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- Signature Style
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Welcome!

I’m Kris Ruff and I’m a surface designer, graphic designer, and educator.

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See Samples from my portfolio

dog and cat illustrations

Learn new skills with Mockup Academy & Surface Pattern Playbook

Navy Points of Hue Colorbox Fabric ©Kris Ruff

Get products with my designs on them!

The Latest from my Instagram Feed:

A new-ish floral pattern I drew on my iPad during

A new-ish floral pattern I drew on my iPad during a recent transatlantic flight. I love to travel, but the older I get, the less I like those long flights. (Or maybe it has nothing to do with my age and more to do with the diminishing amount of space each passenger is alotted.) But anyway, it was nice to just sit and draw while cruising at 30,000 feet going 500 mph.

#krisruff #enplaneair #inflightdrawing #makeart #arttherapy #passingthetime #surfacedesign #surfacepattern #artlicensing #printandpattern #ipadart #patternlover #patternlove

My Capri floral design is now available on dresses

My Capri floral design is now available on dresses! Super cute dresses! There are several different styles — sleeveless, 3/4 length sleeves and some with pockets. They're available at KarinaDresses.com.

#krisruff #karinadresses @karinadresses #fallfloral #floraldress #traveldress #everydaydress #dressesarecool #fallfashion

Just a reminder that I have an Etsy shop where you

Just a reminder that I have an Etsy shop where you can purchase some of my licensed products, like these tea towels.

This design is actually one of my favorites. I created it a couple years ago at a client's request for wine-themed art. I consider myself more a designer than an illustrator so drawing wine bottles wasn't really in my wheelhouse, but I decided to give it a go anyway. I struggled. And struggled, drawing dozens of ugly wine bottles. I just couldn't come up with anything I liked and was ready to throw in the towel. (Pun intended.) Then I had a breakthrough and came up with these simple, minimalist drawings that I loved.

The client never did move forward with the design (that's the way it goes in this business sometimes), so I was pleased when @abbottgiftware decided to license it. (Thanks Abbott.) The silver lining is Abbott's tea towels are much better quality than the original manufacturer's would have been. Yay.

I love the spontaneity of this design, because it's a complete illusion. (I still have all those ugly drawings to prove it.)

I didn't intend to write such a long story -- I really just meant to say, go check out my Etsy Shop.

AS A REWARD FOR READING THE WHOLE THING, YOU GET 20% OFF ALL TEA TOWELS, now through the end of the September. Just use LONGSTORY as the discount code. Proving that if you stick with something long enough, you do get rewarded.

https://www.etsy.com/shop/KrisRuff

#krisruff #etsyshop #etsydiscount #winetheme #stickwithit #minimalistdrawing #simpleisbetter #abbottgiftware #winegift #teatowel #drawingishard #artisfun #keepdrawing #artlicensing

A little color experiment. Do you have a favorite?

A little color experiment. Do you have a favorite?

#krisruff #apopofcolor #colorlove #sorbetcolors #patternlove #patternlicious #artisfun #patterndesign #surfacedesign #surfacepatterndesign #perpetualstudent #artlicensing #skillshareteacher

These little beauties were also in my latest box o

These little beauties were also in my latest box of samples from @abbottgiftware. I'm certainly not ready for winter, but at least now I can look forward to a penguin mug filled of hot cocoa. With a plate of warm cookies beside it.

#krisruff #abbottgiftware #penguinplate #penguinmug #penguinillustration #holidayplate #holidaymug #penguinteatowel #penguincollection #penguinsarecute #skiingpenguin #skatingpenguin #cutepenguins #seasonalplate #winterplate #seasonalmug #wintermug #cutekitchenstuff #giftideas2022

There are two reasons why little lines might show

There are two reasons why little lines might show up in your surface patterns. Either there's an error and the tiles aren't lining up perfectly for some reason — or it could be something called an artifact, which is a flaw in how the computer renders the pattern on your screen. If it's an artifact, the pattern is just fine and those lines won't show up once you output your art.

Artifacts are one of the things I cover in my new Skillshare class, "Learn Everything about Creating Repeat Patterns in Adobe Illustrator." You'll find a link to the class in my bio.

By the way, if those pesky lines show up when you copy and paste your pattern into Photoshop (like if you're making a mockup) here's a Youtube video I made that shows a good fix: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dFfL0mwTwDM

#krisruff #surfacepatternplaybook #mockupacademy #patterntile #adobeillustrator #adobeillustratortutorial #skillshareclass #skillshareteacher #repeatpattern #seamlessrepeat #seamlesspattern #patternlove #printandpattern #learntomakepatterns #artlicensing #surfacedesign #surfacepatterndesign

Yesterday I got samples from my newest collaborati

Yesterday I got samples from my newest collaboration with @abbottgiftware! It happened to be a beautiful August day -- perfect for trying out these fun summery stemless wine glasses. (Although I never need an excuse to sit outside and drink wine.)😊

#krisruff #abbottgiftware #summerfun #drinkwine #lemonlime #summerdrinkware #abbottcollection #cutewineglass #summerdecor

Have you tried using Illustrator's Pattern tool? I

Have you tried using Illustrator's Pattern tool? It's pretty darn awesome for anyone who loves making repeat patterns. My newest Skillshare class covers all the details, so if you're curious about it, in less than an hour I'll teach all about it — plus everything else you need to know about creating repeat patterns in Illustrator! Watch it here: https://skl.sh/3P70HEf

#krisruff #surfacepatternplaybook #surfacedesign #adobeillustrator #patterntool #repeatpattern #patternlove #surfacepatterndesign #skillshareclass #learnsomethingnew #perpetuallearner #seamlessrepeat #printandpattern #fabricdesign #patternlicensing #creativebusiness #artbusiness #surfacepatterncommunity

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