Meet Karen Armstrong Bottorff

Immersion updated and elevated my design skills, taught me Adobe Illustrator, and connected me with a beautiful and supportive creative community. It helped me reclaim my career as a surface designer and has brought me such joy in life. I am grateful to have a job where I get to create the beauty in the world that I want to see.

Before I took Immersion, I was an empty nester who was once a licensed surface designer in the stationery and giftware industries (in the pre-digital age). I was wanting to restart my career and I knew I needed to update my design skills. I had not had any luck learning AI with other online courses and they also did not speak to my creative soul. 

Bonnie spoke to my biggest touchpoint: her belief in me that I could do this. She outlined the course and it offered everything I was looking for. I did not hesitate to jump in and sign up. I really had no idea how big my world was about to become! 

Throughout the course, Bonnie's gentle and knowledgeable voice inspired confidence in me. "One thing a day" became my mantra, and I now had a great big creative community to share my passion with. Since first taking the course, I have consistently worked toward my goals, and through the support of Bonnie, her team, and the Flourish Community, I am now at the point where I can say I am a working surface pattern designer. 

This past year I launched my website and created my portfolio. I have designs available through Spoonflower and I am working on products for my online shop and new collections are in process. 

Immersion taught me how to craft my own unique business and feel confident in my own creative journey. I can say to anyone who is considering taking Immersion, to grab your chance at doing work you love. I can especially speak to those who feel they are too old to do this. Having a purpose in life is important no matter your age. I have reclaimed my purpose, and I am very grateful I did.