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Mel Armstrong

Why some creatives thrive (and others always feel behind)

Published 10 days ago • 1 min read

Hi Reader,

We're told that creative success comes down to talent. Or going viral. Or landing that one big break that changes everything.

After 13 years in this industry, I think that's mostly a lie.

What I've seen in my own career, and in the careers of the designers and illustrators I teach, is that it comes down to habits. Small, consistent, often unglamorous habits that most people overlook because they don't make for a good Instagram caption.

I just published a new video where I share the 9 habits that have genuinely shaped my creative practice:

9 Habits to Actually Get Ahead as a Creative in 2026.

A few you might not expect, like why I track my wins in a Notion database every month, why I stopped caring what "real artists" think, and why the best thing I ever did was stop asking why my work hadn't gone viral yet.

I hope it gives you something useful to take into your week.

The Art Licensing Start Guide

Also, before you go, over the years, the question I get asked more than almost any other is some version of this:

"How do I actually get my patterns in front of companies? And what happens when they say yes?"

It's the question that sits right at the intersection of the creative work and the business side of things, and it's the one that stops so many talented designers from ever taking the leap.

I've answered it in YouTube comments, inside my membership community, in emails, and in live Q&As. And every single time, I find myself wishing I could just hand someone a resource that covered all of it properly.

So I made one. 😃

I'm putting the finishing touches on something I'm really proud of, a practical guide to art licensing that walks you through the whole picture. From how to approach companies, to what's actually in those contracts, to how to price your work.

More details coming very soon, so keep an eye on your inbox.

Mel x

My last month's highlight

Cloud9 Fabrics

I'm super excited to see my collection "Whimsical Forest Floor" now up on the Cloud9 Fabrics website. How amazing do the quilts look?

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Mel Armstrong

Illustrator & Surface Pattern Designer

Illustrator, Surface Pattern Designer and online educator empowering others to follow their dream of building an art career.

Read more from Mel Armstrong
Static Layout Syndrome

Hello Reader, There is a specific "aha!" moment that happens when an illustrator transitions into surface pattern design. It’s the moment you realise that a beautiful drawing doesn’t always make a beautiful pattern. In fact, some of the most stunning illustrations fail as repeats because they suffer from "Static Layout" syndrome. You know the look. You have gorgeous motifs, but when they’re put into a repeat, they look like they’ve been frozen in place. They look like a sheet of stickers...

about 2 months ago • 2 min read
Whimsical Forest Floor Fabric Collection

Hello Reader As we jump into March I want to talk a little about pattern collections for licensing. I see it all the time: A designer spends 10 hours on a stunning, intricate floral pattern. It’s a masterpiece! But when they show it to a client, the client asks, 'What else goes with this?' If you don't have an answer, you’re leaving money on the table. In the world of Surface Pattern Design, we don't just sell 'prints'; we sell stories. And a story needs more than one character. To build a...

3 months ago • 2 min read

Hello Reader I hope you're having a wonderfully creative week. Colour is the heartbeat of Surface Pattern Design. A mediocre motif can be saved by a killer palette, but even the most intricate illustration will fall flat if the colours don't harmonise. This is something a lot of us struggle with so I wanted to offer up a few tips. Today, I’m breaking down four pro-level colour tips that have helped me move past "default swatches" and start creating sophisticated, commercially viable designs....

4 months ago • 1 min read