Ursula McCarthy is a US-based surface pattern designer and illustrator operating under the studio name Zaba Creative. After years designing for major consumer brands, she founded Zaba Creative to focus on nature-inspired, heritage-rooted pattern collections for licensing.

Style and Aesthetic Bold, colourful patterns rooted in nature, place, and personal history are central to the studio's identity. The portfolio features florals, organic motifs, and structured all-over repeat work in warm, inviting palettes.

Pattern Focus The portfolio features nature-inspired collections with structured repeat formats: organic motifs, botanical forms, and seasonal palettes. Work is positioned across home goods, lifestyle licensing, and brand collaboration.

Markets and Clients Licensing for wholesale and direct-to-consumer brands is the studio's current focus. Pre-studio clients include Ben & Jerry's, Burton Snowboards, Estée Lauder, Procter & Gamble, Northland Communications, and higher-education institutions.

Techniques and Tools Declared skills include illustration, pattern design, colour theory, and composition. Earlier brand-design work for Estée Lauder and Procter & Gamble suggests strong production-standard file output. Current work appears digitally produced.

Use the contact links on this profile to reach Ursula McCarthy directly about your brief, timeline and budget.

Career Path Prior to Zaba Creative, McCarthy worked as a brand designer for major consumer-facing companies. The studio name references "Zaba" - Polish for "frog" - as a nod to her heritage. Based in the United States, with the Adirondacks and Saint Lawrence River as documented landscape references.

Ursula McCarthy is a Surface Pattern Designer. Browse their portfolio and contact them for projects.