Pattern investigation

A pattern is a repetitive arrangement of elements, shapes, or forms that creates a visually coherent and harmonious design. Patterns can be found in various aspects of art, nature, and human-made objects. They are used to convey order, rhythm, and visual interest.

Patterns can be classed as geometric or organic patterns:

Geometric Patterns:

Geometric patterns are characterized by precise, regular, and symmetrical arrangements of geometric shapes such as squares, circles, triangles, and rectangles. These patterns often follow mathematical principles and are typically man-made or human-designed. Geometric patterns convey a sense of order, symmetry, and precision. They are commonly found in architecture, textiles, and graphic design.

Examples of geometric patterns include:

Checkerboard Pattern:

Alternating black and white squares in a grid.

Herringbone Pattern:

Diagonal rows of rectangles or parallelograms.

Mosaic Pattern:

Small tiles or pieces arranged in a repeated geometric design.

Tessellations:

Interlocking shapes that cover a surface without overlapping.

Organic Patterns:

Organic patterns are characterized by irregular, asymmetrical, and freeform arrangements of shapes and elements that mimic patterns found in nature. These patterns often lack strict mathematical precision and instead emphasize fluidity, curves, and natural forms. Organic patterns can be seen as more spontaneous and less structured compared to geometric patterns.

Examples of organic patterns include:

Floral Patterns: Repetitive designs inspired by flowers and plants, often featuring flowing curves and irregular shapes.

Marble Veining: Natural patterns found in marble and other stone materials, showcasing intricate, non-repeating veins and swirls.

Wood Grain: The natural patterns created by the growth rings and textures of wood.

Animal Prints: Patterns inspired by the skin or fur of animals, such as leopard spots or zebra stripes.

As stated in the project design restrictions -

"2. The table must combine mostly wood in a geometric pattern of wood and utilise a filler."

Therefore you will focus on investigating geometric pattern styles!

Lesson Task

Choose one or two of the geometric pattern styles listed below and make an information / inspiration poster about your research using Procreate.

When you have finished, hand it in on the Google Classroom and add your Pattern Inspiration board to your digital portfolio.
You should include a summary paragraph alongside the image of your work on your digital portfolio.

Mosaic

A mosaic is like a picture made from lots of tiny colorful pieces. Mosaics are a creative way to make something beautiful out of many small parts.

These small pieces are called tesserae, and they are usually made from various materials like glass, stones, or tiles.

People arrange these tiny pieces on a surface, like a wall or a floor, to create a beautiful design or picture. It's a bit like putting together a jigsaw puzzle, but instead of using one big piece, you use many small pieces to create the picture you want.

Mosaics have been used for thousands of years to decorate buildings, floors, and artworks. They can show anything from simple patterns to detailed scenes from stories or nature.

Islamic

Islamic art is renowned for its intricate geometric patterns, which are often found in architecture, textiles, and calligraphy.

Key geometric elements include star patterns, tessellations (repeated interlocking shapes), and intricate geometric tilework.

These patterns are used to create stunning and highly symmetrical designs in mosques, palaces, and other Islamic structures.

Art Deco

Art Deco, prominent in the 1920s and 1930s, is characterized by its emphasis on luxury, elegance, and geometric design.

Geometric patterns in Art Deco often feature sharp angles, zigzags, and stepped forms.

They are prominently displayed in architecture, interior design, jewelry, and fashion.

Bauhaus

The Bauhaus school, founded in Germany in the early 20th century, had a profound influence on modern design.

Geometric shapes like squares, triangles, and circles were central to Bauhaus design philosophy.

These shapes were used in furniture, architecture, and graphic design to achieve functional and minimalist aesthetics.

Tesselation

M.C Escher Sky and water

Roger Penrose - penrose tiling

Tessellations are typically composed of basic geometric shapes such as triangles, squares, hexagons, and rhombuses.

They often exhibit symmetry, with rotational, reflective, or glide symmetry properties

Shape tessellation

Minimalism

Minimalism, from the mid-20th century, focuses on simplicity, repetition, and the use of minimal elements.

Artists like Donald Judd and Dan Flavin created sculptures and installations characterized by clean lines and geometric shapes.

Pop Art

Emerging in the 1950s and 1960s, Pop Art celebrates popular culture and everyday objects.

Artists like Andy Warhol and Roy Lichtenstein incorporated imagery from consumer products and mass media into their works.

Optical Art

Op Art emerged in the 1960s and used geometric patterns to create visual illusions and kinetic effects.

Artists like Bridget Riley employed precise arrangements of geometric shapes to make two-dimensional artworks appear three-dimensional

Some artworks create the illusion of movement

Aztec & Inca

Aztecs were a group of people in ancient Mexico. Incas lived in South America in the mountains.

Aztecs made colorful and symmetrical designs using shapes like squares and triangles. whikst incas made patterns by carefully fitting stones together in buildings.
Aztecs liked using bright colors and feathers in their art and clothes. Inca clothes had pretty designs and symbols too.
incas used knotted cords called "khipu" to record things.
both aztecs and incas were really good at weaving patterns into their clothes.

Both Aztec and Inca patterns are important parts of their history and culture. They used patterns to make things look beautiful and to share messages.

EXAMPLES

Step 1: Plan your layout or poster grid

Step 2: Use the masking tool to section shapes

Step 3: Add text to describe your patterns

Version 1. After creating version 1, I duplicated the file and made a version 2. The photos were the same. The text was similar but the layour different.

I was aiming to write longer paragraphs which held more information so they were more meaningful.

I draw a basic grid with a black pen tool, then later hid the layer to leave white gaps

I used the masking tool to section of different shapes to create a pattern of my own.

Bauhaus Example

My pattern board has lots of layers. To make the text i formatted my fonts once and then duplicated the text layed to make the others match the style

I used guides and grids to layout my template for my page in a square tile format

I used the mask / invert tool to select each square tile and erase the images outside this area

Three finger swipe up opens the cut menu to quickly cut the backgroung with a specific layer selected

Art Deco example

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