I'm an experienced surface designer with over thirty years in the industry, both in-house and as a freelancer. I'm highly proficient in Adobe Illustrator CC and Adobe Photoshop CC, with strong drawing and painting skills, color awareness, and extensive trend knowledge. I also speak some French and am fluent in Italian. I specialize in pattern, character, and placement designs for the children’s market and have worked with clients such as Lilly + Sid, Mothercare, Smiley World, and Pigeon Organics. I enjoy creating trend boards, designs, and technical specifications to bring designs from concept through production.…

Michele Payne

I'm an experienced surface designer with over thirty years in the industry, both in-house and as a freelancer. I'm highly proficient in Adobe Illustrator CC and Adobe Photoshop CC, with strong drawing and painting skills, color awareness, and extensive trend knowledge. I also speak some French and am fluent in Italian. I specialize in pattern, character, and placement designs for the children’s market and have worked with clients such as Lilly + Sid, Mothercare, Smiley World, and Pigeon Organics. I enjoy creating trend boards, designs, and technical specifications to bring designs from concept through production.…

Available to hire

I’m an experienced surface designer with over thirty years in the industry, both in-house and as a freelancer. I’m highly proficient in Adobe Illustrator CC and Adobe Photoshop CC, with strong drawing and painting skills, color awareness, and extensive trend knowledge. I also speak some French and am fluent in Italian.

I specialize in pattern, character, and placement designs for the children’s market and have worked with clients such as Lilly + Sid, Mothercare, Smiley World, and Pigeon Organics. I enjoy creating trend boards, designs, and technical specifications to bring designs from concept through production.

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Language

Italian
Fluent
French
Intermediate

Work Experience

Freelance Surface Designer at Self-employed
April 1, 2009 - Present
Specialising in pattern, character and placement designs for the children’s market. Clients include Lilly + Sid, Mothercare, Smiley World and Pigeon Organics. Responsible for creation of trend boards, designs and technical specifications including mock ups, scaling, materials and Pantone matching to take the design through to production.
Kids Essentials Surface Pattern Designer at George at Asda, London
April 30, 2009 - July 16, 2025
Designed kids essentials surface patterns for boys and girls, including licensed characters from baby to teen.
Newborn Girls and Layette Surface Designer at Mamas and Papas, London
October 31, 2008 - July 16, 2025
Created main and limited edition ranges for newborn girls and layette surface designs.
UK and Global Surface Designer at George at Asda, Lutterworth
April 30, 2008 - July 16, 2025
Designed surface patterns for newborn, toddler and teens, boys and girls, including licensed characters. Also responsible for trend presentations and market line reviews.
Freelance Surface Designer at Anne Davison Design Studio, London
December 31, 2007 - July 16, 2025
Freelance surface designer for boys and girls, incorporating print and embroidery for an international market.
Womenswear Fabric Editor at International Textiles Magazine, London
December 31, 2004 - July 16, 2025
Styled photo shoots and wrote reports on trade fairs, suppliers and designers.
Freelance Textiles Designer at Rowena Bristow Agency, Brighton
December 31, 2002 - July 16, 2025
Designed hand-made printed and embroidered textiles designs for womenswear.
Colourist and Buyer at Miroglio Spa, Alba, Italy
December 31, 1999 - July 16, 2025
Colourist and buyer of print designs for the womenswear market.
Textile Designer and Print Production Manager at Vasino Spa, Turin, Italy
December 31, 1997 - July 16, 2025
Hand-painted designs and oversaw production for high-end womenswear.

Education

BA (Hons) at Brighton University
September 1, 1990 - June 30, 1994
BTEC National diploma at Northbrook College of Design + Technology
September 1, 1986 - June 30, 1989
College Diploma at Northbrook College of Design + Technology
September 1, 1986 - June 30, 1989
O level at Littlehampton Secondary School
September 1, 1981 - June 30, 1986

Qualifications

Add your qualifications or awards here.

Industry Experience

Retail, Consumer Goods, Manufacturing, Media & Entertainment, Professional Services
    uniE621 Into The Wild Collection AW25
    A pattern design range inspired by woodland walks in the forest and all the wild mushrooms hidden amongst the foliage, aimed at the children's market. Graphic mushroom shapes, a bold colour palette and cute coordinated prints would look great on thick jersey dresses over leggings or soft baby cord dungaree shapes. surfacedesigner designer patterndesigner childrenswear childrenswear designer illustrator aw26 aw25 mushroomprint mushroompattern experiencedsurfacedesigner…
    uniE621 Into The Wild Collection AW25
    A pattern design range inspired by woodland walks in the forest and all the wild mushrooms hidden amongst the foliage, aimed at the children's market. Graphic mushroom shapes, a bold colour palette and cute coordinated prints would look great on thick jersey dresses over leggings or soft baby cord dungaree shapes. surfacedesigner designer patterndesigner childrenswear childrenswear designer illustrator aw26 aw25 mushroomprint mushroompattern experiencedsurfacedesigner…