“What exactly is a pattern?” “Is it the same thing as an illustration?” These are questions I often hear when I talk about my work. So, I thought it would be interesting to explain it in more detail in an article.
To begin with, an illustration is simply a drawing or a visual. An illustration can be created either by hand or digitally using a wide variety of methods: pencils, paint, drawing software, collage, etc.
A pattern consists of one or more illustrations, which are arranged to create a repeating design (except in the case of a placed pattern; see further down in the article for more details on the different types of patterns).
The patterns can be used, for example, on fabric rolls, stationery items, wallpaper, or even on everyday objects (candles, tableware, packaging, etc.).
The Different Types of Patterns
There are three types of patterns, which differ in whether or not they repeat.
All-over pattern:
It is a pattern that repeats endlessly. It repeats both horizontally and vertically. As can be seen below, the strawberry pattern repeats upward, downward, to the left, and to the right.
Partially placed pattern:
This pattern repeats only horizontally. In other words, it does not repeat downward or upward, but only to the left and right.
Pattern placement:
This pattern does not repeat at all, either vertically or horizontally. The placed pattern is an illustration that can be positioned precisely. Here it is centered, but it could also be in a corner or elsewhere.
Leave a comment