Create Artwork That Creates Income
What is 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.
Whether you’re brand new or established and ready to soar, this course will meet you where you’re at and help you accomplish your BIG goals. You know the ones because they're scary and vulnerable to say out loud. I believe it’s important to set BIG goals and then ACHIEVE them.
The best way to accomplish your big goals is to immerse yourself in the learning, the industry and in the community.
The Immersion course is taught through 6 modules released over an 8 week period. Each module contains impactful video lessons that build on each other, actionable assignments and downloadable resources. Students are fully supported by the support team, Live Q&A sessions and the thriving community. Bonnie is fully accessible and active in the private student portal, answering questions, providing feedback and sharing her knowledge and inspiration along the way.
JOIN 1000's of STUDENTS who have CRAFTED a CAREER they LOVE
"Bonnie opened doors for me that I never knew were possible. She opened my mind to what I can achieve with my life."
- Mable Tan
Hey, there! I'm Bonnie.
And, I've been there.
As a completely self-taught designer, I know the value of shared information. After spending years learning on my own, teaching tens of thousands of students and working as a professional designer for the past 11 years, I have developed the ultimate Immersion course; something that I could have only dreamed of taking when I was starting. Let me save you years of learning on your own. YES, years!
So many times people hold tightly the things that they’ve learned, but I'm here to share it all with you. Learn all of the secrets, the nuances and the skills you need to become successful. There's room for you.
"Taking the Immersion Course literally changed my life." - Katalin Klecz
Hear from over 175 students from all over the world and from every life stage who have crafted a career they love.
+ Master Adobe Illustrator
+ Create Repeating Patterns
+ Work in Collections
+ Build a Portfolio
+ Choose an Industry
+ Start Making Contacts
+ Discover & Hone Your Signature Style
+ Understand Contracts, Licenses & Copyrights
+ Propel Your Career with Industry Resources
+ Build Confidence as a Designer
+ Design your Brand
+ Stay Motivated, Focused & Inspired
"You’ve got to do the hard work; you’ll thank yourself a year from now. I know I am." - Mable Tan
"It is amazing how with a 3 months course you can transform your life completely! I am so happy and proud of my accomplishments!"
- Dora Bami
Learn from Bonnie Christine
Internationally renowned Surface Pattern Designer, Entrepreneur and Award Winning Online Educator.
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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 9 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, women who have retired their husbands 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. Working for yourself provides the ultimate freedom - work anytime you want and from anywhere you want in the world.
"Before the course was even over, I signed my first fabric licensing deal!"
- Josie Adams 2019 Alumni
"Even as an experienced artist and Illustrator user, I learned so much."
- Heather Lowery - Inkwood Press
Create the beauty you want to exist in the world. 100s of industries are waiting for your artwork.
FABRIC
WALLPAPER
STATIONERY
GIFT WRAP
TISSUE PAPER
TAPE
TECH CASES
PARTY SUPPLIES
HOME DECOR
RUGS
PRODUCT PACKAGING
WEBSITE DESIGN
LOGOS
APPAREL
OFFICE SUPPLIES
ATHLETIC ACCESSORIES
ART PRINTS
JOURNALS
BOOK ILLUSTRATION
FLOORING + TILE
And so much more.
"The Immersion Course has been such a gamer changer for me." - Elena Wilken
"I would have never guessed I'd be supporting myself doing something I love so much."
- Tasha Jeffries
Accomplish Your Biggest Dreams
Do one small thing every day. When big dreams seem overwhelming, begin reaching towards them by doing just one small thing each day. At the end of a week, a month and a year you will have made giant leaps towards accomplishing them. These will be the steps that will lead you to living your dream!
All It Takes Is 10 Seconds Of Courage
Some of life's biggest choices need only a few seconds of courage to make.
You can do this. You really really can!
All you have to do is decide to do it.
It will take sacrifice, dedication and hard work but you CAN do it.
You are strong. You are worthy.
I'm here to guide you the entire way.
MEET YOUR SUPPORT TEAM
As a student of the 2021 Immersion Course you'll be supported by our amazing team of 7 experts and industry leaders as well as another 11 experienced surface designers and guides from all over the globe.
