We recently sat down with Usha (UJ Designs), one of CONNECT’s top-performing sellers, to discuss how she turned 3D asset creation into a stream of passive income. She discovered CLO and 3D back in 2017, then started uploading her assets to CONNECT around 2023. When she found CONNECT, Usha realized that she only had to make a good design once for it to be reused and generate continuous value. She could use the platform to profit off her existing designs as well as use it as a portfolio website and attract clients. Our team noticed UJ Designs’ success on the platform and couldn’t help but wonder what the secret behind her “success formula” was. 

In simple terms, she describes her formula as a combination of:

Volume + Consistency, Trending Designs, Patternmaking + Technical Knowledge, Reasonable Pricing

Volume + Consistency

When she just started selling on CONNECT, Usha used her flexible schedule to upload up to five designs per day. Over the 2 years of constantly uploading, she has built a personal marketplace with over 650 assets. At first glance, 650 might sound like a lot but it’s what allowed Usha to stay relevant to buyers and generate continuous sales. Her CONNECT profile is neatly organized in different clothing categories and styles, making it easy to search and browse. 

Trending Designs

Usha taught herself digital patternmaking by watching YouTube videos and refined her skills by replicating trending designs she liked while window shopping. She mainly focuses on classic, easily customizable silhouettes, making her designs extremely appealing to both freelance designers and emerging brands. 

Aspiring designers who'd like to learn how to use CLO now can take in-depth courses on CLO Academy or refer to many resources on CLO YouTube channel to jumpstart their own journey. 

Patternmaking + Technical Knowledge

Before getting into freelancing, Usha worked in corporate fashion. Given her background in manufacturing and experience creating tech packs, her asset files come with a lot of crucial information and instructions like precise stitching placements, making it easier for the manufacturer to produce the garment. Using CONNECT’s 3D viewer, buyers can check the pattern inside out to confirm its functionality without needing to download the file and open CLO.

Reasonable Pricing

All of the points above combined helped Usha differentiate herself from other sellers and set her pricing comfortably without overcharging but still taking into account the effort and time that goes into the creation of a single functional design. 

“I realized that there are a lot of young designers out there who probably also want to start but do not possess a 3D skillset yet or just need a base to start. That’s why I also didn’t price my assets too high. They can buy them and just edit to use it for their clients. Add the client’s logo. Add the color. And then they can charge any amount they want.”

The key to Usha’s approach

Usha encourages designers to focus on building something sustainable. For her, CONNECT wasn’t about overnight success. It was about consistently showing up, refining her catalog, and treating her profile like a growing storefront.

She also leveraged Instagram to drive traffic and saw firsthand how visibility impacts sales. When she stopped posting, sales dipped, a reminder that even passive income benefits from ongoing attention. Her takeaway: build steadily, stay visible, and give your work time to compound.

Whether you’re looking for high-quality 3D assets or ready to launch your own digital storefront, CONNECT is the place to be. Follow in Usha’s footsteps and start your journey today!

Check out these articles on how to start creating and uploading items to CONNECT. Here’s a quick overview:  

1. Create an account on https://connect.clo-set.com/ .

2. Click the “Upload” button in the top right. 

3. Select “Store” from the marketplace type. 

4. Upload your file and add the item title, description, tags, as well as supporting images. 

5. Select the appropriate category. 

6. Set your item price for basic and extended licenses. 

7. Click “Upload”. 
   
   

Questions? Drop a comment below!