🌿 Behind the Scenes at By C Studio®: From Sketch to Surface Pattern

Have you ever wondered how an idea becomes a pattern, and then a phone case, a pillow, or even a t-shirt? Today, I’m inviting you into my creative process — a peek behind the scenes at By C Studio®, where nature-inspired illustrations are transformed into cheerful, calming products for everyday life.

✏️ It All Starts with a Sketch

My design process always begins with drawing — and more often than not, you’ll find me sketching outdoors. I’m endlessly inspired by the changing seasons, blooming flowers, beach walks, and little details in nature. Whether it’s spring blossoms, sun-drenched leaves, or seashells, I take lots of pictures and at home, I draw in Procreate.

I love how natural light and fresh air bring ideas to life. Capturing those moments while they happen helps me preserve the feeling in my designs. That’s why many of my prints feel seasonal, soft, and full of movement — they’re rooted in real-life inspiration.

🎨 Refining and Building Patterns

Once I’m back in my studio, I open up Adobe Illustrator to begin transforming my sketches into seamless surface patterns. This step is all about refinement — cleaning up lines, exploring layouts, and building repeat patterns that work beautifully on products.

I carefully choose color palettes that reflect the season I’m designing for — from pastel florals to sunny citrus tones. Illustrator lets me scale and adjust everything until the design feels just right.

This part takes the most time, but it’s also where the magic happens. It’s so satisfying to see a loose sketch evolve into a professional pattern that’s full of personality and warmth.

Bringing the Patterns to Life

When a pattern is finished, I upload it to my print-on-demand (POD) platform. From there, I apply it to products like phone cases, pillows, an t-shirts, all available in my shop.

Because I use POD, every item is made to order, reducing waste and making it possible to offer a variety of designs and sizes. It’s exciting to see my artwork come to life on real objects — and even more special to know they’re being used and loved in homes around the world.

☕ Inside My Studio

My studio is a cozy space filled with light, sketchbooks, favorite color swatches, and, of course, our Maine Coon cat Charlie Bubbles. You’ll usually find a cup of tea nearby and music playing in the background.

I balance my days between drawing, editing, uploading, planning content, and occasionally just daydreaming about future collections. I love that each day is different, and each design has its own story.

🌸 Why I Love Sharing My Process

Creating patterns is a deeply personal and joyful process for me, and I love showing the steps behind the final product. I hope that by sharing this, you feel more connected to the art you bring into your home.

If you’re ever curious about a certain design or want to see more behind-the-scenes peeks, let me know! You can also follow along on Instagram @by_c_studio or check out the “My Work” page on my website to explore more of the creative journey.

Thanks for looking behind the scenes with me!

Caroline 🌼