This class, Affinity Designer Quick Repeat Patterns Using Symbols, is the third in a 3-part series to introduce you to the Affinity Designer software. We created a bunch of retro flowers in the last class and arranged them into an attractive “frame”. Now we are ready to learn the fundamentals of pattern design. Of course, I am going to tie in a lot of tips and tricks to make it interesting for you. The bonus is, by the end of the class, you will have a template to use for all future grid-style repeats you wish to produce. Not only that, but you will have your first Affinity Designer pattern design under your belt.I take you step-by-step through the whole process of creating this document. It has symbols as the basis for all future pattern design in Affinity Designer. The symbol structure is what makes the repeat view possible. The cool thing is that we again use the symbols library we created in the first and second class. At the end, I show you how to export the single repeat swatch and test it in Procreate. We will then take these swatches, repeat them, and use them in the production of our mock-ups. As a bonus, if you are a student, you can use a coupon code to get the mock-up I created for FREE!

In this class I’ll walk you through:

my step-by-step method for setting up a grid repeat template in Affinity Designer
tips for arranging the pattern of flowers attractively
how to use clipping masks in the mock up
color and design considerations
how to make quick and easy co-ordinates

This is just another step towards learning vector software, and my guidance will guide you through the challenges. This class will benefit anyone looking to add pattern design in a vector program to their list of skills.

The key concepts I will include:

why vector patterns are so important
why symbols are imperative for pattern design in Affinity Designer
steps necessary to complete a perfect swatch for upload to POD sites

Learning another Affinity Designer skill is valuable, even if you are not sure what you will use the vector patten swatch for! Learning vector software workflows is ideal in our profession and are important for you to learn. We will do it, step-by-step, and think of further applications in future classes.

Intro to Affinity Designer Quick Repeat Patterns Using Symbols

This short intro will give you an overview of the class.

Lesson 1: Setting Up the Repeat Artboards

This lesson is about setting up the repeat artboards, which are technically symbols. I will show you each step. By the end of the lesson, we are ready to start to work on our repeat.

Lesson 2: Artboards, Symbols and Layers

In this lesson, I will break down the complete process of inserting a symbol and making sure it is added to the correct location in the layers’ palette. We insert a second symbol as well, and this symbol we repeat in the four corners. This ensures we have a full pattern repeat, just like that!

Lesson 3: Exporting and Testing Our First Pattern Tile

This video is about exporting and testing our first pattern tile. There are a few factors to take into consideration, and I explain them all. We will then take our tile into Procreate to test it. We do a quick second one to reinforce the steps.

Lesson 4: More Motifs to Fill Out Pattern

We will start to earnestly fill out our pattern with a bunch of the elements we have in our Symbols Studio. I explain some of the consideration for the arrangement. I realize I have left a few symbols behind in another document, so I show you how I rectify that problem.

Lesson 5: Filling Out and Perfecting the Pattern

In this lesson, we start getting to the finessing and finalizing stage. I will be positioning all the elements and then I will show you how to repeat elements that are cut off. You will use the transform studio extensively in this lesson. We are one step closer to finalizing our design now.

Lesson 6: Final Swatch Export, Test and Corrections

We do a final export on the swatch after we correct a couple of minor issues, and it is a good thing we do! The main color square in the background has shifted slightly which could have been disastrous. Doing a test ensures everything is perfect before you use it to order fabric or upload it to a POD site. Now we are ready to use it on a mock-up!

Lesson 7: Mock-up Options for Photoshop and Procreate

I show you a couple of quick mock-ups with the pattern. The first method is demonstrated in Photoshop where I show you how a smart object works to make the mock up creation process quicker. The second version is in Procreate where I demonstrate how a clipping mask works to make the process foolproof.

Lesson 8: Conclusion and Wrap Up

We will conclude everything in this lesson. I talk about what I think is so great about Affinity Designer and we end with a chat about next steps.

Concepts covered:

Concepts covered include but are not limited to Affinity Designer pattern repeats, Affinity Designer Vector Persona, layering, Affinity Designer Symbol Studio, Affinity Designer canvas settings, the artboard function, pattern design workflow best practices, Affinity Designer composites, Affinity Designer Color Studio, Affinity Designer Assets Studio, color swatches and importing colors, texture fills, and much more.

You will get the bonus of…

1 hour 6 minutes of direction from an instructor who has been in graphic design business and education for over 40 years
knowledge of multiple ways to solve each design challenge
a free mockup on which you can show your beautiful patterns

Mary Byerly

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