🎉 Alumni Stories 🎉
FROM THE REPERTOIRE FAMILY AROUND THE WORLD
Since 2022 | 1.900+ students
Of all ages;
From 16 to 80+.
From all over the world;
We have students from 70+ countries
From all kinds of backgrounds;
From engineers - to fine artists
Stories about how Repertoire has helped fellow alumni grow their abilities and confidence as surface pattern designers
"This course changed everything"
“The most transformational impact from Repertoire was learning to design with intention. Instead of creating motifs randomly, I now build patterns with structure, harmony, and historical awareness.
This shift gave me a stronger foundation, more confidence, and a clearer artistic voice as a designer. Before taking Repertoire, I loved creating patterns - but I often felt unsure about how to bring everything together. This course gave me the clarity and structure I didn’t know I needed. I no longer feel like I'm 'trying' to be a designer; I feel like I am one."
~ Guylaine Charlebois, Canada. Alumni 2023, 2024 & 2025
“...I've built a portfolio I'm proud of and even landed a licensing opportunity shortly after finishing the course.”
- Adeline-Julie Bee · Belgium · Alumni 2024 & 2025
"Repertoire really opened my eyes further."
It was a clear next step for me to dive into the history of patterns, which helped me understand and appreciate the nuances of surface pattern design on a much deeper level.
I also found many of the techniques to be so very valuable (post-it, paper/scissors, etc). I think this course can really transform people's surface pattern design journey."
- Liise Wyatt, USA. Alumni 2024 & 2025
“I came back with more experience, more clarity… and that's when I finally created a Millefleurs I was truly proud of. It even went on to place 2nd in the Spoonflower Vintage Floral Design Challenge, which felt like such a meaningful milestone.”
- Monique Beaudin · Canada · Alumni 2023 & 2025
"I feel ready to take my work forward into real world opportunities such as pitching, licensing, and collaborations."
“Repertoire helped me grow through Bärbel's structured breakdown of historical patterns. I learned how to analyze and recreate complex designs, which improved my confidence and speed. My favorite part was exploring real historical patterns and understanding how they are constructed.
I have significantly improved my pattern design skills and can now create complex patterns such as Damask, trailing floral, and Arabesque, along with a wide range of geometric designs, in a simplified and efficient way."
- Mughda Sabarwal, India. Repertoire 2024, 2025
"Before joining Repertoire I only created 2-3 basic pattern types in Adobe Illustrator. As I learned to interpret historical styles by reinventing and mixing up elements in my way, I can now transform them easily to create something new. This is "creative freedom". Now I am able to create the most intricate historical patterns.”
~ Agnes Onody · Luxembourg · Alumni 2022, 2023, 2024 & 2025
“I first took Repertoire in 2023, and then had the chance to return to this incredible course in 2025.
The second time felt different, I came back with more experience, more clarity. That's when I finally created a millefleurs I was truly proud of. It even went on to place 2nd in the Spoonflower Vintage Floral Design Challenge! Along the way, I built a beautiful network of friends, launched my website, and even partnered with a new wallpaper company, things I once only imagined. I now feel more confident about drawing and my workflow process, and I know there is still so much ahead of me.”
~ Monique Beaudin · Canada · Alumni 2023 & 2025
"Before Repertoire I knew how to put a pattern together but had no idea how to create anything more complex than a scattered repeat. I was longing to create more complex patterns.
Repertoire taught me SO much. I feel confident creating any style of pattern now, and I credit it with helping me to find my signature style as I created so much while following the course."
~ Katie Beardsley · UK · Alumni 2022 & 2025
"One of the most meaningful results has been seeing designs I created during this journey lead to real opportunities. Two of the designs I developed during that time were later licensed"
“It reminded me that the work created while learning can become something very real. I had often struggled with turning my ideas into patterns that felt truly resolved, Repertoire became a turning point for me, it changed the way I see patterns and trained my eye. My work feels more refined, more thoughtful and much more aligned with the kind of designer I want to become..."
- Irina Parizova · Bulgaria · Alumni 2024 & 2025.
