Create New Freedom With a Career or Side Hustle in Surface Pattern Design
2024 Immersion is Closed
ENROLLMENT Feb 13 - 20
Immersion is only offered once a year.
Questions? We're here for you! Get in touch with us right here.
BRING YOUR BIGGEST CREATIVE DREAMS TO LIFE
Freedom to Dream
The best way to accomplish your goal is to immerse yourself in the learning, the industry, and in a community that knows how exactly to support you and lift you up.
Freedom to Start
Freedom to Grow
Freedom to Create
Freedom to Build
Whether you want to:
Design products to share with your friends and family.
Hello, curious creative!
Create income from your artwork with a hobby that you love.
Hello, side hustler!
Design a career for time, location and financial freedom.
Hello, full-time designer!
You’re in the right place.
Together, we'll bring more joy and beauty into the world through your artwork. The world needs your art, your voice and your persepctive!
The Immersion Course
The Surface Design Immersion Course is a beloved 8-week online training program for those who want to learn Adobe Illustrator, the art of surface pattern design, how to become a licensing artist, and create a sustainable business as a creative entrepreneur.
Founded on Impact
Surface Design Immersion was founded in 2018, with the vision to impact creative individuals around the world to achieve location, time, and financial freedoms with their art as a creative entrepreneur.
OVER 8,000+ LIVES AND CAREERS IMPACTED
A Comprehensive Course for ALL Creatives
Immersion will give you the training, tools, inspiration, and support on your journey to creating a successful career or side hustle in surface pattern design.
Hey there!
I'm Bonnie Christine
YOUR GUIDE
Internationally renowned Surface Pattern Designer, Entrepreneur, and Award-Winning Online Educator
I've been where you are...
When this was my dream, I didn’t have a clue where to start. But then ...
I decided, “I’ve got to stop just dreaming about this and just start doing something to invest in my future.”
That was my starting place –ZERO. I had zero experience and no idea how to get started.
Fast forward through overcoming fears and doubts and doing one thing a day to make it to where I am now - a multi-seven-figure business owner living a life I love more every day.
The journey to creating the life of your dreams will be clouded with uncertainty and overwhelm. I know it well.
But if you don’t step into it despite the fear, nothing will change.
You shouldn't have to learn the hard way. I’ve taken everything I’ve learned over the last 14 years about becoming a successful surface designer and packaged it in a fun and impactful learning experience.
"I have learned more in this course than I did in a whole year in college studying graphic design. Immersion literally changed everything for me."
- Patty Basemi
Hear from Students
Meet students from all over the world and from every life stage who have crafted a career they love.
MEET THEM HEREStephanie Sliwinski
I got a fabric licensing offer on graduation day of Immersion ... but I very respectfully said no thank you. That's because Immersion gave me this boost of confidence, like you can go for your dreams. Just two weeks later, I was licensed with my dream fabric company, now working on my 12th collection with them. Immersion didn't just equip me with the skills; it instilled in me the confidence to pursue what truly felt right, transforming not just my career but my family life as well, allowing me to work and be here with my three kids. It's completely the family freedom that I have now.
Jessica Rose
After Immersion, I was able to do something I never thought possible - make money from my art! My entire outlook has changed along with my brand and future career goals. I worked on several collections since graduation and pitched to Moda Fabrics, they sent over a contract almost immediately! My first fabric collection will release summer/fall 2024 and I can't believe how it all came to be. What a dream come true!
Dora Cuenca
I was curious about taking the Immersion Course for a while, but kept telling myself I probably didn't need it, since I have a degree in Graphic Design. However I was feeling stuck and I had so many questions about the industry. I am a stay at home mom of 3 little ones, so Time is GOLD! Trying to teach myself all these things was taking forever and was also lonely. I took the plunge and signed up for Immersion. It was one of the best decisions I made for my business. I'm now creating murals all over the city, and was even commissioned for one in our local Madewell store! I'm really grateful for Bonnie's way of teaching and the community she has brought together.
