I'll get right to the point: I am obsessed with symmetrical patterns!:D Exploring different tiles sizes and distortions leads to creating patterns in slightly different styles. And whilst I am posting this, I am really into these relatively small (512px) tiles with obvious repeats. Some of them give me a retro wallpaper vibe — in a good way — but in any case it is fascinating to see so many different patterns created so easily and quickly!

Naturally, I've generated more patterns than I can keep track off in my brain, so to make it easier for me to find and select pattern swatches i want to use, I decided to create 4-tile previews (so I can see how the repeats work) and print them out. 

Putting them into my sketchbook also makes it easy to analyse what I like about the patterns — but you could also print out pages with multiple patterns and make notes on them, if like me, you prefer having something physical in front of you to look at and reflect upon. 

In any case, having my patterns outside of Photoshop and Pattern Swatches window makes me feel organised and in control!:D

 

Stay tuned for some mock-ups using these patterns above, and in the meantime, here are some of my favourite application mock-up ideas using other patterns:

 

Using oversized patterns makes it so easy to apply their different fragments across a series of designs without making it look like you are obviously reusing the same design. All this paint can have different fragment of the pattern used as a background in the image.

 

Another example of using oversized patterns within products and branding. Ideally coffee shop would have a slightly less contrasty design — so might need to work on colouring here! But these bowl and plates I just adore in the natural earthy-clay look!

Did I say I love looking for faces, creatures and objects in this sort of symmetrical patterns?;) Well, here you go!

 

I'll stop here for now, but check back in future to see more fun patterns and mock-ups!

 

Thanks for watching, hope you are enjoying creating your patterns as much as I am!

—Evgeniya