Meet Natalie Cullen

Before taking immersion, I had spent 10+ years as a web designer and user experience (UX) designer. At the time, I was working at a large insurance corporation. While on maternity leave, I took the leap and started Immersion. I instantly fell in love and something clicked for me. 

I had been day dreaming for years about starting my own creative career but wasn't sure how or what would be the right fit for me and my skill sets. As someone with a background in design, tech and product management, starting my own business in surface pattern design felt like the ideal marriage between creativity, design and business. This revelation led me to take a big leap of faith and bet on myself. 

As a first-time mom and the caretaker of my husband, who is blind, quitting my job felt VERY scary but Immersion gave me the confidence to trust my gut and go after my dreams. Since Immersion, I've started my own surface pattern design business, I've created 4 collections, had several sales on Spoonflower and just landed my first wallpaper licensing deal. Each win has continued to build my confidence. 

In 2026 I plan to start selling products on my own website, continue pitching regularly, consider wholesale and look into setting up a membership of my own. Immersion was the first step I needed to feel confident in myself and my abilities. It gave me the tools, support and motivation to launch my new venture and I could not be more grateful! I'm so excited to say that although running my own business is a lot of work, I've thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it and that makes it all worth it.

If you'd like to learn surface pattern design for any reason, this is hands down the best and easiest way to do it!