WOULD I BUY THIS?

Even though I'm wildly talented and never create a dud (insert sarcasm), I still run every new creation by the "would I buy this?" question.

We all like to believe that everything we create will be a hit. When we’ve spent hours working on something, it’s natural to feel attached to it. But the truth is, not every idea lands the way we imagined. Some projects fall a little flat. Some designs just don’t quite come together. Not everything will be marketable.

Even when a piece doesn’t become the final product, it still has value. Every sketch, pattern, or concept teaches us something about what works and what doesn’t. Over time those lessons help shape the signature style we develop as artists.

The world always seems brighter when you’ve just made something that wasn’t there before. -Neil Gaiman

Some days the work flows easily. Ideas come quickly and everything seems to fall into place. Other days the designs feel forced. I might start with a clear vision, but as I work through it, the design begins to drift further away from what I imagined. When that happens, I usually do one of two things.

Sometimes I step away and return to it another day with fresh eyes.

Other times I look at the piece differently and ask whether it might serve another purpose.

Designing in collections has helped me see that not every piece needs to be the star of the show. A strong collection includes variety. Some designs become the main attraction, while others quietly support the overall story.

Those supporting pieces often end up being incredibly useful. They might become subtle background patterns, coordinating elements in a collection, or even clipart used across multiple products.

A while back someone asked me how I decide which designs are likely to succeed. My answer was simple. Once I think a piece is finished, I step back and look at it from a distance and ask myself one question: Would I buy this?

If the answer is no, it goes back to the drawing board.

If the answer is yes, it might be ready.

And if the answer is an enthusiastic yes… then it might just be the headliner.

Giving ourselves the space to experiment, revise, and improve is part of the process. Not everything we create needs to knock it out of the park.

Sometimes the smaller pieces are what make the bigger picture work. Learning to evaluate your own work honestly is part of building a sustainable creative business.

Warmest regards,