Print Life Podcast: For Surface Pattern Designers

Leslie Kenehan
  • 4.9 (22)
  • Visual Arts
  • Weekly

The Print Life Podcast is for surface pattern designers who want to design and sell prints for the fashion industry. Host Leslie Kenehan, an art director and print designer with over 15 years of experience in fashion, shares practical advice for building a textile and print design career: how to pitch fashion brands, sell exclusive artwork, build a portfolio that gets noticed, find and keep clients, and price your work with confidence.Whether you're freelancing, working in-house at a print studio or brand, or just getting started in surface pattern design, you'll hear honest solo episodes and conversations with fellow designers about creativity, sales, marketing, and the mindset it takes to grow a sustainable creative business.Resources and more at https://printlife.io/

  1. Oct 12

    134: Artist Interview: ~ Erin Lever: Building a Freelance Fashion Print Design Career

    How do you turn a passion for print design into a freelance business? In this episode of The Print Life Podcast, freelance fashion print designer Erin Lever joins Leslie to share her journey from studying printed textile design to creating bespoke prints for fashion brands around the world. From internships in London and Stockholm to an in-house role and eventually full-time freelancing, Erin explains how each experience helped her develop the creative versatility and industry knowledge she brings to her work today. Together, they explore the creative process behind fashion print design—from photocopying flowers to combining hand painting, Procreate, and Photoshop—and why you don’t need to render everything perfectly to create compelling prints. Erin shares how working with print studios and attending client meetings helped her understand fashion trends, what buyers want, and how artwork moves from an initial idea to a finished product in stores. They also dig into the business side of freelance textile design: finding clients, building repeat business, raising rates, and establishing clear contracts, deposits, and boundaries. Erin explains how sharing experimental process videos on Instagram and TikTok became a way to attract clients while making space for creative play. Whether you’re exploring fashion print design or ready to take your freelance business more seriously, this conversation offers a candid look at building a career through passion, persistence, and professionalism. In this episode Erin’s path from textile design student to full-time freelance fashion print designer.How studio internships and an in-house role strengthened her creative and technical skills.Creating prints through experimentation, hand painting, Procreate, and Photoshop.Understanding fashion trends and designing for different brands and briefs.Finding freelance clients through outreach, industry connections, and social media.Why raising rates, requiring deposits, and setting clear boundaries changed her business.Balancing client work with personal experimentation—and finding inspiration in travel, quiet, and boredom.Stay Connected: The Print Life Community: https://printlife.io Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/printlifeofficial/ Stay Connected: The Print Life Community: https://printlife.ioFollow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/printlifeofficial/

  2. Oct 6

    133: Artist Interview ~ Elizabeth Olwen: Color, Art Licensing, and Trusting Your Creative Voice

    What does it take to build a creative career that feels true to you? In this episode of The Print Life Podcast, artist and surface pattern designer Elizabeth Olwen joins Leslie to talk about art licensing, developing a signature style, and staying connected to your creativity as your career evolves. Known for her colorful patterns and playful approach, Elizabeth shares her journey from graphic design to licensing her artwork—and how moving from Canada to Lisbon opened up new space for creative exploration. Together, they explore the role of color and intuition in surface pattern design, how a recognizable visual style can help build an artist’s brand, and why making room for experimentation matters. Elizabeth also shares how The Artist’s Way, morning pages, and solo creative retreats helped her reconnect with painting and embrace her identity as an artist, leading to her first solo exhibition. Whether you’re starting a surface pattern design business, exploring art licensing, or rethinking your creative direction, this conversation offers an honest look at balancing artistic fulfillment with a changing industry. You’ll hear Elizabeth’s perspective on moving beyond social media pressure, reaching clients directly, and keeping personal storytelling and human connection at the heart of your work in the age of AI. In this episode Elizabeth’s transition from graphic designer to surface pattern designer and licensing artist.How color and a distinctive visual language helped shape her creative brand.Why life in Lisbon changed her creative process in unexpected ways.Reconnecting with play, painting, and intuition through morning pages and The Artist’s Way.Expanding into teaching, creative retreats, and a solo art exhibition.Navigating social media shifts, client outreach, and AI without losing connection to the work.Why Elizabeth sees your relationship with creativity as the foundation of a lasting creative career. Stay Connected:The Print Life Community: https://printlife.ioFollow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/printlifeofficial/Stay Connected: The Print Life Community: https://printlife.ioFollow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/printlifeofficial/

  3. 09/16/2025

    132: One Small Habit That Can Transform Your Surface Pattern Design Career

    If you’ve ever felt like you’re spinning your wheels—trying to update your portfolio, pitch to clients, post on social media, and somehow still find time to create—this episode is for you. Today I’m sharing how I’ve built real momentum in my surface pattern design business… not by doing more, but by doing less—more consistently. I’ll walk you through how one simple micro habit completely changed the way I pitch, how I use this same approach to nurture clients at The Print Book, and why building self-trust through small actions is the real secret to building confidence as a designer. By the end of this episode, you’ll know how to: Choose one big focus that matters most right nowReverse-engineer it into a small, doable daily habitBuild confidence and momentum by keeping small promises to yourselfYou don’t need to overhaul your entire business to make progress. You just need to start small, stay consistent, and let those tiny steps stack over time. ✨ Stay Connected: The Print Life Community: https://printlife.ioFollow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/printlifeofficial/

