My Design Process
When it comes to create, nature is always
an amazing source
Nature is an inexhaustible source of inspiration. It is present everywhere and its complexity, structure and beauty offer a richness that is both intuitive and deeply human. When seeking inspiration, nature is often the first reference that comes to mind, not only because of its aesthetic power, but because it is universally recognizable and emotionally resonant.
Natural forms, colors and patterns are easily identified in objects and designs and they are commonly associated with positive, calming, and familiar experiences. For this reason, designs that draw from nature tend to create an immediate connection with users, communicating warmth, balance and meaning across cultures.
While nature is not my only source of inspiration, it is often my starting point, particularly floral structures, which I find endlessly engaging. Inspiration does not always require direct contact with the natural environment; it can emerge through visual references such as an illustration, a picture found online or an image discovered in a printed magazine. What matters is the initial emotional response, that first moment of recognition and curiosity.
Once that initial response occurs, the research phase begins. I study the chosen reference, whether a flower, landscape, or natural pattern, by observing its geometry, proportions, repetition, color relationships and structural logic. This research may be immediate or extended over time, depending on the complexity of the form and the clarity of the idea. Sometimes the process unfolds quickly, other times the concept needs to rest before it can be translated into a tangible design.
This combination of intuition and research allows inspiration to move from a fleeting visual impression to a structured, intentional design process, where natural elements are interpreted, simplified, and transformed into woven forms.
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When I am ready, I start working on my digital brain side
To support this process, I work with a set of templates I’ve developed over time or I create a new one when a project requires it. I primarily use Adobe Illustrator to design these nature-inspired patterns and Adobe Photoshop when adjustments are needed, such as refining color relationships, correcting proportions or redrawing missing elements.
The design process is rarely linear. Sometimes the solution appears quickly, other times it involves hours of refinement. While photographic references are extremely helpful, they must be interpreted and simplified, extracting the most distinctive and essential characteristics of the subject. The goal is not to represent a generic flower, but a specific one, in a way that remains recognizable within the constraints of the technique.
When I feel approximately 90% confident in a design, I test the pattern directly on the loom. This step allows me to evaluate the work in terms of scale, clarity, stitch definition and color balance. Based on the results, I often return to Illustrator to refine the pattern further.
Finally, I share the design, usually on Instagram, to gather feedback from my community. I may present two color variations to better understand preferences and responses. This exchange helps inform the final decision: whether to adjust the design, publish it in my shop, archive it for later or set it aside entirely.
This iterative cycle, research, design, testing, and feedback is essential to my creative practice and ensures that each pattern is both intentional and functional.
What I like the most is to take advantage of the best of two worlds: the digital and the handmade
The truth is, most of my pattern designs don’t exist in physical form at first.
Giving them a digital life allows me to experiment quickly, make unlimited adjustments, explore countless color combinations and ultimately deliver a design I am 99% confident will work, leaving that remaining 1% to chance.
Then comes the question of personal taste. I can’t predict what everyone will love, but I know my designs will resonate with some hearts.
The most rewarding part comes later, when I receive pictures of my designs brought to life by my most enthusiastic clients :) Seeing the twists and interpretations they add and how each piece grows beyond what I initially imagined, is truly inspiring, it’s when the work becomes greater than the sum of its parts.