This week, I had the joy of sitting down with Jesse Rae Akin, a print designer and new mama navigating creativity in the middle of life’s most tender transitions. We talk about how she discovered surface pattern design almost by accident, what it’s been like balancing art with early motherhood, and how she’s finding rhythm in the messiness. Jesse shares honestly about fear, feedback, and forging your own pace in a world that feels constantly rushed. A beautiful reminder that we’re allowed to take our time—and that beauty doesn’t require perfection.

In this episode, we explore:

• Falling into surface pattern design (and staying for the joy)
• How new motherhood reshapes your creative time and energy
• The pressure of pitching your work and the power of just starting
• Learning to trust your hand, even when a brief feels like pressure
• The emotional boost of a good dress and a beautiful print

🧡 To connect with Jesse Rae Akin:

If you’d like to follow along on Jesse's journey or reach out, you can find her here:

www.jesseraeakin.com
www.instagram.com/jesseraeakin

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jesseakin/

Stay Connected:

• Join the Print Life Membership: https://printlife.io
• Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/printlifeofficial/

We’re digging into the stage of the creative process most designers skip — the part where your actual style gets formed.

Whether you're licensing, selling on Spoonflower, or pitching agents — rushing into repeat patterns and mockups without honoring your artist phase can leave your work feeling disconnected, no matter how good it looks.

In this episode, we’ll cover:

• Why your signature style doesn’t come from finishing prints — but from what happens before
• The real difference between the artist and the designer (and why you need both — separately)
• How to create the space your creative voice needs to fully emerge
• What to do if your portfolio looks finished but doesn’t feel aligned
• How to spot which season you're in — and where to focus next

Whether you're still discovering your style or revisiting it for the tenth time, this is your reminder: you don’t need to start over. You just need to dig in a little deeper.

Stay Connected:

• Join the Print Life Membership: https://printlife.io
• Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/printlifeofficial/

If you’ve been spinning your wheels trying to do all the things (more posts, more platforms, more pitching), this one’s for you. We talk about:

• Why clarity around your voice is more powerful than chasing metrics
• How to identify your unique point of view through your art and process
• What clients really want to see in your work
• A 90-day focus shift that could change everything
• A simple journaling exercise to strengthen your style and brand

The Print Life Membership – Where Design Meets Direction → https://printlife.io/

Stay Connected:

• Join the Print Life Membership: https://printlife.io
• Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/printlifeofficial/