Read More about Irina Parizova
"My confidence keeps growing each time I've taken Repertoire..."
- Larissa Waters · USA · Alumni 2023, 2024 & 2025
“Repertoire and Bärbel opened up a wonderful world for me!"
“Before starting Repertoire, I only knew how to create allover patterns using Illustrator's pattern tool. I had no idea about the vast world behind prints, the history of patterns, and all the different types of repeats that exist and how to create them!
Thanks to Repertoire, I started to feel much more confident in my abilities, and I even created my own scarves. This allowed me to fulfill a dream of mine, and I also received a lot of positive feedback from friends and strangers. Some even commissioned custom pieces!"
- Giulia Balsarin · Italy · Alumni 2024 & 2025
“One of my favorite aspects of Bärbel's lessons is the combination of hand-drawn and digital techniques. In the course you learn how to develop the discipline to hone your motifs and build a strong foundation for your patterns.
I would recommend Repertoire to anyone wanting to take their work to the next level. I have noticed significant improvement in structure, flow and layering of my work since taking the course.”
- India Brown · USA · Alumni 2024 & 2025
“Before Repertoire I was only creating patterns digitally, and while I was able to create a seamless repeat, my designs didn't look particularly interesting, let alone professional. Having explored and recreated historical styles, I now have a personal "library" (repertoire!) of layouts and designs to choose from that I know will look professional.
As a matter of fact, one of the designs I created during Repertoire, has made it to the top 100 in one of Spoonflower's challenges, and I'm just getting ready to pitch to companies!”
~ Gaia Azzaroli · Italy · Alumni 2024 & 2025
"This is the best surface pattern course I have ever taken."
"Repertoire really pushed me to create every day, so that by the end of it I had enough patterns to fill 3 collections and one mini-collection, which I pulled into a portfolio and published on the internet.
Learning different pattern structures has allowed me to create complex patterns that I can feel proud of. It also gave me the confidence to enter into design competitions that get my work in front of actual art directors. I don't think I would have felt confident enough to do this without Repertoire.”
~ Sue Cheer · New Zealand · Alumni 2024 & 2025
"Almost every pattern in my portfolio has been licensed now..."
- Lisa Mabey · USA · Alumni 2023, 2024& 2025
“Before I took Reportoire, I really struggled with creating designs as I saw them in my head. I only knew how to create basic spot patterns using the collage technique. I didn't know how to plan out a more complex composition and my work didn't feel very sophisticated. I loved making patterns but I just wasn't making the work I knew I was capable of.
In the course, I was able to study many different examples of patterns and analyze their composition, colors and techniques. These exercises helped me create patterns that were closer to what I envisioned.
~ Rachel Harrison · USA · Alumni 2023 & 2025
"I got my very first licensing deal without even having a website...!"
- Elfi Yang · Taiwan · Alumni 2023 & 2024
“I expected it was going to be good and informative – I just didn't expect it was going to be THIS good. Seriously, best pattern course I've EVER taken – and I've taken a lot!”
- Taylor Johnson · USA · Alumni 2024 & 2025
"Through Repertoire, I learned not only how to create patterns properly, but also a spectra of different types of patterns. I learned how to plan a repeat instead of just trying to put a bunch of motifs together in Illustrator.
Now I truly feel that I can design any type of pattern and I understand the different structures.”
~ Karen Gomes · India · Alumni 2022 & 2024
"I aspired to be able to create intricate patterns but it felt overwhelming. During Repertoire, the overwhelm started to fade with each step of the course. Seeing how each pattern is broken down and explained was extremely helpful.
Repertoire has given me the ability to design beautiful patterns that look more sophisticated and has gotten me noticed by companies!"
~ Ali Poulson · USA · Alumni 2023 & 2025
“I had been designing patterns for a couple of years before Repertoire. Most of my designs followed the same approach - usually a tossed pattern with a few repeated motifs. I wanted to create more complex designs and was fascinated with patterns by Morris, C.F.A Voysey as well as paisley, liberty and Toile de Jouy styles. But, I struggled to find an approach to creating more complex and layered designs..."
