“ There was never a doubt in my mind as to what I would do with my life,” explains Bay Area native Susan Bauer. “After taking a weaving class it was then that I decided that textiles was the area of design I wanted to learn more about.” Susan began the research process and learned that FIDM was one of the best schools in the world for Textile Design. Today, Susan has an incredibly successful career as a Textile Designer for Berkeley, California-based, Sweet Potatoes.

Susan attended the two-year Associate of Arts program at the Los Angeles campus and graduated in 1995. “The most valuable courses I took at FIDM were my Print Design for Apparel, and Computer Aided Design (CAD) courses,” Susan says. “Creating original print designs, learning repeat pattern structure, painting gouache techniques, and learning computer design programs, have been extremely useful for designing in the industry.” Her favorite courses were Structural Weaving and Knitting. “I enjoyed the freedom of designing my own weaves and knitting machine patterns,” she adds.

The skills Susan learned at FIDM empowered her to make her dreams come true. “What sets FIDM apart from other schools, is its involvement in the industry, skilled instructors, fantastic research library, and job placement department,” she explains. “FIDM changed my life – it is possible to make a living doing what you love to do.” Upon graduating, Susan worked for Sesame Street as a Freelance Textile Designer. She also designed for children’s wear companies including Nobuo Ikeda Design, Sara’s Prints and Pottery Barn Kids. Susan even illustrated a children’s book about jazz called The Musical Adventures of Scat the Cat.

Susan’s current position at Sweet Potatoes allows her to be highly creative, while gaining a great deal of experience. Her responsibilities range from sending out sample graphics to be printed, to postcard design, to designing prints and placement graphics. “I love designing for kids,” Susan says. “It’s fun, colorful and whimsical.” She designs primarily on the computer, using programs like Illustrator, Photoshop and Streamline. Sweet Potatoes has several divisions, which Susan works on as well: New Potatoes, Spudz, Big Fish and Marimekko Baby.

The highlight of her job? “The best part of my job is creating prints and graphics, and seeing them be put into production,” Susan says, noting that anyone wanting a career in this field should expose themselves to everything and anything, from bookstores, museums, nature, and department stores, to card shops. “Inspiration can come from all over. Create everyday. Never stop. Be open and ready to receive.”