Meet Amelia Bown

I cannot believe I did not know surface pattern design was an industry. I have spent eighteen years since earning my Masters in Illustration from the University of Derby trying to find my creative place. Nothing ever felt like the right fit and it often felt like a battle despite my determination.

Even working full time around my kids as a printmaker, which became my favorite of all my creative endeavors, was an uphill climb. It required so much of my time and family time with very little return. But when I came across Bonnie Christine’s Pattern Week at the beginning of 2025, I knew instantly that this was the creative industry I had been searching for. It felt like the place where my creative voice finally belonged.

So much about it aligned with the way I work, the way I like to work and my dream of sharing the beauty of the world with others. After talking with my family, we all agreed this was the right creative path for me. I took the leap and invested in myself and I am so grateful I did.

I have learned not to be my own hurdle anymore, which is a huge shift. My favorite part is seeing my work turn into a beautiful pattern. Imagining it on different products and seeing it in mockups is the best feeling in the world. I cannot wait to see it happen out in the real world. I now have three pattern collections that I love and a portfolio website that I am preparing to pitch to the industry.