Melissa Carter Design - Happy illustrations to brighten your day.

Happy illustrations to brighten your day

Designer & Digital Illustrator | Hamilton, ON

Hey, I'm Melissa

I’m a designer and digital illustrator based in Hamilton, Ontario. I specialize in creating fun patterns featuring happy faces and bold colours. My illustrations are available in a variety of forms, including greeting cards, art prints, digital wallpapers, and licensable patterns. I also work one-on-one with clients to create custom illustrations for a variety of projects and uses.

Learn More About Me

Featured Illustrations

melissa-carter-design-illustration-doors

melissa-carter-design-illustration-pasta

melissa-carter-design-illustration-plants

melissa-carter-design-illustration-blue-flowers

Shop greeting cards, prints, & digital wallpapers

How we can work together

Art licensing

My happy colourful surface patterns are the perfect final touch to make your products pop.

Pattern Design

Get a custom illustrated pattern that will make your brand or project stand out from the crowd.

Custom Design

Love my design style and have a project you want to chat about? My inbox is always open.

Join me behind the scenes

@melissacarterdesign

Mother’s Day is less than four weeks away - I kn

Mother’s Day is less than four weeks away - I know, it’s hard to believe. You know what else is hard to believe? That I forgot to include my ‘You are Pasta-Tively Amazing’ card in this round up. Especially since it’s personally my favourite card of the bunch.
Anyways, it’s not too late to get your hands on the perfect card for your mom, or your step-mom, or your mother figure, or whoever you want to celebrate this year. Whether they’re an astrology fan, a coffee addict, a fruit lover, a plant parent, an emotional support water bottle carrier, or just pasta-tively amazing, one of these cards is gonna hit the mark and make them smile.
#mothersday #happyart #digitalillustration #illustrationart #illustrationdesign #digitaldoodle #graphicdesigner #womenofillustration #ladieswhodraw #designbywomen #illustrator #hamilton #shopsmallbusiness #cutedrawing

Okay, but if I was going to paint my office, would

Okay, but if I was going to paint my office, would I start with pink? Or this blue? Or maybe even this green? Actually I think I just want the walls to look like someone’s overalls they’ve worn while painting for the last 50 years.
#happyart #digitalillustration #illustrationart #illustrationdesign #digitaldoodle #graphicdesigner #womenofillustration #ladieswhodraw #designbywomen #illustrator #hamilton #shopsmallbusiness #cutedrawing

Making a pattern that intertwines and connects lik

Making a pattern that intertwines and connects like this one is always a little more complex than just making a standard separated pattern, but I love experimenting and improving my skills when I can. This one turned out so cute!
You can get this design (along with 14 others) in my latest spring wallpaper collection on Etsy!
#happyart #digitalillustration #illustrationart #illustrationdesign #digitaldoodle #graphicdesigner #womenofillustration #ladieswhodraw #designbywomen #illustrator #hamilton #shopsmallbusiness #cutedrawing

I love wearing a toque in the winter time. Sometim

I love wearing a toque in the winter time. Sometimes it’s because my hair looks bad underneath. Sometimes it’s because I’m cold. Sometimes it’s for fashion. You’ll never know which is which, but every year when it starts getting too warm for toques a little part of me dies inside.
#happyart #digitalillustration #illustrationart #illustrationdesign #digitaldoodle #graphicdesigner #womenofillustration #ladieswhodraw #designbywomen #illustrator #hamilton #shopsmallbusiness #cutedrawing

You can never have too many tote bags. Big ones, s

You can never have too many tote bags. Big ones, small ones, tall ones, short ones. There is a perfect tote bag for every use. What makes a perfect bag? It’s hard to describe, but you know it when you see it. The material, the shape, the handles, the colour, the weight. So many factors.
Right now my go to bag is from The New Yorker, but it’s been my go to bag for a little too long. I’m in the market for a new one and I need some suggestions. This time I’m thinking of something colourful. What’s your go to tote bag?
#happyart #digitalillustration #illustrationart #illustrationdesign #digitaldoodle #graphicdesigner #womenofillustration #ladieswhodraw #designbywomen #illustrator #hamilton #shopsmallbusiness #cutedrawing

Why are these doors still one of my favourite illu

Why are these doors still one of my favourite illustrations?
The truth is, I have no idea. Maybe it’s the colours. Maybe it’s the smiles. I also seem to always love the patterns that feature rectangular shapes.
But the truth is, sometimes when I start drawing I hate what I’m creating. So much so that I almost stop and give up on that piece entirely. But then, if I keep going, sometimes something clicks and before I know it, it’s my favourite.
That’s why you have to keep creating. Whether that means finishing a drawing that you think might not be great, or starting fresh for the first time in a while. Keep going. Consistency is hard, but it’s worth it.
#happyart #digitalillustration #illustrationart #illustrationdesign #digitaldoodle #graphicdesigner #womenofillustration #ladieswhodraw #illustrator #hamilton #shopsmallbusiness #cutedrawing #ladieswhodraw #etsyprocess #etsyworkspace