The Professional Creative

• 210. From Vision to Print: The Birth of Pattern Magazine

  We made a bet on beauty, permanence, and the tactile magic of print in a fast-paced, digital-first world, and that bet became Pattern Magazine, a 120-page quarterly print publication designed to inspire, inform, and live on your studio table for years to come. In this episode, I take you behind the scenes of exactly how we brought it to life, from the first spark of an idea to holding the finished magazine in our hands. I share the research that convinced us print is thriving, including how tactile experiences build trust, create emotional connection, and stand the test of time, and why now felt like the perfect moment to bring something slower and deeply human into the world. You’ll hear the full eight-stage roadmap we used, starting with defining the vision and structuring the content into four intentional sections, creating editorial guidelines, budgeting and planning expenses, and choosing the right printer. I talk through the details of working with contributors, designing for print with templates and direction documents, and preparing for a thoughtful launch. You’ll also hear the challenges we faced, from moments of overwhelm to the uncertainty of stepping into an industry we knew nothing about, and the lessons that kept us moving forward: you don’t have to know everything before you start, you just have to care deeply and be willing to learn along the way. If you’ve ever dreamed of creating your own printed piece, whether that’s a magazine, workbook, or other tangible publication, this episode will give you a clear framework to follow and the encouragement to bring your vision to life. And to make it easier, I’m sharing a free resource: our Printing Inquiry Email Template & Vendor List, with the exact email we used to reach out to printers and the list of vendors we contacted. 📒 Episode Notes, Links, & Resources 📒 https://www.professionalcreative.com/blog/210 📝 Read the Transcript 📝 Connect with Bonnie: ▸ ONLINE | http://bonniechristine.com ▸ INSTAGRAM | https://instagram.com/bonniechristine ▸ START SIMPLE IN SURFACE DESIGN | FREE MINI CLASS | https://www.bonniechristine.com/startsimple ▸ FREE SURFACE DESIGN GUIDE | https://www.bonniechristine.com/guide  

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• 209: Why We Created Alumni-Only Perks Inside Pattern+

  From the very beginning of Surface Design Immersion, I've been deeply connected to the students who join us, especially our alumni. Over the years, I’ve watched them transform from curious beginners to confident artists, entrepreneurs, product developers, and educators. Their journey is a source of endless inspiration, and staying in relationship with them has shaped how I serve our community today. In this episode, I walk you through why we built alumni-only features inside Pattern+, our membership program. These additions aren’t meant to exclude. They’re designed to serve more personally, more deeply, and with more intention. As our community grew, we realized that alumni have different needs than brand-new members. They’ve already learned the tools, they speak the language, and they’re ready to build something big. So, we created a space for them to keep going with ongoing coaching, industry insights, and deep peer support. I share the three main touchpoints for our alumni insiders: relaxed, honest monthly coaching sessions, support from our expert Love Squad, and a dedicated community space. These are all simple by design, because simplicity helps maintain meaning and focus. The trust and clarity this structure builds has been transformational, not just for our alumni, but for new members too, who benefit from a space tailored just for them. Whether you run a membership, offer coaching, or serve clients in another way, this episode is packed with insights on how to layer your support and build long-term relationships with your audience. You’ll learn how to meet people exactly where they are, without overwhelming them or watering down the experience. I encourage you to pause and ask, “What does this person need next?” The answers may help you build something truly lasting. 📒 Episode Notes, Links, & Resources 📒 https://www.professionalcreative.com/blog/209 📝 Read the Transcript 📝 Connect with Bonnie: ▸ ONLINE | http://bonniechristine.com ▸ INSTAGRAM | https://instagram.com/bonniechristine ▸ START SIMPLE IN SURFACE DESIGN | FREE MINI CLASS | https://www.bonniechristine.com/startsimple ▸ FREE SURFACE DESIGN GUIDE | https://www.bonniechristine.com/guide  

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• 208: The Blueprint Behind Pattern+: What's Actually Inside

