Image West: Designing Surfaces Around The World

Industry Consultant Teliha Draheim of Image West Design shares success stories about international opportunities awaiting artists and designers interested in expanding their careers into the lucrative field of surface design.

Do you dream of starting your own business design-ing paper products or decorative products for the home? Or, is your dream to combine work with travel, designing fabrics and other products for international companies?

Since its inception, Image West Design has been helping graphic designers, illustrators, artists and interior designers to enter the professional world and accomplish goals like these. Teliha Draheim, founder and president, believes artists should make both good designs and a good living: "In today's market, international work is a goal within your reach. Many U.S. owned companies manufacture overseas and distribute their products internationally. Yet, U.S. artists generate most of the designs used. Tapping into these resources just takes research. Familiarizing yourself with your prospective client's product line and consumer profile will greatly assist you in knowing whether or not your design style is a good match for a particular company. Getting the attention of the person in charge of buying designs is also a key to success."

Susan Eslick worked with Teliha on a consulting basis to develop her portfolio and gain business know-how to approach new markets. Today her current licensing contracts include an impressive international clientele of manufacturers who produce products ranging from area rugs and bathroom accessories to stationery and mosaic garden furniture. Susan has this to say about her experience, "Teliha helped me develop and maintain a portfolio that reflects my absolute strengths and skills as a designer. Without her help, I would have been lost in the process of creating a portfolio that shines above the rest."

Former student, Alicia Keshishian, started her own California based business, Carpets of Imagination in 2005. Her bold, contemporary designs are hand-woven into luxurious wool carpets in Nepal, using centuries old weaving techniques: "Teliha is great at encouraging individuality and promoting the development of one's own style through fun yet technical exercises and projects. Some of the patterns I developed in her classes are popular designs in my line to this day."

Lotta Jansdotter, a former student of Teliha's now has a thriving New York based manufacturing business with international distribution. Her stylish, contemporary products include bags, aprons, table linens, ceramics, stationery and kitchen textiles. Some of the patterns she created in Teliha's design classes are incorporated into her current product collections.

Teliha offers a twelve-week course as well as private consultation. Teliha's straightforward approach to teaching and constructive criticism is directed toward a design's marketability. She spends a great deal of time showing her students how to research current design and color trends and apply them to their own design collections. She helps students and consulting clients analyze their existing skills, offering creative direction as well as business and marketing expertise to fill gaps in their knowledge, so that they can achieve success in today's marketplace.