Amber Elliot
As soon as I received the email from Riley Blake wanting to bring me on board, I remembered Bonnie's advice to appreciate each achievement. Immersion was a turning point for me, transitioning from a software engineer with no control over my life to having the freedom to choose projects that fulfill me creatively. Now, I can plan my life, be there for my kids, and manage my business on my terms. Immersion didn't just teach me surface pattern design; it empowered me to take control of my career, leading to a contract with my dream company. This journey has been about more than becoming a fabric designer; it's been about realizing my dream of flexibility and control over my work and life.
Immersion is absolutely THE best online course I've ever taken, and I've taken a TON. Bonnie is JOY! This course is the only one I have ever finished!
- Lisa Hetrick
read 100's of student stories hereIf you want to master surface pattern design and can carve out 8 weeks for your creative dreams, this course is your golden ticket.
- Ivy Conner
8 Weeks to Success
The Surface Design Immersion Course is your comprehensive 8-week journey to success.
More than a learning experience, it's an adventure to transform your life, designed specifically for creative minds like yours. Whether you’re a beginner or an established artist ready to elevate your career, this course will guide you through every step of becoming a successful licensing artist and creative entrepreneur!
It is amazing how with an 8-week course you can transform your life completely! I am so happy and proud of my accomplishments!
- Dora Bami
module 1
Foundations
Start with a comprehensive introduction to the world of surface pattern design, practical tools, mindset management, and preparation for future modules. This module establishes a solid foundation for success in the creative industry.
Module 2
Gathering Inspiration
Learn to actively seek and organize inspiration from around you and translate your discoveries into tangible elements of design. You'll soon be observing the environment and collecting ideas in preparation to creating original, meaningful work in your surface designs.
MODULE 3
Illustrator Essentials
Dive into the world of Adobe Illustrator where you'll master the essentials of vector illustration. Hone your skills through practical exercises, ensuring you emerge with a productive workflow and progress in an approachable, easy to learn format.
Module 4
Illustrator advanced
Learn how to take your advanced Illustrator skills and begin making art. Discover how to create artwork from sketches, photos, paintings, foraged items, lettering and more. Learn the art of colors in Adobe and master all of the color tools available to you.
Module 5
Repeating Pattern Mastery
Begin to explore or hone your signature style, then move on to learning how to design every type of repeating pattern in Adobe Illustrator. You'll learn how to create tossed, geometric, layered, textured, half-drop, striped, plaid, diagonal, and border print repeating patterns with ease.
Module 6
Designing in Collections
Learn the art of creating both mini and full-size complete surface pattern design collections. Discover ways to weave a story into your designs and gather inspiration to create a heartfelt, consistent, and balanced approach to each collection. Build a portfolio that will captivate your audience.
Module 7
Income from your Artwork
Learning how to create income from your artwork is the key component to creating a sustainable career. Learn how to choose an industry, license your work, navigate copyright and negotiate contracts. Then dive into adding multiple streams of revenue.
Module 8
Creative Entrepreneurship
Learn the essentials of building a captivating brand, heartfelt marketing, and leveraging social media for authentic growth. You'll get tools for financial literacy and time management, preparing you to thrive in the creative industry with confidence and strategic insight.
Immersion is more than a course...
it’s an experience.
Here's What's Inside:
Click on the + below to get a detailed overview of each module.
Module 1: Foundations
Module 2: Gathering Inspiration + Orientation Week
Module 3: Illustrator Essentials
Module 4: Illustrator Advanced
Module 5: Repeating Patterns Mastery
Module 6: Collection Creation + Portfolio Building
Module 7: Income From Your Artwork
Module 8: Creative Entrepreneurship
Unique to the Immersion Experience
NO EXPIRATION
As an Immersion Student, you'll always have access to the 2024 course. You can work away at your own pace and revisit the course content again and again. Revisit, rewind and refresh anytime you need to!
BETTER TOGETHER
Join students from all over the world as Bonnie personally guides you through the depths of this course. Share your work, your struggles and... your SUCCESSES! Bonnie, the experts, and the community are ready to support you.
LIVE INTERACTION
Get your questions answered with LIVE interactive Q&A calls, a place to share your work, and a way to connect deeply with other students. Meeting other like-minded creatives is part of what makes this experience so magical.