  Pattern Plus was born from a deep desire to create something both simple and profoundly strategic for surface pattern designers. In this episode, I walk you through exactly what’s inside the membership and how it’s helping over 4,000 members gain clarity, save time, and make consistent progress in their businesses, without the overwhelm. I share the core problems we’re solving: the stuck-ness that comes from not knowing what to prioritize, the overwhelm of too many scattered resources, and the time loss creatives often face just trying to figure out what to do next. Here’s a breakdown of what’s included: The Monthly Industry Kit: Practical tools like professional mockups, social media prompts, business templates, and AI tools—delivered monthly to help you work smarter, not harder. The Licensing Brief: A real-world opportunity to pitch your designs to a dream company each month. Even if you don’t submit, working through the briefs strengthens your portfolio and professional skill set. Pattern Magazine: A quarterly digital publication packed with inspiring, strategic content across lifestyle, business, productivity, and creativity. It’s visually stunning and thoughtfully written. Quarterly Trend Reports: 35+ page guides packed with color palettes, themes, motifs, and typography forecasts to spark collection ideas and save hours of research. Monthly Coaching Sessions: Deep-dive conversations with me on the real challenges creatives face, giving you personalized insight and support. I wrap up the episode by zooming out to the bigger picture: how Pattern Plus is helping members reclaim their time, protect their energy, and stay focused on what matters most. It’s not about doing more—it’s about doing the right things. And it’s all organized to meet you where you are, so you can make progress without pressure. Whether you’re building your portfolio, pitching your work, or just trying to stay consistent—Pattern Plus was made for you. I want you to know it’s a toolbox, not a finish line. You get to use it in your own season and at your own pace. 📒 Episode Notes, Links, & Resources 📒 https://www.professionalcreative.com/blog/208 📝 Read the Transcript 📝 Connect with Bonnie: ▸ ONLINE | http://bonniechristine.com ▸ INSTAGRAM | https://instagram.com/bonniechristine ▸ START SIMPLE IN SURFACE DESIGN | FREE MINI CLASS | https://www.bonniechristine.com/startsimple ▸ FREE SURFACE DESIGN GUIDE | https://www.bonniechristine.com/guide  

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• 207: Flourish to Pattern+: What I Learned by Listening

  Something wasn’t quite right, but it wasn’t obvious. A few familiar names stopped showing up. The community felt quieter. Emails trickled in with kind words and lingering overwhelm. Rather than dismissing the shift or powering through, I chose to pause and truly listen. In this episode, I take you behind the scenes of how that pause sparked one of the biggest transformations we’ve ever made: the shift from Flourish to Pattern+. I walk you through the exact steps we took to uncover what our members truly needed and how we redesigned our entire membership from the ground up as a result. We talk about the power of feedback, the courage it takes to make change, and the beauty of creating something new that better serves the people it’s intended for. I share the kinds of questions we asked, the themes that emerged (hello, overwhelm), and how we distilled that into a membership rooted in simplicity, clarity, momentum, and connection. If you’ve ever felt like something in your business isn’t clicking or wondered what to do when people walk away, this episode is for you. Remember that real success doesn’t come from building more; it comes from building better. 📒 Episode Notes, Links, & Resources 📒 https://www.professionalcreative.com/blog/207 📝 Read the Transcript 📝 Connect with Bonnie: ▸ ONLINE | http://bonniechristine.com ▸ INSTAGRAM | https://instagram.com/bonniechristine ▸ START SIMPLE IN SURFACE DESIGN | FREE MINI CLASS | https://www.bonniechristine.com/startsimple ▸ FREE SURFACE DESIGN GUIDE | https://www.bonniechristine.com/guide  

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• 206: The Power of a Press Kit

  A small, thoughtful press kit turned out to be one of the most impactful tools we brought to our latest licensing trade show. In this episode, I’m sharing how this tiny detail—something we nearly overlooked—sparked major conversations, opened unexpected doors, and ultimately stole the show. We were deep in the chaos of pre-show preparation, ironing, assembling, and punching holes for this little piece of collateral when we began to wonder if it would even be worth it. But it absolutely was. More than any other part of our setup, the press kit is what people remembered, what they held onto, and what they took back to their teams. Inside this episode, I walk you through the full behind-the-scenes: how we designed it, what made it so effective, and why it was such a powerful tool for building meaningful connection. I also break down exactly what we included, like my personal story, key stats, ways to collaborate, selected work, and clear calls to action, and how you can do the same. Whether you're heading to a trade show, pitching collaborations, or simply want a standout asset to share digitally, a press kit can help you make an unforgettable first impression. Here’s what makes it so powerful: • It tells your story clearly and concisely in your voice. • It includes relevant, warm, approachable stats. • It highlights ways to collaborate. • It showcases your best work in a curated, beautiful way. • It invites people to stay in touch with clear, accessible contact info. I encourage you to create your own. Start in a simple document, then have fun designing it. Thoughtfulness speaks louder than scale, and simplicity often tells a clearer, more compelling story. Don’t underestimate the small tools; they just might carry the most power. 📒 Episode Notes, Links, & Resources 📒 https://www.professionalcreative.com/blog/206 📝 Read the Transcript 📝 Connect with Bonnie: ▸ ONLINE | http://bonniechristine.com ▸ INSTAGRAM | https://instagram.com/bonniechristine ▸ START SIMPLE IN SURFACE DESIGN | FREE MINI CLASS | https://www.bonniechristine.com/startsimple ▸ FREE SURFACE DESIGN GUIDE | https://www.bonniechristine.com/guide    

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