“It has been said that everything everywhere affects everything else. This may be true. Or perhaps the world is just full of patterns.” – Terry Pratchett
The previous tutorial covered a general overview of eight variations of the Two Dominant compositional device. This art design tutorial describes the Pattern Compositional Device plus all variations.
Pattern Composition
Patterns in design are not just decorative—they are storytelling tools. Whether they echo the natural world, symbolize cultural identity, or play with abstract forms, patterns carry deep artistic significance and endless creative potential.
Their thoughtful integration can transform the purpose of any design into a harmonious and visually compelling artwork.
Some examples of pattern in design:
- Backgrounds: Patterns add depth to surfaces without overwhelming the main content.
- Textile Design: Pattern is a rendering style often used in textile design. Wallpaper and decorative tile are perfect examples of its use in home decor.
- Branding: They create recognizable textures or themes for a brand, adding personality and identity.
- Packaging: Patterns can make products visually appealing and memorable on crowded shelves.
- Web Design: Subtle patterns provide texture while keeping interfaces clean and user-friendly.
- Printed Art: Greeting cards, wall art, and fine art paintings integrate patterned designs to help tell the story the artist wishes to convey.
Pattern One Dominant
This patterned artwork’s secondary feature is the hummingbird in the center of the dominant circle.
Imagine the image in multiples butting up to each other as a tiled floor on an indoor porch that backs up to a garden.
The pattern is the dominant device featuring a larger hummingbird in the center of each tile.
However, the secondary one dominant circle adds variation to the design. The varied size of the hummingbird adds an interesting element.
Pattern Two Dominant
The two hummingbirds side by side are secondary to the lacy patterned design supporting the birds. The lace touches the edges of the composition.
Without the patterned background element the image would fall into the previous tutorials description. The lacy patterned design is what sets the tone and style.
The birds bring the artwork to life and give it greater purpose.
Similar to a secondary device of One Dominant, the Two Dominant device is often incorporated into similar types of artwork.
Pattern – Pattern
This visual example of pattern variations incorporates this style as a primary and secondary device!
The green background leaves are patterned in the background over the green opaque field as the primary design.
If the image were laid out like a tiled floor, the edges would seamlessly flow from one tile to the next.
The hummingbird pattern becomes the supportive device, adding depth to the graphic.
Pattern Negative Positive
Pattern Negative Positive is usually visually bold and makes a color statement.
The contrasting nature of the open negative space becomes defined by the opaque or tonal area defining this rendering style.
Many cultural designs incorporate a simple Pattern reflective of their identity and symbolism.
Abstract art also lends well to patterned designs with negative positive as a secondary element where shape makes an impactful statement.
Pattern Structure
Repetitive lines, angles, and shapes lend well to Pattern Structure composition.
A spiderweb is a perfect example of a Patterned Structure found in nature.
Again, always remember that Pattern is the primary and Structure is the secondary device.
Pattern is achieved in this example by the nature of the angled grid-work, even though the lines may appear random.
The angular nature of the artwork creates the structural effect.
Pattern Movement
In this design style, the pattern and the secondary device combine to set the visual appeal.
Pattern is still the primary element. Movement is what describes the nature of the pattern.
Movement becomes supportive of the intent of the design.
If the artwork were laid tile to tile, it would create a seamless design that would be perfect for incorporating into a textile design.
Can you imagine wallpaper, pillows, drapes, or tiles printed with a flowing graphic?
Pattern Frame
Even though the compositional style of Pattern Frame may reveal a sense of perspective, Pattern is still the primary device, and Frame is the secondary device.
Notice how this example’s rendering uses repetitive squares.
While the squares’ layering with the patterned design adds depth, the use of framing describes the supportive element.
An opaque frame surrounds the design and blends into the positive space.
Pattern Perspective
The combination of Pattern as the primary element and Perspective as a subordinate element can create fascinating, sometimes futuristic artwork.
This combination mimics nature in this illustration example.
The repetitive trunks of the trees represent the foreground pattern. The background is defined by repetitive tonal rectangular shapes, giving the viewer an impression of the distant sky and the ground supporting the smaller leafy trees.
Again, it’s easy to see that Pattern is the primary device, while perspective is subordinate.
This last description sums up all eight composition descriptions of the variations of Pattern!
Art Play
What a fantastic opportunity to expand your art skills by adding examples to your art journal. You can combine collecting examples and rendering your own ideas. Remember, being an artist gives opportunity to redesign an idea over and over in variations! Learning is best when we set aside playful time.
Downloadable Design Guide
The next tutorial covers variations for the next set of eight devices, and how the Negative Positive device is expressed in each one.
To find links to every lesson, click > Art & Design Tutorial Table of Contents
Leave a Reply