Today we’d like to introduce you to Emily Doliner.
Hi Emily, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I’ve loved art for as long as I can remember, but the pragmatist in me opted to pursue a degree in Civil Engineering from NC State instead of a more creative path. I worked as a water resources engineer for a few years after graduating, and was honestly terrible at it! I decided to try graphic design classes in the evenings after work, fell in love with it and got yet another degree in graphic design. A few serendipitous jobs led me to discover Surface Pattern Design. Now I primarily create art for products, and I occasionally make original paintings to sell.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
A creative job is definitely not the path of least resistance, so there were struggles! I had to learn how to accept criticism without letting it impact my self-worth. There were periods of no work and periods when I was completely burnt out from too much work. I was fortunate enough to live in the San Francisco Bay Area after I graduated and there were more job opportunities there for surface pattern designers. Now I freelance full time and it feels like an uphill battle of always building and maintaining relationships with clients, but I love it!
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
The short answer is that I’m a surface pattern designer. That means I create art that goes on products – mugs, plates, napkins, greeting cards, tea towels. Most objects that have a design printed on them have been touched by a surface pattern designer. I love incorporating a bit of humor and humanity into my work. I try to keep those imperfections that make art more human and I like for my work to tell a relatable story. When I have time, I’ve been creating very large paintings as well. I love painting on a big canvas with no clear objective. It’s so different from the client work I make!
What was your favorite childhood memory?
I’m not sure about favorite, but the first memory that pops in my mind is the wallpaper in my childhood bedroom. It had scenes of anthropomorphic mice doing everyday things, like hanging laundry and flying kites. I loved staring at it while I fell asleep, with my mom next to me rubbing my back. That’s such a warm, safe memory for me, and it’s what I love about surface pattern design. A memory of a painting, kitchen wallpaper, or a set of dishes, can stay in your mind and bring you back to a special moment.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://emilydoliner.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emilydolinerart
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emilydoliner/