Tessie Fay
Community Director, Minnesota
Bärbel Dressler
Illustrator & Industry Expert, Sweden
Zhay Smith
Fashion & Illustrator Expert, New York
Ashley Paggi
Illustrator & Industry Expert, Oregon
Sara Curtis
Illustrator & Industry Expert, North Carolina
Lissie Teehee
Illustrator & Industry Expert, Oklahoma
Bonnie Christine
Yours Truly, North Carolina :)
For a 55 year old who had never opened a single Adobe software platform ever in her life, I cannot believe I was already, only six months later, collaborating with a textile company for two collections. I truly cannot believe how much my art and creative endeavors have changed since taking Immersion. Thank you Bonnie!!
- Emily Ennulat-Lustine
Investment
Immersion 2021 costs $1297 with an optional 3 month ($497/mo) and 6 month ($279/mo) payment plan.
Enrollment opens only once a year.
Sign up here to be notified when the doors open!
Frequently Asked Questions
February 16th - 23rd, 2021
Enrollment for the 2021 Immersion Course will be open from Tuesday, February 16th at 11am EST to Tuesday, February 23rd at 11:59pm PST.
Enrollment only opens once a year.
The Immersion Course begins on Monday, March 1st and lasts for 8 weeks.
Students will have unlimited + lifetime access to the 2021 course and can go through it at their own pace.
The Immersion Course is an 8 week course that takes students through mastering Adobe Illustrator from the ground up and exploring all the different ways we can create artwork. We then move on to learning how to create a career in surface design. We focus on creating patterns, cohesive collections, a portfolio and online presence and then move on to the business side of surface design with topics on licensing, contracts, tradeshows, working with an agent and creating multiple income streams.
The time commitment varies a bit for everyone, but women in all walks of life (full time workers, college students, new mommas, recently retired, etc!) have taken the course and worked through it at their own pace.
If you hope to work through it 'live' (meaning, as it's released), plan on dedicating 1-3 hours each day or 1-2 full days each week.
Students have lifetime access to the course and the content never expires. You can truly go through it as slowly as you like! You can always join the live calls and stay in touch with the private community by committing just a few minutes each day.
There are three payment options for the 2021 Immersion Course:
1) A one time payment of $1297
2) A 3 month payment plan of $497/month.
3) A 6 month payment plan of $279/month
If you choose the payment plan, your first payment will be made the day you enroll, with the following payments automatically made on the same day of the month for the following months.
The Immersion Course is only offered one time a year. Students will have unlimited + lifetime access to the 2021 course and can go through it at their own pace.
To ensure a solid foundation and build community, the Immersion Course is only offered as a full 8 week course. Anyone proficient in Illustrator will be encouraged to work through the lessons and spend any extra time on sketching and gathering inspiration for the coming modules.
The minimum requirement for this course is:
- Adobe Illustrator
- Sketchbook
- Camera or scanner
You can see the student's full list of recommendations here.
The Immersion Course is similar to a college semester - it's an immersive and incredibly comprehensive 8 week course. It's a commitment for those who are serious about turning their passion of design into a career.
Bonnie's other classes are lighter in context (usually 1-2 hours long) and are a great fit for someone who wants to dip their toes into surface design to see what it's all about.
The Immersion Course is taught in Illustrator CC and lifetime access to the incredible community. It's magical. There's no other way to put it!
Alumni Heather Schwarm says: "I had already taken all of Bonnie’s other classes when I signed up for her Immersion Course and wasn’t’ sure if there was that much more she could teach me. Boy, was I wrong." You can hear from more alumni here.
One of our favorite questions, because the truth is you really don't have to be able to draw like one might think. There are many professionals who are famous for their doodles and scribbles and others who have learned to solely work within illustrator.
Bonnie teaches ways to also reference photographs and use foraged and scanned items in your work, as well.
The course will teach you how to begin making marks and establish a routine art practice. We're betting you'll be surprised at how well you can draw with a bit of practice!
Students from all over the world have taken the Immersion Course and gained amazing accomplishments (meet some of them here). About 90% of the Immersion Course is universal, but the legal topics will only address US topics. That said, the goal will be to help international students understand what questions they need to ask professionals in their own country to learn the same principles.
The Immersion Course has a 14 day 100% money back guarantee.
Here are the details:
If you are unhappy with the Immersion course during the first 2 weeks, I will give you your money back. We believe in this course and know that if you apply what you learn, you WILL see results! We can't wait to share your success story with others!
Yes! We are honored to offer a scholarship program each year. Applications are open in January and recipients are announced in early February. You can see them here: https://www.surfacedesigntribe.com/scholarship
