studio news

Analog vs Digital

I've always been a digital artist. I never drew as a child beyond doodles when I was bored in school. However, the deeper I dive into digital illustration, the more I feel compelled to do something analog in addition to my digital art. Then I sit down in my studio, and my perfectionism—plus the lack of an Undo button😉—gets in the way. So, though I continue to stumble through gouache and ink paintings, I often "paint" with fabric. This past weekend, I gave myself a needed day off and just fooled around with some fabric using a kit I'd bought and created this little birdie. This method of creation plus stitching satisfies my need to make something tangible. I ended up using her as a book cover. Holding something I created in my hands is a feeling like no other.

Heeding the Signs

Additionally, I am making some behind-the-scenes changes at OMD. My health has taken a big hit this year. I've been living with epilepsy since I was eleven years old. However, after nine years and one week of being seizure-free, they returned in January. This is making it very difficult for me to maintain the pace I've been going at. I had to deeply reflect on what I was willing to let go of, and I decided I will no longer write my blog. I will leave it up but won't add to it.

L.E.A.R.N.

The 3Rs = Review, Review, Review

I used to think learning was all about consuming information. Watch a video, read an article, take notes—done. But then I realized something: my brain is not a sponge. It doesn’t just soak up information and store it forever. My brain needs to wring things out, move them around, and actively engage with them to make them stick. And in online learning, where so much of the experience is passive, review is the key to making that happen.

The Science Behind Review and Active Engagement

Research in cognitive science consistently shows that passive exposure to information isn’t enough to create long-term memory. Instead, learning solidifies when we interact with material in meaningful ways (Brown, Roediger, & McDaniel, 2014). This is especially important for artists and designers learning new techniques because muscle memory, creative intuition, and deep understanding come from repeated, active engagement.

In an online, self-paced course, where learners often binge content like a Netflix series, reviewing material isn’t just a good idea—it’s essential. Without it, information drifts away like a half-remembered dream. But with the right strategies, you can make review an engaging and powerful part of the learning process.

Three Ways to Reinforce Learning in an Online Course

1. Create and Apply Nothing cements knowledge better than using it. After learning a new technique or concept, students should immediately apply it to a project. For surface designers, this might mean watching a tutorial on creating seamless patterns and then designing their own based on the lesson. Encourage learners to share their work in a discussion forum or private group for feedback—this added layer of interaction deepens the learning experience (Chi & Wylie, 2014).
2. Spaced Repetition and Reflection The brain loves patterns but needs time and exposure to recognize them. Spaced repetition—reviewing material over time rather than cramming—helps commit knowledge to long-term memory (Cepeda et al., 2006). To build this into an online course, offer periodic prompts that encourage learners to revisit past lessons. For example, remembering to remix an old design using a new technique learned weeks earlier keeps past knowledge fresh.
3. Quiz, Challenge, or Gamify It Testing is one of the most effective ways to reinforce learning—even when no grade is attached. Simple self-check quizzes, creative challenges, or interactive exercises can make a massive difference. For example, after a module on color theory for textile design, you could include a challenge where learners must create a palette using specific color relationships, like complementary or analogous schemes.

Making Review a Habit

In self-paced learning, it’s easy to fall into the trap of moving from lesson to lesson without looking back. However, true mastery comes from engaging with material multiple times in different ways. By building in review strategies, online courses can transform passive learning into an active, dynamic process that helps artists and designers consume information and truly make it their own.

References

• Brown, P. C., Roediger, H. L., & McDaniel, M. A. (2014). Make It Stick: The Science of Successful Learning. Harvard University Press.
• Chi, M. T. H., & Wylie, R. (2014). "The ICAP Framework: Linking Active Learning to Cognitive Engagement." Educational Psychologist, 49(4), 219-243.
• Fiorella, L., & Mayer, R. E. (2013). "The Role of Generative Activities in Learning." Educational Psychology Review, 25(4), 1-18.
• Cepeda, N. J., Pashler, H., Vul, E., Wixted, J. T., & Rohrer, D. (2006). "Distributed practice in verbal recall tasks: A review and quantitative synthesis." Psychological Bulletin, 132(3), 354-380.

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PODCAST

Cranky Listeners

If you haven't yet tuned in to Two Cranky Creatives, I hope you connect with us and listen wherever you get your podcasts! We've already covered getting ghosted, taxes for creatives, recent changes in the industry, and Stacie Dale from Surface Design News joins us this month on the 26th! Here's what some of our listeners have to say:

"I enjoyed listening to you guys and like that you are keeping it real. I am looking forward to more of your insights and wisdom on the industry." -brendawaldekker.art

"Loved this episode! Great insights and the mushroom trend ... me too!" - thebakerhouseart

"Loved it!" - picadominus

ARTY STUFF

New Collection Available

I have a new collection out on Spoonflower. This is my Twilight Luxe mini-collection, and it's all about menswear! At least one of these patterns was inspired by the Bene Gesserit nuns of Dune. Can you guess which one? Reply to this email and let me know.

LOVE THIS NEWSLETTER?

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If so, choose one of these ways to let me know:

• Option 1: Send this to a fellow creative. Setting your students up for success is simple with the right information. If you know someone seeking to add course creation to their portfolio, send this their way!
• Option 2. Send me a sentence or two about what you enjoyed! I honestly want to hear from you. I don't want to type into the ether. Connect with me. That's more fun!