The Surface Pattern Design Online Courses Boom Is Giving Me the Ick

It feels like so many people are launching surface pattern design courses right now & if I’m honest? Some of it is giving me the ick.

This article was originally published on Substack which you can read & sign up to for free to here.

Because behind the polished branding & paid ads, I’m seeing more & more courses led by beginners or marketers or people without deep, real-world industry experience & that raises a bigger question: what are creatives actually being taught?

As the former co-founder of Make It In Design, I taught over 40,000 students across 100+ countries (this happened in a 13 year period) & I can honestly say: I would never have created a single course without years of real industry experience behind me.

I’m talking about in-house roles, freelance work, building portfolios, licensing products, creating brands, exhibiting at trade shows, product ranges, experience in various market areas, working with agents, studios & clients (big & small), copyright battles, trademarks, understanding manufacturing, campaigns, highs & lows alongside years of formal training.

That depth matters. Not because there’s only one “right” path but because teaching should be grounded in real, lived experience of the industry.

As the MIID platform expanded I thoughtfully collaborated with other highly experienced industry experts to drive a real world curriculum.

Lately, I’m seeing a shift away from this & it’s hard to ignore:

• The promise of instant success
• Complete beginners teaching “their way”
• Savvy marketers stepping into educator roles
• Courses that look beautiful but feel light on substance
• Also watch out for mass affiliate-driven recommendations & sellers who say it can only be done in one type of software

It’s hard not to question what’s driving it.

Other creatives have been speaking about this too & I think it’s worth repeating: if someone is selling a course but can’t clearly show their experience, clients, or tangible work, trust your instincts.

A polished sales page or strong social presence doesn’t automatically equal credibility & it definitely doesn’t guarantee that what’s being taught will translate into real opportunities.

The truth is, it feels like everyone is selling something right now & honestly? It’s part of why I stepped away. There’s just so much noise & too often, it feels like quantity over quality.

This might be a bold take. But if I’m honest, it leaves me feeling disappointed.

More than that, I’m not sure it’s actually helping other creatives & that’s the part that really doesn’t sit right.

So, if you take anything from this post, let it be this:

• Create the work you want to attract
• Stay in your own lane & always be authentically you
• You don’t have to have an agent
• Seasonal products & designs will always be in demand
• Your version of success doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s
• Always pitch thoughtfully
• You don’t always have to have a full collection
• You make your own luck

None of that requires a paid course.

Just consistency, curiosity & a willingness to keep showing up.

I know this might ruffle a few feathers. But I’ve sat on the fence for a long time & I couldn’t ignore the feeling any longer.

P.S. Art by Aruba [Art]work in Progess shared a very insightful & brave Substack article, along with Shannon McNab on Instagram, their courage & honesty inspired my own post.