This month we chat with Teresa Chan of Chan Graphics, who just launched her third collection with us: Safari Dreams. Teresa shares the experiences that inform her design work, from the sweet whimsy of Up, Up and Away to the sophisticated depth of her newest line.

Camelot Fabrics – Please introduce yourself and tell us what you do!

Teresa Chan – My name is Teresa Chan and I have a passion for surface pattern design, creating patterns for fabric, wall paper, stationary, and a number of other surfaces.  I live in the Bay Area with my husband, two kids, two cats, and a golden doodle. I studied Graphic Design and Industrial Arts and have worked in a variety of publishing and packaging roles.  Several years ago, I decided to work on my own, focusing on Graphic Design, but then became obsessed with surface pattern design, which I think is my true calling.  I’m very thankful to have a wide audience for my patterns, and to work with great companies like Camelot who bring my patterns to life.

CF – What inspired you to design your first collections for Camelot – Up, Up & Away; Berry Blossoms; and Safari Dreams?

TC – Up, Up & Away was inspired by childhood memories and my dreams of flying, which came back into my mind in watching the whimsical play of my children.  It captures an imaginative play space that’s very important to me.

Berry Blossoms came to me through work in my backyard garden, in working with our raised beds, which produce all sorts of sweet berries.  Watching the berries grow and their life cycle reminds me of my creative process.

Safari Dreams is about conservation for me. It’s my way of capturing some of the beauty of African wildlife, which is at risk.  It’s my nostalgic tribute to what life should look like on the African savannah, and I hope we preserve the habitat and stop the loss of biodiversity.

CF – Can you tell us a bit about your creative process?  What do you most enjoy?

TC – Creating a pattern has become my meditation, and it brings me spiritual joy. I go into a whole different state of consciousness when I’m creating, and I very pleasantly lose track of time.  I have a set routine to ease myself into the process—after dropping the kids off at school, I go on my morning run with my dog Max, which often is a source of inspiration, observing the various plants or allowing my mind to wander, gently thinking about what I will create next. After I get back, I set up my office space, turn on music, and get work creating the illustration that will form the basis of my pattern.  I love the process and feeling of creating on my Wacom pressure sensitive tablet in Adobe Illustrator. And, I can’t lie, seeing the actual final product is thrilling too!

CF – What is your creative workspace / studio like?

TC – My creative workspace is in the top floor of my house, on a quiet street in the hills.  The walls are filled with my watercolours, and I constantly have the Budapest station on Pandora playing.  Also, I’m very excited that I’m in the process of renovating the whole studio to turn it into my She Den — I can’t wait to share photos when it’s done!

CF – You “illustrate and paint a little something” every day. What are some of your favourite things about this daily creative practice?

TC – I read Elizabeth Gilbert’s book Big Magic several years ago and got so much out of it — most of all, not to put pressure on how much time I spend or the output, but to simply show up and create each day. By doing this I come into harmony with the world around me because I feel fulfilled, I don’t feel stifled by the responsibilities that come up every day, I feel like I have time dedicated to myself, dedicated to my creative potential, and dedicated to the practice of improving my craft.  It’s satisfying to look back at all the designs I’ve created, and I simply feel happy each day that I create a pattern.

CF – How does your background in industrial art and production inform your work as a surface pattern designer?

TC – My experiences in Industrial Art and Production really have been assets in becoming a surface pattern designer, because they gave me a feel of the final material product and how it comes to be produced.  I can visualize how designs will work on the various formats my clients are considering.  Really my background has enabled me to connect design to the physical reality of the mediums that show up in stores for customers to purchase.

See more of Teresa’s work around the web:

Website – changraphics.com

Instagram – teresa.chan.graphics

Fabric collections – camelotfabrics.com