Pattern Design

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Summary: Learn to Discern the Geometry of Patterns
Review: For anyone interested in designing patterns this book is a classic reference. Many types of patterns are analyzed - from the most simple designs based on the square to quite complex patterns of drop, turnover, turnround, repeats, borders, scaffolding, etc. The book illustrates with plenty of diagrams of pattern designs from different ages and cultures around the world. The emphasis is not so much on any particular culture's patterns so much as trying to lay bare the geometric principles behind these patterns. Thus you'll see some examples from cultures as diverse as the Ancient Greeks and Victorian England - each with patterns that look quite different - yet the author shows the geometry behind these example patterns and how they were built up are the same.

One chapter considers how the introduction of color can change the overall perception of a pattern. In some cases the author holds it can reveal weakness in a pattern design that black and white only might hide. There is a chapter that examines how the nature of the material to be used for the pattern can have a great effect on the pattern design. Weaving and textiles are given special consideration. The final chapter is a special addition by Amor Fenn who is himself an author of various books on pattern design. This chapter covers some developments in pattern design from ancient times to the time of Fenn's contribution (1933).

Overall, I would say this book is probably best used as a reference and study of the principles of various types of patterns. However, don't expect any step-by-step instructions on how to create any such patterns yourself. You will need other books for practice in that area. Use it as a guide, a reference to train your eye to discern which geometric principle to use for the kind of pattern you want (or to identify one someone else has made). Also, as a previous reviewer noted, the language has an antique style. I happen to like that kind of writing but others may find it off-putting and hard to read. If you enjoy such writing this book is a very rewarding and enlightening read.

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Summary: Ornamental Pattern for the Web, too!
Review: The first edition of this book was published in 1903. This would seem to place it as a popular work for the ornamental design of the previous decade (Victorian, etc). The second edition of 1933 was made over by an author named Amor Fenn who rearranged some chapters and added more about borders. The basic concepts of pattern design (i.e. wallpaper, rugs, etc.) are explained in that endearing early 20th century patter that turned everything around so they could say 5 words in 20; pre-entertainment-overload days! I took these drafting examples right into Photoshop and Illustrator and created several rough MacIntosh like Victorian wallpapers in a short time... copy/paste, flip, and snap-to made this an easy trial. Taking the same trials and thinking 100 years into the future made web background pattern construction a breeze. Cool. ...and everything in between, this could get fun. An excellent reference shelf item

Rating:
Summary: Ornamental Pattern for the Web, too!
Review: The first edition of this book was published in 1903. This would seem to place it as a popular work for the ornamental design of the previous decade (Victorian, etc). The second edition of 1933 was made over by an author named Amor Fenn who rearranged some chapters and added more about borders. The basic concepts of pattern design (i.e. wallpaper, rugs, etc.) are explained in that endearing early 20th century patter that turned everything around so they could say 5 words in 20; pre-entertainment-overload days! I took these drafting examples right into Photoshop and Illustrator and created several rough MacIntosh like Victorian wallpapers in a short time... copy/paste, flip, and snap-to made this an easy trial. Taking the same trials and thinking 100 years into the future made web background pattern construction a breeze. Cool. ...and everything in between, this could get fun. An excellent reference shelf item