Meet Fiorenza Marani
What you loved most: I loved Bonnie's presence and teaching method. Immersion helped me understand better the process of creating a pattern collection.
Wins: Brand Collaborations, Selling your work online or in stores, Teacher on Skillshare
What would you tell someone....: Talk about it with the people who share the life with you.
After graduating in textile design in 2019 and working as a freelance designer in 2020, I had private clients for graphic design work and custom illustrations. I liked it but felt it was not my favourite kind of work. I wanted to be a pattern designer and build my own brand. When I came across Bonnie Christine and the Immersion course in January 2021, I felt that maybe taking this course would help me start working for my goals. It felt almost too good to be true, but I loved her presence, her voice, and the content of the course. After watching the free Mini Course, I fell in love with Bonnie's teaching methods. She was explaining surface pattern design more clearly than any course I had taken before and showing that success was possible.
It took me many days to decide to register due to the investment. I was suspicious when alumni said it changed their life, but watching Bonnie teach, studying the course content, and seeing that it combined Illustrator with how to run a business helped me take my final decision.
After taking Immersion I felt more motivated and started making art more constantly. I discovered new tools to create patterns and run a business. I felt I had all the skills necessary to start and I still do. I found a community and friends ready to share their knowledge. I learned that skills acquired at home or online are sometimes as good as skills acquired at the university. A skill I cherish is the collection creation process. The collection I created after Immersion was the first one I was really proud of and the first time I really understood the process.
Since completing Immersion in 2021, I opened my business, created my website, and started my own newsletter. I took part in Art and Crafts markets selling my original watercolor paintings, postcards, and greeting cards. I became a Skillshare teacher, opened my Creative Market shop and my Spoonflower shop, and worked as a freelance designer for multiple clients. Thanks to a start up grant from the city of Helsinki, I worked as a creative entrepreneur full time for one year. When I decided to return to traditional work, I began working in a cafeteria where I have been in charge of designing the black boards for each new campaign, and I really like that I am able to be a designer also in my day job.
I recently got married and designed all the infographics for our wedding. I am currently focusing on my Spoonflower shop, uploading new designs constantly and joining the Design Challenges.