Focus & Flexibility
Follow the curriculum as it's released, or work at your own pace with one of our custom learning timelines. Either way, you’ll have prompts, actionable assignments, and an approachable, bite-sized curriculum to help keep you on track.
Amazing Searchability
We use an incredible platform that allows you to search videos by any keyword and instantly see every video where I say a specific word (a game changer for learning!). We also have closed captioning and transcripts for all lessons.
INVEST RISK FREE
The course is backed by a 100% satisfaction 14-day money-back guarantee. You can invest in your future absolutely risk-free. If you're unhappy with Immersion in the first 2 weeks, I'll give you your money back.
The best part of the Immersion course was the community. The bravery and courage to try new things. It was a place that felt like home. The resources, videos, and explanations that I still use to this very day!
-Cassandra Zaniboni
A Comprehensive Course for ALL Creatives
Immersion will give you the training, tools, inspiration, and support on your journey to creating a successful career or side hustle in surface pattern design.
ANY
EXPERIENCE
LEVEL
ANY
LIFE
STAGE
ANY
GOAL
IN MIND
The Immersion course is taught through 8 modules released over 8-weeks.
This comprehensive course includes more than 225 training videos, a gorgeous 438 page printed course workbook, three live sessions each week to get your questions answered, support from our team of 25+ experts and guides from around the globe, an incredible community, and so much more.
Enrollment for the Immersion Course is offered just once per year.
The Immersion Course turned out to be a game-changer, offering not just technical know-how but a comprehensive toolkit, from mastering Adobe software to honing marketing and social networking skills.
- Michiyo Wrachford
Surface Design at a Glance
One Experience With All the Tools You Need
Technical
✔️ Master Adobe Illustrator
✔️ Create Repeating Patterns
✔️ Work in Collections
✔️ Build a Portfolio
✔️ Choose an Industry
✔️ Start Making Contacts
Professional
✔️ Gather Industry Resources
✔️ Negotiate Contracts
✔️ Confidently Copyright
✔️ Learn how to Pitch
✔️ Develop your Signature Style
✔️ Design your Brand
Emotional
✔️ Build Confidence
✔️ Remove overwhelm
✔️ Stay Motivated
✔️ overcome imposter syndrome
✔️ manage rejection
✔️ stay focused
Comprehensive & Convenient
8 Comprehensive modules
+ 1 Orientation Week and 2 Implementation Weeks
225+ Video Training Lessons
All newly recorded for 2024! Broken into bite-sized, manageable lessons that build on each other.
Audio Downloads + Closed Captioning
Videos are searchable with the option of closed captions & transcripts.
Worksheets & Interactive Exercises
Learn by applying with sample documents, exercises sheets and actionable assignments.
incredible searchability
The ability to search videos for words & phrases & an Ai model trained by course content to help keep you unstuck.
community & connection
Meet like-minded BIG-hearted creatives. Add on a Study Group for a small group of peers to go through the course with.
The love squad
Support and feedback from our love squad of over 25 alumni experts trained and eager to help you.
Live Q&A Sessions
2 Live Q&A calls each week with Bonnie + 1 expert office hours to keep you moving forward
Learn From Bonnie Christine
Internationally Renowned Surface Pattern Designer, Entrepreneur, and Award-Winning Online Educator
Bonnie has been creating artwork for brands and products around the world since 2009.
Her journey of being a completely self-taught designer and learning 'the hard way' is exactly what drives her passion for teaching. Over the past 12 years, she’s taught over 60,000 students the art of surface pattern design and the business side of being a successful creative entrepreneur.
She’s watched countless students accomplish their biggest goals and begin the career of their dreams. Stories of students being able to finally leave their day job to work creatively full-time, creatives who have retired their spouses or been able to stay at home with their children. Students have gone on to become fabric designers, launch their own manufacturing companies, release clothing lines and so much more.
Inside Immersion, you’ll learn directly from Bonnie both the technical and business side of becoming a successful surface pattern designer. After you learn the essential skills, her beloved training will also teach you how to grow your business, establish a reliable income, connect with your audience from the heart and embrace the freedom of working for yourself. Work anytime you want and from anywhere you want in the world.
