From Crossroads to Creative Career: How I Built My Surface Pattern Design Business

Jo Phillips
7 days ago
4 min read

Jo has long dark hair and wears a yellow t-shirt. She stands in front of a large piece of paper with the word "Growth" written in the middle. This has a line which reaches to another bubble which says "Paperly" and another line which says "Infinity" and three more lines which say "Red Bubble", "TES" and "KDP".

Self-employment was never mentioned at school. Nobody told us it was even an option. Yet here I am, running Infinity Designer, a surface pattern design business that reflects not just my creativity but also my story, my neurodivergence, and my belief that it is never too late to begin again.

Starting Out and Feeling Lost

When I finished my BA Hons in Graphic Design and Illustration, I remember thinking, “Oh my god, am I going to have to get a job?” It really hadn't really crossed my mind that was what going to university was for. I had no idea how to find one. I literally walked into shops and asked if they needed a graphic designer. I felt so unprepared for the working world.

What followed was a mixed career. Some jobs were creative, some weren’t. One of my longer roles was in the police service. Then health challenges, including an eating disorder and Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, meant I had to medically retire. I was only 30, frightened, and convinced I had taken the wrong road. We even lost our house, which was one of the hardest moments of my life.

Through all of that, there was still a small voice inside me that wanted to create.

Paper, Patterns, and a New Path

Before Infinity Designer, I ran a small business called Jowish, designing Jewish greeting cards. They sold into shops including John Lewis, which was a real moment of hope. But chronic migraines forced me to step back.

In 2020 I was diagnosed as Autistic, and in 2023 with ADHD. Starting ADHD medication was transformative. Within an hour of taking it, I went from struggling with motivation or to think straight to calmly ticking through tasks and asking myself, “Right, what’s next?” That shift still happens every single day, and it has improved so many areas of my life. Even my chronic migraines have reduced significantly.

With that new stability, I could finally begin building the creative career I had been craving - one that worked with my brain rather than against it.

In 2023, I reached out to Step2Skills for support. Working for myself suited me better than traditional employment, and through the programme I was matched with Jonathan Dhin, a mentor who helped me see that building a sustainable creative business was possible.

What Mentoring Gave Me

Every week I turned up to our sessions with notebooks full of ideas and questions. My hyper-focus is a strength, and Jonathan helped me channel it into action.

Here are some of the things mentoring gave me:

Focus:

Helping me channel my hyper-focus into tasks that actually moved my business forward

Structure:

Turning scattered ideas into an actionable plan I could follow

Confidence:

Reminding me that my creative path wasn’t just valid, it was sustainable

Belief:

A steady encouragement that I could build Infinity Designer in a way that works for me

That combination of clarity and belief changed everything.

Jo working in her studio. Jo wears a pink T-shirt and has long dark hair. She holds a colourful, swirly piece of fabric in one hand and a swatch book in the other, she is comparing blues.

One of his most memorable tips was this: when you face a task that feels impossible, think of something even harder. Suddenly the original task feels more manageable. It sounds simple, but it’s been a game-changer. Instead of spiralling into avoidance or overwhelm, I’ve learnt to put things in perspective and move forward.

That mindset shift has stayed with me, and I still use it almost daily. It reminds me that even small steps count, and that progress comes from showing up rather than waiting to feel “ready.”

Building Infinity Designer - With Joy and Creativity

Now I am proud to call myself a self-employed surface pattern designer. I have taught myself new software, refined my repeat pattern process, and started to build licensing-ready collections that reflect both commercial needs and my own perspective.

My recent work has been about returning to pencil. Going back to sketchbooks has reminded me why I love design. It feels more honest and more connected. I still use digital tools, but starting with pencil has changed the tone of my work.

Alongside Infinity Designer, I run PaperlyUK; my handmade paper shop on Etsy, which has grown into a consistent and reliable business. In 2024 I was invited to share my story in “Beyond the Ordinary,” a book celebrating the voices of 30 neurodivergent creative women.

Jo, wearing a yellow T-shirt, holds out the book "Beyond the Ordinary" which has a black cover and an illustration which is part tree, part brain to represent the creative and neurodiverse women who have written chapters in the book.

Why My Story Matters for Buyers and Brands

I share this because my story shapes the way I design:

My lived experiences mean I create with empathy and care
Being neurodivergent gives me a unique way of seeing connections in colour, mood and application
I design with intention, making patterns that are not only beautiful but also useful and commercially aware

When you work with Infinity Designer you are not just licensing a pattern. You are working with someone who designs thoughtfully, with honesty and personality, and always with your end customer in mind.

Every one of these milestones began with the decision to follow my passion, creativity and gain support to build a sustainable self employed career that places skills, creativity, individuality and joy at the centre.

Let’s Collaborate

To find out more about my journey with Infinity Designer, explore my blogs or send me an email. I create surface pattern designs that are unique, quirky and beautiful, blending brand alignment, industry standards and individuality. If you are looking for licensing-ready artwork for interiors, textiles or products, I would love to connect.