Surface Pattern Design Composition
Tips for Strong Pattern Compositions
A common challenge for new pattern designers is figuring out how to arrange their designs into repeating patterns with interesting compositions. As artists, we know how to create the motifs but what to do next is a common sticking point. I thought I would share my tips for building a successful pattern composition and things to look out for.
As you start building your patterns you will find the workflow and process that works for you. There is no wrong or right approach but I will share my process as a starting point and then you can adjust from there. I’ll be focusing on creating a scatter or random composition. Here are some examples of these types of patterns.
PREP
First, I gather my research and moodboards. I sketch out my motifs. I do this in a sketchbook or, more often I sketch them directly on my iPad on a canvas that is 3500 px by 3500 px. I prefer to work in a square but you don’t have to.
When drawing your motifs, I recommend that you draw more than you think you’ll need. Try drawing them from different angles and different sizes so you have options. I like to have a minimum of 7 motifs. My designs tend to be spread out so you will need more if you do a more complex or dense pattern. Having a variety of sizes and a variety of complexity in your motifs will help to create a more interesting composition.
Color
I like to have my color palette picked out before I go over my sketches. You should choose this next if you haven’t already identified it in your moodboard.
I then go over my motifs cleaning them up and using your color palette. I create my motifs using multiple layers and design each one separately. This makes it easier to adjust colors later.
Composition
Next, you want to start arranging your motifs. I tend to do this using the cross-section of my canvas, I move my designs along this area and play around with them until I like the look. A tip that has helped me in identifying interesting compositions is to divide your canvas into four sections and then place your motifs in each section. Here are some examples of this below.
Notice that no two circles are in the same row, this creates variety and flow. I specifically work around the center cross in my square so my compositions usually start with my largest motifs in an arrangement like this . . .
Compositional Tips
Some things to consider when creating your starting composition . . .
Will your composition be a directional design, two-directional, random, etc? That way you know which direction to arrange your designs.
Look for negative space. I like to make sure I don’t have any large negative space gaps or things aren’t too close together in another area.
Balance. You want your design to have balance, you can do that by making sure you have a range of different-sized motifs spread through your composition. You also want to look at color. Do you have color spaced throughout your design to create flow? You don’t want a bunch of one color in one area and not in another or it will create a focal point you may not want.
Tangents and rivers. If you overlap your motifs, make sure they overlap fully and that they don’t touch awkwardly. Look for weird flows like motifs that line up in a weird way or long spaces that create rivers through your design that are distracting.
My Workflow
Here is my typical workflow for creating a design.
Sketches
Create motifs
Arrange on the cross-section and mark the edges
Make 4-5 copies and pull the 4 to each corner
Fill in the center of the composition with extra motifs or create more
Test the pattern
Once I test the pattern I look for those different compositional challenges like rivers, negative space, flow, and balance. If there is an issue, I go back to that 5th copy and make adjustments or I work backward, make adjustments, and then retest the design.