Art Educator & Design Industry Expert
Debra Valencia serves as a part-time faculty member at Otis College of Art & Design in Los Angeles and Art Center of College of Design in Pasadena, California. Well respected as a design industry expert, award-winning designer and successful business owner, Debra has lectured at major institutions and conferences, served as a judge in national design competitions and taught seminars on business practices for artists and designers.
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Savvy Surface Design: Online Courses with Debra Valencia
Explore your amazing potential! Solidify your creative business, expand your repertoire & services with expert guidance. Learn how to improve your business skills for your art & design business. Add surface design to your illustration, graphic design, interior design and fashion design business.
Business for Creatives Coming Throughout 2024
Business for Creatives Coming Throughout 2024
- Copyright Your Artwork: Students learn how to register their own copyright registrations to save $1000s and protect their Intellectual Property.
Now Available: Register here. - Licensing Your Artwork Students learn how to earn royalties on their artwork and work smarter
- Publish a Craft Book Students learn how to pitch an art & craft book to publishers as well as self publishing
- Print On Demand Students learn how to earn passive income on a variety of print on demand platforms
- Business 101 Students learn the basics of running their own business: accounting, proposals & contracts
- Publicity for Artists Students learn how to write press releases, to receive free publicity in magazines and blogs
- Surface Design Basics Students learn pattern designs by theme including geometric, stripes, plaid, floral, paisley, animal, holiday and novelty
- Adobe Illustrator Essentials Students learn specific tools and skills including Pantone Connect for surface designers
- Surface Design Collections Students learn new design skills for coordinated collections — a grouping of 6 to 12 patterns presented as a collection
- Adobe Photoshop Essentials Students learn specific tools and skills including Pantone Connect for surface designers
- Surface Design Product Design Students focus on finished product applications: quilt fabric, dinnerware, bedding, wallpaper, stationery, fashion and more
- Surface Design Procreate Students learn specific tools and skills for surface designers
- Surface Design Production Students learn how to prepare artwork for printing and manufacturing based on industry specific technical requirements and techniques
Adult College Courses & Workshops: In-Person with Debra Valencia
Art Center College of Design Extension
Open to the public for adults all ages. No credit courses. Check the website for upcoming courses and workshops during the Spring, Summer and Fall semesters.
https://www.artcenter.edu/acx/
Otis College of Art + Design Extension
Open to the public for adults all ages with no prerequisites. No credit courses available and as well as certificate programs. Check the website for upcoming courses and workshops during the Spring, Summer and Fall semesters.
https://www.otis.edu/extension
Licensing Your Art for Royalties at Otis College of Art Online
Selling your artwork or working hourly is not the only way to make money as a creative person. Learn about the opportunities for retaining ownership, licensing, and earning royalties. This course covers all the ins and outs: art themes, product categories, portfolio requirements, contracts, negotiation, branding, marketing trade shows, publicity, and working with agents. Step-by-step demonstrations include applying for trademarks and copyrights, submitting work to manufacturers, and self-publishing visual content with print-on-demand technology. Students learn the basics of how to get started and develop a strategic plan to license their work. This is a live two hour zoom class over a six week period. This not prerecorded. In addition to weekly presentations, case studies and hand outs, there is time to ask questions and discuss topics in more detail. Check the website for upcoming courses and workshops during the Spring, Summer and Fall semesters. It will be listed under Professional Development in the Extension program.
https://www.otis.edu/extension
Art Licensing Coaching Services
As an art licensing coach, Debra has helped launch the careers of over 75 artists through one-on-one advice and guidance. For inquiries, contact me via the form on the "Contact" page. For more detailed information, visit the Savvy Surface Design site.
