In this course, The Power of the Pattern Tool for Polishing, I’m sharing everything I’ve learned for checking and fixing design errors with my pattern design. The goal is to make our patterns as polished as humanly possible! This course follows up the Folk Art Inspired Half Drop Toss Pattern Class, and the Pattern Design Optimized Workflow Class, where we worked with templates, transformation, and many other Illustrator functions to create the patterns and optimize our workflow. I will be using all the assets developed during that course, so it is perfect as part of the continuum. At this point, I review 6 different patterns to show you what to look for to present the most professional finished patterns.

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I’ll show you my step-by-step process, from my tricks to recognizing errors and design flaws in the first place to specific methods for correcting these. We will work with the assets created in the previous classes so I can explain every step I take, and I will share the rationale of everything I do. We will be using the Pattern Editor for almost everything! Simply double-click the pattern swatch and you are in! All the concepts can be used in any patterns you make down the line, and the skills are transferable to any software that has similar functionality. The value of a course like this, especially when you are first starting out, cannot be underestimated! I wish I had been given this info when I first started designing patterns!

As far as prerequisite skills, I would recommend some knowledge of pattern-making with the goal of wanting to learn additional techniques. In class, we’ll talk about both design and technical aspects of pattern repeats. We’ll discuss all the foundational approaches which enhance and reinforce “training your eye”. I will be demonstrating using Illustrator, but it’s the concepts that are important, and these could easily be applied to similar software as well. Although some of the steps may seem confusing, I will demonstrate them at a reasonable pace so that it will be easy to follow along. This course is for all levels; I recommend being acquainted with Illustrator somewhat, and, also knowing the basic principles of creating pattern repeats, but most steps are explained very thoroughly. If you took the other two courses in this continuum, you are all set. I suggest pausing and repeating sections and possibly even slowing the speed in your browser when trying to work through any difficult parts. Adobe Illustrator is recommended for this class, as that is what is being featured here, but it’s the methods you are learning, so those will apply to whatever software you currently use.

The key concepts I will include:

review of my techniques in viewing and critiquing your own work
methods to edit and deal with specific issues like striping, banding, imbalances, etc
organizational considerations replacing original patterns with the new, edited versions
good examples, reference and inspiration for reinforcing the goal
other approaches you can take in your creative surface pattern design work

This course is packed with ample amounts of information for you no matter what stage you are at in your career. Embark on your learning journey to creating beautiful patterns with this series of classes, so you can be benefitting from this practical knowledge in your design practice! Being efficient and working faster and more effectively is absolutely obtainable with this small investment of time. Let’s dig in!

Intro: The Power of the Pattern Tool for Polishing

This short intro will give you an overview of the class and rationale for use of templates.

Lesson 1: Tips for Critique of Your Pattern Collection

In this lesson, I will give you a thorough background and overview of how we will cover all aspects of correcting out patterns. It starts with a quick look at some problems.

Lesson 2: Using the Pattern Tool for Adjustments

In this lesson, I demonstrate the use of the transform template from the other class and explain its virtues. I take the opportunity to reinforce keyboard shortcuts and I share a few other tips and tricks. We do our first critical analysis of a pattern swatch. I explain the virtues of using screenshot and printed examples to help us in our process. We will be using the pattern tool for any edits.

Lesson 3: Balancing and Fixing Common Problems

I continue to demonstrate the use of the pattern design tool for editing and I explain the value of the icons and motifs previously saved. The layers panel is explained in this lesson, showing you we have access to all Illustrator functions while in edit mode. Throughout the lesson we talk about resolving balance issues.

Lesson 4: Toss Pattern Pitfalls to Avoid

I review the toss pattern and how to test it. Once we have analyzed it, we move into making the necessary fixes.

Lesson 5: Removing Pesky Diagonal Banding

Diagonal banding can be tricky to get rid of, but I show you how I do it in a step-by-step way. I show you the rearrangement of elements to reduce the appearance of the banding and equalizing the white space. We work with a 20x20 repeat here to really help hide the edges and we use warping and pathfinder to help us change the shapes of some of the elements.

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Lesson 6: Symmetry and Vertical Lines

This lesson digs deeper into symmetry and ways to deal with vertical banding if it occurs in this type of design. We explore a few different techniques and use the power of the alignment features in Illustrator to help distribute objects perfectly.

Outro

We will conclude everything in this lesson and I will share my social media sites.

Concepts covered:

Concepts covered include but are not limited to the Illustrator Pattern Design Tool for editing patterns, pattern design, repeated patterns, surface pattern design, Illustrator repeat, Illustrator transformation effect, the pathfinder palette, the warp tool, puppet warp, transformation templates, the appearance panel, arranging motifs, essential Illustrator keyboard shortcuts, optimizing Illustrator workflow, efficiency habits, double-checking and much more!

You will get the bonus of…

1 hour and 16 minutes of direction from an instructor who has been in the graphic design business and education for over 40 years
awareness of multiple approaches to resolve each design challenge
handouts explaining key concepts
a list of helpful online sites to further your education into surface pattern design.

Elena Bachurina

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