Textile and surface pattern designers create original designs for a variety of products and surfaces, such as textiles, furnishings, wallpaper, ceramics, interiors, and stationery. To put it simply, think about the patterns you see every day—on your clothes, furniture, water bottle, or even your phone case. Patterns are all around us, and it's surface pattern designers who bring them to life.
These designers are the creative minds behind the colors and patterns we choose to wear and decorate our spaces with. From the patterns on your clothes to the prints on your bed linens or the designs on your coffee mugs, they help shape the visuals we live in, allowing us to express our individuality.
Endless Inspiration: What Kind of Patterns Can Designers Create?
When it comes to creating patterns, the possibilities are endless. There are countless themes and inspirations designers can draw from, which is part of the fun of being a textile designer. While it’s important to consider the target audience, inspiration can come from anywhere—nature, architecture, trends, or even abstract ideas.
Popular Surface Pattern Categories
Designers typically work within several key pattern categories, each offering unique creative opportunities. Let’s explore some of the most common:
1. Floral Patterns
Floral designs are the most widely used in textile and surface pattern design. However, within this category, there are many variations, such as chintzy flowers, Asian-inspired florals, or tropical patterns.
Designers also consider the types of flowers they incorporate. For instance, roses are popular in winter designs, while daisies are favored in spring. Tropical motifs, like hibiscus flowers and palm leaves, dominate summer collections. Early summer patterns may feature peonies, lilies, or tulips.
Beyond flower type, the medium used to depict these florals is crucial. Watercolor, gouache, inky lines, or even photographic florals can give a design a distinct look. Designers also play with the scale—oversized blooms make bold statements, while smaller, ditsy prints create a more delicate feel. Additionally, the layout of the pattern—whether it’s all-over, border, or placement—adds another layer of originality.
Floral designs are everywhere, from bed linens to dinnerware and stationery. According to The Design Agent, floral patterns rank high in customer searches, making them a popular choice for buyers.
2. Decorative Patterns
Decorative designs are another staple in the pattern world. While paisley is a classic, decorative patterns can also include intricate carpet motifs, ikat, Aztec, and tribal patterns. Tile-inspired designs and scarf prints also fall under this category.
Influences from art movements like Art Deco, Art Nouveau, or iconic designers like William Morris often shape decorative designs, creating timeless looks for modern textiles.
3. Geometric Patterns
Geometric patterns have been particularly popular in recent years. These designs allow designers to experiment with shape and color. Basic shapes like circles, triangles, and squares form the foundation, but the possibilities expand far beyond. Designers often mix in additional motifs, like floral elements, to create more dynamic patterns.
Hexagons, for example, are commonly used in geometric designs. While they might not be immediately obvious, a closer look often reveals the repeating shapes that form the foundation of these patterns.
4. Conversational Patterns
Conversational designs have seen a surge in popularity, especially post-pandemic. These playful patterns feature motifs that tell a story or spark conversation, often used in fashion and home decor.
Children’s clothing is a prime example, featuring cute animals, whimsical bugs, or fun dinosaurs. However, conversational prints aren’t just for kids. Sophisticated versions might include Japanese cranes, fruit, or celestial themes like constellations and zodiac signs, which have found their way into adult fashion, including men’s shirts and women’s bomber jackets.
5. Abstract and Textural Patterns
Abstract designs often overlap with textural patterns, as both rely on unconventional shapes, lines, and techniques. These designs may be inspired by nature, like water ripples or marble swirls, or they might feature abstract mark-making with dots, lines, and textures.
Houndstooth is a classic example of a pattern that can be categorized as both abstract and geometric, depending on the approach. Designers often experiment with different mediums to create unique textures, adding a modern twist to traditional patterns.
6. Animal and Animal Skin Prints
Animal prints, from leopard spots to snake skin, are a fashion favorite, frequently seen on the runway. Beyond skin patterns, animals themselves are popular motifs in surface design. Whether it’s jungle animals like lions and tigers or beloved pets like cats and dogs, animal patterns are used on everything from tea towels to pajamas.
7. Seasonal and Holiday Designs
Designers often create patterns for specific seasons or holidays, with Christmas being one of the largest markets. Despite working on these designs during the summer months, textile designers need to continuously find fresh ways to depict classic themes like Santa Claus or Christmas trees, challenging their creativity with each new collection.
Specialization in Surface Pattern Design
While some designers create patterns for various surfaces, most specialize in a particular niche. For example, a designer might focus on women’s fashion prints or home decor textiles. While many designers study textile design at university, the rise of digital tools has made it possible for illustrators, artists, and graphic designers to break into surface pattern design as well.
The Often Overlooked Role of Textile Designers
Many people mistakenly believe textile designers make clothes, but the truth is, most pattern designers don’t even know how to sew! Instead, they are the unseen creators behind the endless array of patterns we encounter in our everyday lives. From wallpaper to fabric, almost every surface with a design has a textile designer’s creative touch behind it.
