Today we’d like to introduce you to Cooper Collier.
Hi Cooper, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
My path to design started with an Art History degree from the University of Virginia. After college, I gained valuable experience at creative companies like Casapri Inc. and in Pottery Barn’s product development office. While primarily in project management, I gravitated toward design. Taking graphic design classes at UC Berkeley during our time in San Francisco ignited my passion and led to a career shift. I started in marketing design – creating email blasts, web banners, and print ads.
Then I discovered surface pattern design – , which is the process of creating artwork or illustrations that can be applied to various surfaces (pillows, wallpaper, apparel, fabric etc…). This specialized field of graphic design truly captured my imagination and became my focus.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Like any worthwhile journey, mine had its pivotal challenges. When we returned to Charleston from San Francisco, I was laid off from my remote position at a stationery company. This unexpected turn became a catalyst, pushing me to deepen my focus on surface design and launch my own fabric and wallpaper business.
Building the business while maintaining freelance design work was demanding. Later, with two young children, we made the difficult decision to close our fabric and wallpaper venture just before COVID. Rather than seeing this as a setback, I expanded my freelance portfolio, incorporating more surface pattern design projects alongside traditional marketing work.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
As a surface pattern designer, I create original artwork for products ranging from fabrics and wallpapers to apparel and home goods. My work reimagines traditional motifs with contemporary color palettes, balancing collaborations with established brands and custom patterns for independent clients.
My background in art history and marketing design gives me both a deep appreciation for historical patterns and a practical understanding of market appeal. This unique perspective has led to successful commercial projects, including two of Le Creuset’s best-selling appliqué collections—Marble and Love’n—which expanded into broader product lines. I’m also particularly proud of my apparel prints for the dear georgie children’s brand. There’s nothing quite like seeing someone wearing a print you designed!
We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
I am not a natural risk taker, but I’ve learned that meaningful growth often requires stepping outside your comfort zone. Being self-employed as a freelance designer is perhaps my biggest ongoing risk – there’s no guaranteed paycheck, no built-in client pipeline, and you’re constantly managing the uncertainty of where your next project will come from.
However, what makes freelancing risky is exactly what makes it rewarding. The freedom to choose projects, set my own schedule, and work with diverse brands has pushed my creative boundaries in ways a traditional role never could.
Stepping away from steady marketing design work to focus on surface pattern design again feels daunting. That said, I’m excited and energized by licensing my artwork to other brands, as well as re-enter the fabric and wallpaper space.
Sometimes the biggest risks lead to the most authentic expressions of your creative vision.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.coopercollierdesign.com
- Instagram: @coopercollierdesign
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cooper-collier-5aa52213/
Image Credits
Christopher Testani and SLK photo
