All over U

Sample patterns from Melissa Watt's online portfolio.

It is always nice to hear from readers and discover how the magazine inspires them in ways I couldn't have imagined. Recently, Melissa Watts from the UK got in touch. She was one of the 100 artists included in the UPPERCASE Surface Pattern Design Guide earlier this year in issue #21.

Melissa writes, "I'd just like to thank you again for choosing me to be part of the Surface Pattern Guide earlier this year. You'll be pleased to know that one of my three designs featured, has recently been purchased by a Belgium baby wear company, which is my first pattern sale and a big thrill for me (I haven't actually properly launched myself as a pattern designer yet so it was a lovely bonus/surprise). They had actually seen the guide and kept me in mind for their A/W 15 range."

"Whilst I was learning surface pattern design earlier in the year, I was playing and experimenting a lot. It didn't matter what it was—I would just play. This is where UPPERCASE came in. I had, at this point discovered your magazine and couldn't help myself take your logo....and play!"

I'm so happy that UPPERCASE inspired Melissa to experiment... and led to her first licensed surface pattern.