- Carol Yntema · Canada · Alumni 2023 & 2025
Read More about Carol Yntema
"Shortly after taking Repertoire in 2023 I started to earn income from my work. I wanted a chance to go through the lessons again with a different approach - and practice in my own style that had evolved."
- Gabrielle De Winter, Canada. Repertoire 2023, 2024, 2025
"Before taking Repertoire I was creating very simple designs without really knowing where to start. My patterns lacked clear structure and direction.
Now I feel that I'm creating more complex and well-structured patterns. I've gained a better understanding of different design styles and am learning to apply them while adding my own style."
~ Isabelle De Ligne · Australia · Alumni 2023 & 2024
“It isn't just the end result of the patterns I'm creating that I'm happy with. Repertoire gave me the framework to study and analyse the historical patterns and designs I love, meaning I can now create my own take on them, very much in my own style. I also now have a much richer and more fulfilling creative process.”
~ Louise Browne · UK · Alumni 2024 & 2025
"Because of Repertoire, I'm actually creating good work..."
- Jillian Anderson · USA · Alumni 2022 & 2023
“One of the most unexpected gifts of Repertoire was how empowering it felt to lean into the historical context of pattern design."
"The greatest shift Repertoire gave me was understanding the structure of a pattern from the very beginning. Before, I would often dive in without a clear plan. Now I approach each design with intention, knowing exactly how the elements will connect and repeat.
That clarity has not only improved the quality of my work but made the entire process more fluid, creative and fulfilling. It’s the foundation that has allowed me to grow as both an artist and a professional designer.”
- Kyhala Dunn, Australia
"I had the technical skills to create a repeating pattern, but mostly created conversationals and was missing the broadness and depth to create really good designs and collections. Now I create many different types of patterns, from simple dots and line patterns to the more complex Damask, Mughal Boteh and Renaissance Foliage. The most exciting thing is knowing what they are. Being able to look at a pattern and have an idea of what type it is. It makes you feel clever - a more informed designer."
~ Jane Harbison · Australia · Alumni 2023 & 2024
"I feel like I have so many resources at my disposal now. I can (and do) access the lessons regularly. My mind has been opened up to so many new sources of ideas, inspiration and design tools. I love when another artist or designer says, "how did you do that?"
~ Wendy Digel · USA · Alumni 2022 & 2023
"I've really noticed a big difference in the way I draw."
- Amy Thakrar · USA · Alumni 2024 & 2025
"That feeling of success in being able to quickly and easily get it right has created a love for geometric patterns"
“My pattern collections were previously less diverse and felt more beginner. Repertoire has opened up a new world of patterns for me. More importantly, I feel confident in gathering inspiration from historical styles, without worrying about copying or appropriating another culture..."
- Becca Gerity · USA · Alumni 202 & 2025
Read More about Becca Gerity
“I basically went from not licensing any of my work, to taking Repertoire and implementing all that I learned, and creating new patterns that got licensed.”
- Jillian Anderson · USA · Alumni 2022 & 2023
"There were so many techniques that I learned, that I use every day."
- Kelley Amato · USA · 2024 & 2025
“One unexpected experience was how much my personal taste evolved during the course."
"I discovered a deep love for historical design styles like Arts and Crafts, Chinoiserie, and Indian florals. This really shaped my creative direction and helped me understand what kind of designer I want to be."
- Daniela Müller, Germany. Repertoire 2024 & 2025
Read more about Daniela
"Since the course, I had the confidence to pitch to companies and got a wallpaper collaboration..."
- Karin Levin · Sweden · Alumni 2023 & 2024
“For me Repertoire was a new beginning."
“A half year after Repertoire I can say I have all I need, a great foundation, solid knowledge, digital literacy and new friends who are inspiring each other. I feel confident and now it’s only a matter of continued practice. I consider studying with Bärbel in Repertoire one of the best decisions in my life."
- Vesta Dobreva-Stefanov · Alumni 2023 & 2025
"You always learn something new, because you're different in different parts of your life."
- India Brown, USA
