Surface Pattern Design without secrets
Are you interested in surface design but don't know where to start? Don't worry, you're not alone. Surface design is the art of creating patterns for a range of products and applications, from fabrics to stationery, and even technology. In this article, we will dive into the basics of surface pattern design and explore what it takes to inspire you to create stunning designs.
What is a pattern?
A pattern is a repeated design that can be applied to a surface. That design piece that is repeated is called a tile and it can be a square or a rectangle. The design can be made up of different elements such as shapes, colors, and textures. When these elements are combined in a repeating pattern, they create a visual rhythm that can be used to enhance the appearance of a product or surface. The pattern can be repeated seamlessly so you can’t tell where the tile starts and ends or you can create the tile intentionally visible, depending on the desired result.
Types of patterns
There are many types of patterns to choose from when creating a surface design. Some of the most popular patterns include:
Florals
Floral patterns are a classic choice for surface design. They can be simple or intricate and are often used for fabrics and wallpapers.
Floral pattern by Vanessa Stoilova - www.vanessastoilova.com - @vanessa.stoilova
Geometric
Geometric patterns are made up of shapes such as triangles, squares, and circles. They can be simple or complex and are often used for home decor and stationery.
Geometric pattern by Andreia Melo - www.andreiamelo.pt - @andreiamelo.pt
Striped
Striped patterns are made up of horizontal or vertical lines. They can be thick or thin, with or without texture, and are often used for fabrics and wallpapers.
Striped pattern by Julie McMillan - www.silverbirchstudio.com - @silverbirchstudio
Abstract
Abstract patterns are made up of shapes that don't represent real-world objects. They can be colorful or monochromatic and are often used for home decor.
Abstract pattern by Karen Armstrong - www.karenarmstrongstudio.com - @karenarmstrongstudio
Illustrative
Illustrative patterns are made up of hand-drawn or digital illustrations. They can be whimsical or realistic and are often used for stationery and home decor.
Illustrative pattern by Andreia Melo - www.andreiamelo.pt - @andreiamelo.pt
Textural
Textural patterns are made up of textures such as wood grain, marble, and stone. They can be used for a variety of applications, including fabrics and wallpapers. As an example, take a look at the background of Karen’s abstract pattern. There you can see a texture that enriches the overall design.
Techniques that can be used
There are two main techniques used in surface pattern design: hand-drawn and digital.
Hand-drawn
Hand-drawn patterns are created using traditional art supplies such as pencils, pens, and paint. These designs have a unique and personal feel that can't be replicated digitally despite the great diversity of digital brushes that resemble traditional strokes.
I invited Luciana Torre, an illustrator and surface designer that prefers to illustrate traditionally, to talk a bit about her process for this article.
“My creative process always starts with manual illustration, sketching on paper and painting in watercolour, then I scan the illustrations and compose the design in photoshop. The way I create the illustrations on paper depends on the type of design I'm creating. For example: if the final work is going to be a pattern, I create small individual drawings that I will then use to create the repeating pattern. If I am creating a card I will create the illustration as finished as possible directly on the paper, and eventually I will retouch certain details in photoshop. It's a long process, but traditional illustration is my strong point and allows me to keep my visual language more coherent, which makes my style unique and more recognizable. Also, painting in watercolor is the medium that gives me the most satisfaction and enjoyment! I love the unpredictable play of texture that the pigments give on the paper and the delicacy of the paper and watery.”
Repeated patterns created manually: motifs painted in watercolour and pattern set up in photoshop. Illustrations created by Luciana Torre.
Stand alone illustration, by Luciana Torre.
To know more about Luciana’s work, check her portfolio at www.lucianatorre.com and on instagram @lucianatorreart
Digital
Digital patterns are created using software such as Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop, for example. These designs can be easily manipulated and scaled to different sizes, making them ideal for a range of applications.
I create many patterns only digitally using either of those tools. However, I prefer to start sketching in the paper. Depending on the desired result, I can scan the sketch and continue to work digitally or I paint the sketch on paper with gouache and after that I scan it and work digitally over the painted motifs.
I tend to use watercolour to do some experiments and get more creative but most of the time I prefer gouache either for patterns or illustrations, I think it’s just a personal choice.
Tile compositions
When creating a surface pattern design, it's important to consider how the design will be repeated because it affects the way motifs are placed in the tile. There are several tile compositions to choose from, such as:
Grid
Grid patterns are created by repeating the design in a straight horizontal and vertical grid. They are placed side by side.
Half-drop
Half-drop patterns are created by offsetting the design half a tile along a column. In the image below I deconstructed a pattern of mine so you can see where the tiles join together. Adobe Illustrator provides a nice interface to build this type of pattern.
Brick
Brick patterns are created by offsetting the design half a tile along a row. It’s similar to the Half-drop but oriented horizontally.
When building a pattern, the tricky part is to know where to place the motifs that cross the tile boundaries. For each type of tile composition it’s different. However, all these variations can be transformed into the simplest one, the grid pattern. In this case, all the motifs that cross the upper boundary have to be repeated to cross the bottom boundary. Also, the ones crossing the left boundary have to be repeated to cross the right boundary. Keeping just this rule in mind, you can build any pattern you want!
Let me show you as an example how the half-drop repeat can be converted in a grid pattern. Let’s find the grid pattern tile. Choose one point to start drawing a rectangle and end it in the place where that point appears again in the design, as in the image below. This rectangle is your grid tile. You can confirm that motifs are repeated in the boundaries as I explained above. Simple, isn’t it?
What software can be used to create a pattern digitally?
There are several software options for creating digital patterns, such as:
- Adobe Illustrator: a vector-based software that is ideal for creating clean, precise designs.
- Adobe Photoshop: a raster-based software that is ideal for creating more complex designs with textures and gradients.
- Procreate: a digital drawing and painting app that is popular among surface pattern designers.
- CorelDRAW: a vector-based software that is similar to Adobe Illustrator.
Where can patterns be found in industry?
In a single word, everywhere!
Surface patterns can be found in a wide variety of industries, including:
- Textiles: patterns are commonly used in fabrics for fashion, quilting, pouches, bags and home decor.
- Stationery: such as greeting cards, notebooks, calendars, tape, notepads and wrapping paper.
- Home decor: patterns can be found in pillows, quilts, dinnerware, rugs and curtains.
- Technology: phone cases, wallpapers for computers and phones and accessories.
- Other: wallpaper, art prints, etc.
Conclusion
In conclusion, surface pattern design is a fascinating and diverse field that offers endless possibilities for creativity and expression. Whether you're interested in hand-drawn or digital techniques, there are plenty of options to choose from when creating your designs. With a range of applications in industries such as fashion, home decor, stationery, technology and a lot more, surface pattern design is a highly versatile and sought-after skill. So don't be afraid to dive in and start exploring the world of surface pattern design - there are no secrets, just endless opportunities for inspiration and innovation!
Andreia
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