I left Immersion telling all my friends about this AMAZING course. I didn’t feel like anything could have been improved. I loved every minute. Once I started taking the course I was like “Yes, I am so glad I took this leap of faith!”
- Sandra Eide
Hear from Alumni
Making the decision to invest was scary, but there was something inside me that just pulled me towards it. This course was the best decision I have ever made. It opened up a whole new world for me and I haven’t looked back yet.
- Stephanie
MEET 100'S OF STUDENTS HERETurn your creativity into a side hustle OR new career
Beautiful Business Ideas
Learn Creative Ways to Sell Your Designs in Hundreds of Industries
→ FABRIC
→ WALLPAPER
→ STATIONERY
→ GIFT WRAP
→ TISSUE PAPER
→ TAPE
→ TECH CASES
→ ART PRINTS
→ JOURNALS
→ BOOK ILLUSTRATION
→FLOORING + TILE
→ PARTY SUPPLIES
→ HOME DECOR
→ RUGS
→ PRODUCT PACKAGING
→ WEBSITE DESIGN
→ LOGOS
→ Ceramics
→ APPAREL
→ OFFICE SUPPLIES
→ ATHLETICS
Before the course was even over, I signed my first fabric licensing deal!
- Josie Adams
The Student Workbook and Box Experience
The all-new Surface Design Immersion Box Experience is packed with tools and resources to support you on your journey to becoming a Creative Entrepreneur, including:
- Course Workbook packed with 430+ pages of
supporting tools, resources, and study guides - Keyboard shortcut stickers and reference guide
- Abundance Mindset Cards (our Weeds & Seeds Cards)
- Habit Tracker + Interactive Journey Map to track your progress
- Certificate of Achievement, complete with dreamy gold foil
- Your Field Guide (an inspiration notebook)
And many many more fun surprises!
Comprehensive. Convenient. No Travel Required.
YOUR GOALS
Experience the magic of holding something that didn't exist before you created it.
YOUR PACE
Learn at your own pace and rewatch the videos as often as you’d like. In Immersion, there's no such thing as being behind.
YOUR STYLE
Watch videos and take notes in your course workbook. We've got closed captioning and transcripts available, as well.
YOUR SCHEDULE
Participate whenever works best for you and from wherever you are in the world.
YOUR COMMUNITY
Connect with artists and designers all over the world who speak your language and want to lift you up and see you succeed.
Who Is This Course For?
Surface design creates a unique and especially beautiful career. It allows you to use your creativity to fulfill 3 HUGE goals - time freedom, location freedom and financial freedom.
☆ Time Freedom
✔️ You want time freedom. To be able to choose what days of the week you work, and what hours in the day that you work.
✔️ You want less stress and a career that allows you to express your creativity to its fullest.
☆ Location Freedom
✔️ You want location freedom. The freedom to work from anywhere in the world.
✔️ You want to create the beauty that you want to see come alive in the world.
☆ Financial Freedom
✔️ You want financial freedom. You're done trading time for money and working by the hour.
✔️ You want to change your life. You're willing to commit and do the work, knowing that it takes work to create the life and career you want.
Underneath the Surface
Step past doubt and into your creative power, bolstered by foundational lessons that solidify your confidence to share and sell your art.
Confidence
Step past doubt and into your creative power, bolstered by foundational lessons that solidify your confidence to share and sell your art.
Clarity + Vision
Map out your journey with focused clarity, using our modules to define your aspirations and craft a vision that guides your journey in surface design.
Progress
Gain practical, hands-on expertise through in-depth Illustrator training, from creating your first pattern to mastering advanced design techniques for standout collections.
Support
Lean on a backbone of encouragement and expert insights. Our team is here to answer your questions and propel you forward at every step.
Community
Grow with others who share your passion. Forge lasting connections, share ideas, and celebrate successes in our community.
Immersion by the Numbers
Master the skills to create artwork for surfaces like fabric, wallpaper and gift wrap. Create something beautiful and build an entire breathtaking career from your home.
2024 Bonus Modules
All students of the 2024 Immersion Course will also get the following bonuses!