  4. 08/25/2025

    131: The Power of Choice: How to Build a Creative Life That Flows

    Control is an illusion—but intention? That’s where your real power lies. In this episode, I’m sharing a vulnerable reflection on how life threw me off course and what it taught me about creative flow, focus, and letting go of the hustle. If you’ve been juggling multiple projects, feeling scattered, or telling yourself “I just need to do more,” this episode is your permission slip to pause and choose what actually matters. We talk about: The difference between control and intention (and how knowing that changes everything)Why staying busy feels safe—but keeps you stuckThe surprising freedom that comes from choosing one clear path (just for now)What to do when life pulls you off track—and how to come back with graceIf you’ve been craving creative clarity and direction, I hope this episode feels like a breath of fresh air. It’s okay to slow down. It’s okay to change your mind. And it’s powerful to choose again—with purpose. Stay Connected: The Print Life Community: https://printlife.ioFollow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/printlifeofficial/

  5. 06/02/2025

    130: Permission to Be In Progress — Jesse Rae Akin on Prints, Motherhood, and Letting Yourself Take Things Slow

    This week, I had the joy of sitting down with Jesse Rae Akin, a print designer and new mama navigating creativity in the middle of life’s most tender transitions. We talk about how she discovered surface pattern design almost by accident, what it’s been like balancing art with early motherhood, and how she’s finding rhythm in the messiness. Jesse shares honestly about fear, feedback, and forging your own pace in a world that feels constantly rushed. A beautiful reminder that we’re allowed to take our time—and that beauty doesn’t require perfection. In this episode, we explore: Falling into surface pattern design (and staying for the joy)How new motherhood reshapes your creative time and energyThe pressure of pitching your work and the power of just startingLearning to trust your hand, even when a brief feels like pressureThe emotional boost of a good dress and a beautiful print🧡 To connect with Jesse Rae Akin: If you’d like to follow along on Jesse's journey or reach out, you can find her here: www.jesseraeakin.com www.instagram.com/jesseraeakin https://www.linkedin.com/in/jesseakin/ Stay Connected: The Print Life Community: https://printlife.ioFollow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/printlifeofficial/

    130: Permission to Be In Progress — Jesse Rae Akin on Prints, Motherhood, and Letting Yourself Take Things Slow

  6. 05/26/2025

    129: Start With the Artist – Style Before Strategy

    We’re digging into the stage of the creative process most designers skip — the part where your actual style gets formed. Whether you're licensing, selling on Spoonflower, or pitching agents — rushing into repeat patterns and mockups without honoring your artist phase can leave your work feeling disconnected, no matter how good it looks. In this episode, we’ll cover: Why your signature style doesn’t come from finishing prints — but from what happens beforeThe real difference between the artist and the designer (and why you need both — separately)How to create the space your creative voice needs to fully emergeWhat to do if your portfolio looks finished but doesn’t feel alignedHow to spot which season you're in — and where to focus nextWhether you're still discovering your style or revisiting it for the tenth time, this is your reminder: you don’t need to start over. You just need to dig in a little deeper. Stay Connected: The Print Life Community: https://printlife.ioFollow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/printlifeofficial/

  7. 05/19/2025

    128: Voice Before Visibility - Why Your Style and Message Matter More Than Your Metrics

    If you’ve been spinning your wheels trying to do all the things (more posts, more platforms, more pitching), this one’s for you. We talk about: Why clarity around your voice is more powerful than chasing metricsHow to identify your unique point of view through your art and processWhat clients really want to see in your workA 90-day focus shift that could change everythingA simple journaling exercise to strengthen your style and brandThe Print Life Membership – Where Design Meets Direction → https://printlife.io/ Stay Connected: The Print Life Community: https://printlife.ioFollow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/printlifeofficial/

  8. 04/29/2025

    127: Before You Burn It All Down: Is It Burnout or Misalignment?

    If everything in your creative business feels heavy or overwhelming, it doesn’t always mean you’re burnt out — sometimes, it’s a sign you’re ready for a realignment. In today’s episode, we’re talking about the moments when things feel out of sync — and how to reconnect with your true creative identity before making big changes. We’ll cover: How to recognize when you’re ready for a shiftWhy simplifying your focus can reignite your creativityThe power of authentic connection in building a sustainable businessHow to move forward from a place of clarity, not confusionThis episode is a soft reset — a mindset shift to help you simplify, refocus, and step into your next season with confidence. Stay Connected: The Print Life Community: https://printlife.ioFollow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/printlifeofficial/

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Ratings & Reviews

4.9
out of 5
22 Ratings

About

The Print Life Podcast is for surface pattern designers who want to design and sell prints for the fashion industry. Host Leslie Kenehan, an art director and print designer with over 15 years of experience in fashion, shares practical advice for building a textile and print design career: how to pitch fashion brands, sell exclusive artwork, build a portfolio that gets noticed, find and keep clients, and price your work with confidence.Whether you're freelancing, working in-house at a print studio or brand, or just getting started in surface pattern design, you'll hear honest solo episodes and conversations with fellow designers about creativity, sales, marketing, and the mindset it takes to grow a sustainable creative business.Resources and more at https://printlife.io/

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