Please join us in celebrating this month’s spotlight surface designer, Trisha Patel. We know you’ll find her story inspiring!

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I currently work full time as a critical care pharmacist and pharmacy residency director. Life is busy and the daily hustle offers very few moments to have true quality time together which is no longer the future I want for my family. Therefore, I have pursued this creative business for them and I’m working in the margins of my life to make this successful so that I am able to do art full time one day.

What I value most in my life is creating more meaningful memories with family and friends and living a life that is more pure and uplifting whenever possible. I have begun to incorporate much of this into my art as I explain the symbolism of various icons in nature when they appear in my artwork so that people can form a deeper connection.

I want those around me to understand that the beauty of nature goes beyond just what is visible to us. This entrepreneurship is not only to create a business but to create a more fulfilling lifestyle for my entire family.

Tell us a little bit about your design journey.

I started my journey to pursue art as a future full-time career in 2021 when I discovered Rifle Paper Company’s notebooks. I thought to myself, “I could make this!” That led me to do a great deal of research and watching several YouTube videos.

After discovering the direction I wanted to go with surface pattern design, so many doors opened and it was course after course that taught me numerous skills on how to become a successful entrepreneur. I can’t say I have met my goals as an artist yet, but I am getting closer to finding the direction I want to go and what is speaking to me most for my future business.

What streams of income are you focusing on right now?

Art licensing and selling my own products via my shop.

What do you like to do besides designing?

I would love to learn pottery one day. I have several ideas for incorporating my own art onto pottery and I would love to offer more home decor pieces with my art if I can make the pottery myself.

I also want to explore other art mediums such as oil paint to see if I might like this better than watercolor.

Do you have a favorite portfolio design or client collaboration?

One of my favorites is with a fabric company — it’s a collection called Serendipity’s Symphony, with Cotton + Steel Fabrics.

Where do you get inspiration for your art?

Nature! I love seeing florals, textures, and other forms of nature by just being outdoors. I often visit some of my favorite nurseries and shops such as Terrain to get new ideas for products or patterns with the various plants they offer.

When you look back at your design journey so far, what are you most proud of?

Learning technology! Learning Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign, Lightroom, Procreate, ShowIt and Shopify has been such a journey but I also had to learn social media for the first time! All the skills I’ve gained with different technical tools has truly helped me create art that I can sell and allowed me to have a real business.

Who are your favorite artists?

Emily Jeffords, Great Farm House, Ceramics by Jas, Staircase Ceramics, Sugarhouse Ceramics, Fabrics to Fantastic, Heck Yes Sew Co, Natasja Sadi, and so many more!

If you could offer advice to other designers who are struggling, what would that be?

Focus on one thing that truly aligns with not only your values but what lights you up every day and lean into that one thing with all of your soul. It is ok to try different avenues while you figure it out the direction you want to go but try to do one thing really well before moving on to the next source of income or a new skill.

Where can we find you?

Website: www.niyaviidesign.com
Instagram: @niyavii_design
Facebook: niyaviidesign