BONUS #1
The History of Surface Pattern Design
Join Bärbel Dressler as she teaches you about the background of surface pattern design from a historical perspective. You’ll learn how surface pattern design has evolved from pre-historic time up till today and learn how we can be inspired by historical pattern styles today.
BONUS #2
Intro to Gesture Drawing
Level up your drawing skills with Meghann Rader by learning to capture the basic structure of your subject through the use of line, shape and speed. Gesture drawing gives life and energy to your art and can help you develop a natural, signature style. With practice it can become second nature to draw almost anything - like animals, people and flowers!
BONUS #3
iPad Pro: Adobe Illustrator and Procreate
Join Genna Blackburn as she teaches you how to draw motifs on the iPad that can later be imported to Adobe Illustrator on the desktop to create repeating patterns. You'll learn her two favorite programs: Adobe Illustrator for iPad & Procreate.
BONUS #4
Mockup Magic with Sarah Watts
Join Photoshop expert Sarah Watts and learn simple ways to create custom mockups in both Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator. You'll leave with an introduction to Photoshop and your own custom mockups ready for your portfolio!
Bonus #5
Art for Products: Leverage Your Portfolio & Sell Your Own Products
Learn from Stacie Bloomfield as she teaches you how you to let your artwork WORK FOR YOU by selling your own products. She'll cover the 6 components that you need to not only get your art onto products but to also SELL THEM.
BONUS #6
Launch Your List: E-mail Marketing for the Creative
Join Kiley Bennett as she walks you through the step by step process of creating and launching an email list. Learn the impact e-mail marketing can have on your creative career, how to design a beautiful opt-in, set up a heartfelt e-mail sequence and allow your artwork to be seen by the world!
Guest Lessons
Style with Jeanetta Gonzales
Learn from Jeanetta as she teaches you how to build your confidence, make strong compositions and develop your style. She'll also discuss common myths that artists believe and debunk them to help you see that these myths may be holding you back.
GUESTS LESSONS
Textures with Lissie Teehee
Let’s talk about texture in Adobe Illustrator! In any artwork or design, we begin to form our motifs with lines, shapes, and colors. Texture is an added element you can bring in to create character or feeling to your design. Students will learn how to vectorize textures and apply them to their work.
Teaching someone with no background in design, how to go from 0-60 in 8 weeks is pretty powerful!
- Mila
Meet the 2024 Support Team
Affectionately called the Love Squad, as a student, you'll be supported by our amazing team of 25 experts and industry leaders. They are each experienced alumni, surface designers, and guides from all over the globe.
They've been exactly where you are and they made it to the other side. Now they're ready to help you do the same!
Bonnie Christine
Yours truly, North Carolina, USA :)
Kiley Bennett
Head of Customer Success, Kentucky, USA
Ashley Rodgers
Customer Success Champion, Virginia USA
Nikkita Cohoon
Program Manager, Michigan, USA
Ashley Paggi
Illustrator & Industry Expert and Program Coach, Oregon, USA
Lissie Teehee
Illustrator & Industry Expert and Program Coach, Oklahoma, USA
Melissa Lee
Fashion & Illustrator Expert, California, USA
Emmi Kerkham
Illustrator & Industry Expert, Victoria, Austrailia
Colleen Underwood
Illustrator & Industry Expert, North Carolina, USA
Cris Pliego
Illustrator & Industry Expert, New Zealand
Cassandra Zaniboni
Illustrator &Industry Expert, Oregan, USA
Jennie Whitaker
Illustrator & Industry Expert, Washington, USA
Larimie "Xhico" Garcia
Illustrator & Industry Expert, California, USA
Ali Baecker
Illustrator & Block Printer, Zurich Switzerland
Jillian Nichole Anderson
Illustrator & Industry Expert, Rhode Island, USA
Erin Silliman
Illustrator & Industry Expert, Oregan, USA
Karen Mastriacovo
Illustrator & Industry Expert, New York, USA
Plus, 15 alumni guides that are experienced in Immersion to help answer your questions, give feedback on your work, and celebrate your successes.
My 4 year degree in Studio Art doesn't even come close to what I have learned with Bonnie.
- Stephanie Roche
2024 Immersion is Closed
ENROLLMENT Feb 13 - 20
Immersion is only offered once a year.
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