HERE TO JOIN THE BETTER BEADER MAILING LIST

4 Responses

  1. Bradley Kathrine says:

    Collated all here! Nice. I can’t stay organized so I like that you can do it for me!

  2. Marlene says:

    Hi,
    Would you still have the pattern Facet (kalmiach),
    From 2013 please that could purchase
    Thank you
    Kind Regards
    Marlene

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