Today we’d like to introduce you to Susan Pickover.
Hi Susan, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
How did I get here? Great question.
The answer comes with some twists and turns.
I’ve always been a creative person, drawn to all forms of art from a young age. Originally from New Jersey, I double-majored in Women’s Studies and Cinema Studies at Rutgers University, with a minor in Art History. While still a student, I commuted into New York City to work—first as a PA, then moving up to Production Coordinator, Production Manager, and eventually Producer on documentaries and commercials. I truly loved working in the film industry.
But after a near-death experience on 9/11, everything changed. That moment forced me to reevaluate what I wanted out of life. I signed up for an art class at The Fashion Institute of Technology, hoping to reconnect with my creativity. That class happened to be part of the Surface and Textile Design Program…and I was hooked. That one class turned into a new degree, and a complete career change.
Since then, I’ve worked as a graphic and textile designer, art director, consultant, and project manager in the fashion industry. While living in NYC, I also explored my love of comedy—training and performing in improv, musical improv, and storytelling at The Upright Citizens Brigade and The Magnet Theater.
In 2013, my husband and I moved to Austin, TX, where I launched Pickover Designs, LLC to take on a wide range of freelance projects. Since then I’ve had to adapt to a lot due to shifts in the fashion world, the rise of AI, the decline in traditional design jobs, and the unpredictability of a post-COVID economy. Along the way, I expanded my skills into packaging, marketing, and social media design. I still love creating graphics and textile prints for kids’ clothes, swimwear, and fabric collections—but I also get to consult with emerging fashion brands, help launch product lines, and even develop brand identities. Most surprising these days is my gig helping run Condomania, America’s first condom store. (www.condomania.com) I started with designing packaging and have taken on a more managerial role of the last year overseeing design, product development, customer service and social media marketing.
On top of all of that I’m also working on my own line of designed gift items—some that I hand-make (like earrings), and others I design and have produced (like notebooks and stickers).
It’s not easy to sum up what I do as just textile designer anymore. I’ve found a way to weave together so many of my passions—adapting to the times while staying true to myself. I’m a designer, a mother, a queer cis-woman, a comedian, a wife, a homeowner, an Austinite, and so much more. Pickover Designs is where all of those pieces come together.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It hasn’t been a smooth road, but it’s one I’m grateful to be on.
Working from home after years on collaborative teams was a big adjustment. Some days it’s just me and my cat, trying to stay focused and out of the kitchen…the snacking is real. Other days, my daughter or husband are home and completely ignore the closed door to my office. Balancing motherhood and freelance life isn’t easy, but the flexibility has allowed me to be present for my daughter, and I wouldn’t trade that for anything.
Professionally, the industry has changed a lot. The rise of AI, fewer in-house design roles, and the political climate have all had an impact. And then there was COVID. In the early days, work dried up almost overnight. I spent the first few months sewing masks for friends and family before things slowly started to pick up again. However, I was lucky to already have my home office set up.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
As a graphic and textile designer my main designs are prints for fabric or tee shirt graphics but more and more I’m doing packaging, marketing, branding and social media design.
What I’m most proud of is the balance I’ve been able to create between art and business. I’ve managed to support myself and my family doing something I love, and that kind of stability as a creative freelancer is something I don’t take for granted.
There are also moments that have just been really cool in my career, like seeing one of my designs featured in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, or walking past a billboard I designed. And of course, any time I see one of my designs in a store or magazine, it still feels exciting. I’ll happily brag about having been the Art Director for Cedella Marley’s (Bob Marley’s daughter) clothing line Catch A Fire and helping put on a fashion show during NY fashion week. Or grabbing a screenshot of someone on TV wearing one of my tee shirt designs. Sometimes my work can be fun.
But work is also work. What sets me apart is that I’ve been doing this for a long time, and I really understand how the industry works. I always say I may not be the most traditionally talented artist out there, but I know how to sell myself, deliver what clients need, and get things done—quickly and with intention. I’m creative, yes, but I’m also reliable, resourceful, and really invested in helping my clients succeed.
We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
I’ve never really thought of business in terms of luck. My mom especially taught me the value of working hard, and that’s always been my mindset. I believe in showing up, putting in the effort, and figuring things out.
That said, I definitely recognize the privilege I’ve had—where I grew up, the education I had access to, the color of my skin. That foundation has opened doors, and I’m aware not everyone gets that.
Wait…One lucky moment that stands out was a random conversation I had with a wardrobe stylist on a commercial shoot. I mentioned I was really into a textile design class I was taking at FIT and was thinking of moving into design. She said she knew a clothing brand that needed help. That led me to Catch A Fire Clothing. They hired me, even though I had no experience, and I ended up finishing my degree while working there and eventually became Art Director. So yeah—that was definitely a lucky break.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.pickoverdesigns.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pickoverdesigns/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/susan-pickover-2110714/
- Other: https://linktr.ee/susanpickover
