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Custom design, Illustrations and surface patterns

creating vibrant artwork to brighten your brand or product

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surface pattern design

ladybug and honeybee surface pattern illustrated by Ellen Morse

AI vs. my Job?

May 30, 2025 //  by ellen//  Leave a Comment

In my creative world, AI used to mean Adobe Illustrator. But lately, those two little letters have taken on a much bigger—and more complex—meaning. Artificial Intelligence is everywhere. It’s creeping into every part of business, design, and marketing. So I wanted to take a moment to share my perspective. Yes, AI is changing the landscape. …

AI vs. my Job?Read More

Category: AI, Brand Building, Branding, Design business, Illustration, surface pattern design

Grow with the flow phrase handlettered by Ellen Morse

Q1 wrapup: New infographics, branding and more

April 25, 2024 //  by ellen//  Leave a Comment

It’s hard for me to believe it’s the end of April. Q1 flew by and we are already a good month into Q2. I never got a chance to get my goals up online for the year, as I dove into 2024 headfirst with a slew of new projects. To recap what I’ve done so …

Q1 wrapup: New infographics, branding and moreRead More

Category: Brand Building, Design business, entrepreneurship, Logo Design, perserverance, Printed marketing materials, Running a freelance design business, surface pattern design, The business of freelance design, women-owned businessTag: freelance graphic design, handlettering, infographics, website design

My latest pattern design for Shein

April 25, 2024 //  by ellen//  Leave a Comment

I submitted more patterns to SheinX late last year and this one was accepted. Getting to see your work on products never gets old! I never would have pictured this on a bikini but I think it works. Check it out on their site, it keeps selling out which is a great sign that others …

My latest pattern design for SheinRead More

Category: surface pattern designTag: floral pattern design, pattern design, Surface Pattern Design

2023 recap graphic with illustrated patterned background by Ellen Morse

2023 End of the Year Recap

December 26, 2023 //  by ellen//  Leave a Comment

With the rush of Christmas behind us, I wanted to take a moment’s pause and recap on my successes of 2023 — and in the spirit of transparency — my failures. Or better called, learning opportunities! Success in my business I FINALLY started sending out a newsletter, I sent 17 newsletters in 2023. My goal …

2023 End of the Year RecapRead More

Category: Brand Building, Design business, entrepreneurship, Logo Design, Running a freelance design business, surface pattern design, The business of freelance design, women-owned businessTag: Surface Pattern Design

daisy art print by Ellen Morse used on SheinX bikini

My daisy pattern for Shein

November 7, 2023 //  by ellen//  Leave a Comment

It’s always so interesting to see what clients will put your artwork on. I never pictured this print on swimwear, but SheinX recently printed my art and printed it on this bikini. The photo has a blue tint to it but the original print is attached. I wish I could see it without the blue …

My daisy pattern for SheinRead More

Category: Design business, surface pattern designTag: apparelpatterns, artforShein, artforSheinX, fastfashion, patterndesign, patternforswimwear, Shein, Sheindesigner, Sheinx, surfacedesign, swimwearpattern

detail of wallpaper pattern design by Ellen Morse

Getting out of my pattern design rut

October 19, 2023 //  by ellen//  Leave a Comment

Have you ever been stuck in a rut? You know, that feeling when your creative endeavors seem to be running in circles, stuck in a never-ending loop of the same old thing? I’ve been there too, and recently I realized I needed to step up my surface pattern designs. For a while, I found myself …

Getting out of my pattern design rutRead More

Category: surface pattern designTag: challenging oneself, creative block, creativity, Skillshare, Surface Pattern Design

illustration of girl with flowers by Ellen Morse

My portfolio review with Brenda Manley

June 27, 2023 //  by ellen//  2 Comments

Have you invested in yourself? I finally decided to book a professional portfolio review with agent Brenda Manley, of Brenda Manley Designs. Even though I have a degree in illustration, I have spent the majority of my career working as a graphic designer. The past few years I’ve been specifically concentrating on surface pattern designs …

My portfolio review with Brenda ManleyRead More

Category: Design business, Illustration, Running a freelance design business, surface pattern design, The business of freelance design, women-owned businessTag: Brenda Manley, growth mindset, invest in yourself, portfolio consulation, portfolio review, Surface Pattern Design

Ellen Morse, Sketch Design Repeat's featured designer for month of June 2023

Featured on Sketch Design Repeat

June 20, 2023 //  by ellen//  Leave a Comment

I’m excited to share that I was selected as the Spotlight Surface Pattern Designer for the month of June on Shannon McNab’s Sketch Design Repeat blog. If you’re not familiar with Shannon, she is an American surface pattern designer living in Dublin, Ireland and has a wealth of experience in the field. She offers courses …

Featured on Sketch Design RepeatRead More

Category: Design business, Running a freelance design business, surface pattern design, The business of freelance designTag: designer, illustration, Surface Pattern Design

Pattern design by Ellen Morse purchased by Shein

My collaboration with Shein

March 19, 2023 //  by ellen//  7 Comments

For those who are not familiar, Shein is a fashion brand known for fast fashion — they turn over their inventory quickly depending upon the season. Shein caters to a trendy, younger demographic (I am NOT their target market) but thankfully, their art directors liked my work. I was able to make a connection with …

My collaboration with SheinRead More

Category: surface pattern designTag: apparel design, fashiondesign, fashionpattern, Shein, Sheinx, surfacepattern, surfacepatterndesigner

Ellen Morse surface pattern design of white plumeria hawaii inspired florals

Uppercase Magazine entry

January 16, 2023 //  by ellen//  Leave a Comment

Uppercase Magazine is having a call for entry for their 5th surface pattern design guide. They will select 100 designers to feature in their upcoming guide. I thought I’d give it a try so today I gathered a bunch of my pattern designs. I tried to narrow down 9 that showcased my best work, while …

Uppercase Magazine entryRead More

Category: Illustration, Illustrations on Products, surface pattern design, The business of freelance designTag: design contest, Surface Pattern Design, uppercase, uppercase magazine, uppercase magazine surface pattern design guide

2022 hand lettering Ellen Morse

New Year…reflections and goals

January 1, 2022 //  by ellen//  Leave a Comment

It’s January 1: A time to look back on the previous year and make resolutions or goals for the new year. Thinking back on my business in 2021, I tend to get frustrated that I’m not further along but I have to remind myself where I started. I began drawing pretty regularly again in March …

New Year…reflections and goalsRead More

Category: Running a freelance design business, surface pattern design, The business of freelance design, women-owned businessTag: 2022 goals, Bonnie Christine, design business, pattern design, repeat patterns, running a business, Shop, Surface Pattern Design

repeat pattern Ellen Morse

Review of Bonnie Christine’s Immersion

September 10, 2021 //  by ellen//  2 Comments

I have been out of school for a lot of years. The past 18 I’ve spent getting my kids through their schooling! Now I have an senior in high school and a sophomore in college. Out of necessity, the world went online during COVID-19. After witnessing online learning with my kids, having every client meeting …

Review of Bonnie Christine’s ImmersionRead More

Category: Running a freelance design business, surface pattern design, The business of freelance design, women-owned businessTag: Adobe Illustrator, Bonnie Christine, Immersion, repeat patterns, Surface Pattern Design

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email: ellen@ellenmorseoriginals.com

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Recent Posts

  • AI vs. my Job?
  • Why Branding Is So Much More Than a Logo
  • Business cards 101: design and printing tips

Visit my Etsy shop for prints, stationery, stickers and more!

My Spoonflower shop is where you’ll find my fabric, wallpaper and home decor.

My Society 6 shop is where you can see more of my patterns on products you use everyday!

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