Open to the public for adults all ages. No credit courses. Check the website for upcoming courses and workshops during the Spring, Summer and Fall semesters.
https://www.artcenter.edu/acx/
- Surface Design 1
- Surface Design 2
- Surface Design 3
- Monetizing Art for Licensing
Otis College of Art + Design Extension
Open to the public for adults all ages with no prerequisites. No credit courses available and as well as certificate programs. Check the website for upcoming courses and workshops during the Spring, Summer and Fall semesters.
https://www.otis.edu/extension
- Surface Design Basics (Beginner)
- Surface Design Collections (Intermediate)
- Surface Design Digital Creation (Intermediate)
- Licensing Your Art for Royalties
Licensing Your Art for Royalties at Otis College of Art Online
Selling your artwork or working hourly is not the only way to make money as a creative person. Learn about the opportunities for retaining ownership, licensing, and earning royalties. This course covers all the ins and outs: art themes, product categories, portfolio requirements, contracts, negotiation, branding, marketing trade shows, publicity, and working with agents. Step-by-step demonstrations include applying for trademarks and copyrights, submitting work to manufacturers, and self-publishing visual content with print-on-demand technology. Students learn the basics of how to get started and develop a strategic plan to license their work. This is a live two hour zoom class over a six week period. This not prerecorded. In addition to weekly presentations, case studies and hand outs, there is time to ask questions and discuss topics in more detail. Check the website for upcoming courses and workshops during the Spring, Summer and Fall semesters. It will be listed under Professional Development in the Extension program.
https://www.otis.edu/extension
Art Licensing Coaching Services
As an art licensing coach, Debra has helped launch the careers of over 75 artists through one-on-one advice and guidance. For inquiries, contact me via the form on the "Contact" page. For more detailed information, visit the Savvy Surface Design site.
Shibori Workshops and Historic Art & Culture Tours in Japan
Historic Art & Culture Tour in Japan 2025
Have you ever wanted to explore Japan but don't want to go alone? Or even better travel with a small group of like minded people with your interests in the arts, crafts, culture and history? As you may not know, Canadian born Bryan Whitehead is fluent in Japanese and after living in Japan for 30+ years is an expert in Japanese arts & crafts, culture and history. During the pandemic as well as the previous 30 years, he traveled far and wide throughout Japan exploring off the beaten track destinations that Westerners rarely see. He has dreamed of taking small groups around to some of these hidden gems. He took his first group on this trip in December 2023 and it was a great success! We are now planning our second art & cultural tour for September 2025. This is a once in a lifetime trip.
http://www.debravalencia.com/japan-textile-workshop.html
Shibori Textile Workshops in Japan 2025
This 10 day workshop, taught by renown textile expert Bryan Whitehead, includes Shibori textiles dyeing utilizing several techniques, stencil making and stencil printing, field trips, cultural lessons and more. Meeting in Tokyo on the first day, our instructor will take us around Tokyo for a short tour of vintage textiles and handmade papers. Los Angeles based arts educator, Debra Valencia, serves as your trip organizer for all pre-trip planning and advance design homework preparation. The remaining 9 days will be spent in hands-on workshops in a large charming farmhouse in Fujino about 90 minutes from Tokyo. This is truly a magical one-of-a-kind experience packed with craft lessons, history, culture, learning, great food, field trips, fun and friendship.
http://www.debravalencia.com/japan-textile-workshop.html
Have you ever wanted to explore Japan but don't want to go alone? Or even better travel with a small group of like minded people with your interests in the arts, crafts, culture and history? As you may not know, Canadian born Bryan Whitehead is fluent in Japanese and after living in Japan for 30+ years is an expert in Japanese arts & crafts, culture and history. During the pandemic as well as the previous 30 years, he traveled far and wide throughout Japan exploring off the beaten track destinations that Westerners rarely see. He has dreamed of taking small groups around to some of these hidden gems. He took his first group on this trip in December 2023 and it was a great success! We are now planning our second art & cultural tour for September 2025. This is a once in a lifetime trip.
http://www.debravalencia.com/japan-textile-workshop.html
Shibori Textile Workshops in Japan 2025
This 10 day workshop, taught by renown textile expert Bryan Whitehead, includes Shibori textiles dyeing utilizing several techniques, stencil making and stencil printing, field trips, cultural lessons and more. Meeting in Tokyo on the first day, our instructor will take us around Tokyo for a short tour of vintage textiles and handmade papers. Los Angeles based arts educator, Debra Valencia, serves as your trip organizer for all pre-trip planning and advance design homework preparation. The remaining 9 days will be spent in hands-on workshops in a large charming farmhouse in Fujino about 90 minutes from Tokyo. This is truly a magical one-of-a-kind experience packed with craft lessons, history, culture, learning, great food, field trips, fun and friendship.
http://www.debravalencia.com/japan-textile-workshop.html