Patterns in Bloom: Meet Allyson from Fig & Willow Designs

Miriam
Oct 16
3 min read

From watercolor textures to structured repeats, Allyson Ferri of Fig & Willow Designs creates work that feels grounded in nature and guided by a genuine love of making.

Her creative path has moved through photography and graphic design, shaped by a lifelong habit of noticing detail and finding beauty in process: “My main source of inspiration is nature — flowers, organic shapes, naturally occurring repeating patterns.”

Today, her patterns appear on fabric, wallpaper, and more: each designed to bring a sense of calm, color, and connection to the people who bring them home.

A Journey with Many Seasons

Allyson’s path to surface design has been shaped by curiosity and change. She studied graphic design and photography before building a career in nursing and dedicating time to raising her family.

When life eventually offered space to create again, she returned to art through mobile photography, selling her images worldwide and seeing several featured in magazines:

“I have always loved to draw and create art... but it wasn’t until about ten years ago that I started to dabble in watercolor and then surface design. I instantly fell in love!”

What began as simple experimentation quickly became a full creative return: surface design allowed Allyson to merge her love of imagery, storytelling, and craftsmanship into artwork people can enjoy daily.

Nature, Captured

At the heart of Allyson’s process is a love for the natural world. Whether she is creating with watercolor, photography, or digital illustration, her goal is the same: to reflect the organic beauty she sees in everyday life. “I use many different mediums to create my designs. I feel I am still finding my style, but I know that I’m always drawn to nature and softness.”

Florals and foliage appear often in her work, and her palette choices echo that same grounded, natural voice: soft hues, gentle contrasts, and designs that feel rooted in real places. Though her style continues to evolve, her north star remains the same: creating art that makes people instantly imagine how it could fit into their lives.

In Full Bloom

When it comes to sharing her work, Allyson doesn’t just post a pattern swatch online and hope for the best. She knows how much context matters, and that’s where mockups have transformed her process:

“Using mockups to show my work is crucial to even my own visual satisfaction! It makes it real, and helps me with scale. So I feel more confident showing my work to potential clients.”

Mockups allow Allyson to see her designs come to life on walls, products, and styled scenes; and that, in turn, helps her audience do the same. Whether it’s a wallpaper design in a cozy living room or a floral repeat on a wrapped gift, mockups help people envision her patterns as part of their everyday surroundings.

“I have switched to strictly using my designs on mockups for social media. My sales have increased significantly due to this.”

It’s not just a visual boost, it’s a confidence boost. Seeing her designs in context gives her clarity on scale, cohesion, and presentation, while also helping with her instantly recognizable brand identity.

Recent growth in sales and social media engagement shows that her designs, and her approach, are resonating. By leaning into styled visuals, staying true to her inspirations, and continuing to explore new artistic territory, Allyson is creating a path that feels both grounded and expansive.

Reaching Branches

There’s something inspiring about watching an artist not just return to her craft, but thrive within it. Allyson’s journey reminds us that creativity doesn’t have to follow a straight line; it grows through seasons, changes directions, and arrives somewhere uniquely beautiful.

Wherever you are on your creative path, styled mockups can help your work reach new eyes: explore the Mockup Library and bring your designs into their next season.