Owning It: Design: Projects: Tessellations

Create a repeating geometric pattern!

  • How do I create a compelling visual pattern?

What am I making?

How do I make it?

Steps

  1. Create a Rectangle or Hexagon using the appropriate shape tool in Illustrator

    • Select a Fill color for the object

    • Select "empty" (red slash) for the Stroke - you don't want a stroke for this!

  2. In the Windows menu, choose the Toolbars menu, and select Advanced

  3. Use the Knife tool to cut a piece out of half the sides and attach those pieces to the opposite sides

    • The Knife tool should be under the Eraser tool;

      • if not, go to the ... button at the bottom of the tools and find it under Modify

    • Cut a piece on one side of your shape

    • Use the Black arrow to double-click on your cut piece, then move it to the opposite side so it's exactly along the edge

    • Press the Esc key when it's where you want it

    • Repeat this 1 or 2 times for other sides of your rectangle or hexagon

  4. Use the Black arrow to draw a box around your shape,

    • then use the Object menu, Group command to join all your pieces into one shape

  5. Using Edit menu, Copy and Edit menu, Paste or by holding down the option key and dragging,

    • make 3 copies of your shape (for the Hexagon, can try 6!)

  6. Choose a different Fill color for each copy

  7. Using the Black arrow, Move all shapes so they border each other and interlock

    • Minimize Gaps - make sure there's almost no space between pieces! If necessary, start over to redesign your shapes!

  8. Using the Black arrow, Select all shapes that are interlocking, drawing a box around them

    • then use the Object menu, Group command to join all your pieces into one shape

  9. Using Copy and Paste or option-dragging, create copies of the shape, and fit them together so the whole Artboard (rectangle of white paper) is covered

    • let go of the option key when moving shapes, otherwise you get more copies!

  10. File menu: Save in your Period folder

  11. File menu: Export menu: Export As... and use the PNG format, High resolution

    • Check the Artboards checkbox so it crops your pattern to fit into a rectangle!

  12. On Google Sites, under Pages, create a new page called Tessellations.

  13. Add your downloaded Tessellations image.

  14. Write about a skill you learned with Illustrator - Knife tool is a good example! - explain how you made it work effectively!

  15. When done, push the Publish button, review the settings, and publish.

  16. Then click the chain-link button, Copy the link for your page, and turn in the link.

Grading

  • Repeating pattern of 4 or more different-colored Shapes

  • Fill the Artboard

  • Minimize gaps (spaces between shapes)

  • Export the Artboard so the Pattern is Cropped along the Artboard edges

  • What I Learned describes an Illustrator Tool or Skill

Career Connections

  • Knowing how to make Patterns is useful for Graphic Design

Resources