Explore: Repeat Patterns & Visual Metaphors
In this workshop we will explore the creation of radial pattern design.
Vocabulary:
Arc, concentric, geometric, radial, balance, contrast, angle, protractor, parallel, compass, symmetry, pattern, intersect, bisect
What is Radial Design? What are examples in various cultures?
Vocabulary:
Arc, concentric, geometric, radial, balance, contrast, angle, protractor, parallel, compass, symmetry, pattern, intersect, bisect
What is Radial Design? What are examples in various cultures?
Above (L to R): Mayan Calendar by Theilr (Flickr): Creative Commons Attribution Licensing.
Middle: Tibetan Monks create a Mandala Mandala (literally, circle in Sanskrit) is of Hindu origin, but is also used in Buddhist context, to refer to various tangible objects. In practice, mandala has become a generic term for any plan, chart, or geometric pattern which represents the cosmos metaphysically or symbolically, a microcosm of the universe from the human perspective.
[from en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mandala] Photo by Paolo Massa (creative commons attribution licensing)
Right: Shaldon: hubcap tepees in Ireland. (Chris Downer) / CC BY-SA 2.0
Middle: Tibetan Monks create a Mandala Mandala (literally, circle in Sanskrit) is of Hindu origin, but is also used in Buddhist context, to refer to various tangible objects. In practice, mandala has become a generic term for any plan, chart, or geometric pattern which represents the cosmos metaphysically or symbolically, a microcosm of the universe from the human perspective.
[from en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mandala] Photo by Paolo Massa (creative commons attribution licensing)
Right: Shaldon: hubcap tepees in Ireland. (Chris Downer) / CC BY-SA 2.0
Step -by -Step
Materials: colored sharpies, pencils and tracing paper cut into squares.
1. Making the guidelines: a. fold your square into a triangle. b. Fold your triangle into a smaller triangle c. Open up your paper and lay it flat. Now fold it in half into a rectangle. d. Fold this rectangle in half into a square. Lay paper flat again.
2. Create a radial pattern tile: You will notice that your square piece of paper is now creased showing eight triangles. Choose one triangle (1/8) of your paper and create a pattern in that area. Sketch you idea out in pencil first in that area. Then use colored marker. Be sure not to create a design that crosses over into the other triangles near it.
What to draw? Think of imagery from your community, the nature around you, your favorite place to hang out after school, a favorite dish your grandma makes....These all can be represented in drawings.
3. Trace pattern to neighboring triangle creating 1/4 of radial repeat: Fold paper in half in a triangle so that drawing side is towards the outside and so that you can trace your pattern on neighboring triangle. (see video below)
4. Trace pattern onto another 1/4 of paper. Open up paper to see design. Now fold paper in half as a triangle so that you can trace the design onto the other side of the paper. You will now have 1/2 of your pattern design created.
5. Trace pattern onto remaining 1/2 of paper. Open up paper and lay flat. (be careful not to smear colors as marker on tracing paper takes a while to dry). Now fold paper in to a rectangle to trace onto last remaining two 1/4 sections.
Step by step video below:
1. Making the guidelines: a. fold your square into a triangle. b. Fold your triangle into a smaller triangle c. Open up your paper and lay it flat. Now fold it in half into a rectangle. d. Fold this rectangle in half into a square. Lay paper flat again.
2. Create a radial pattern tile: You will notice that your square piece of paper is now creased showing eight triangles. Choose one triangle (1/8) of your paper and create a pattern in that area. Sketch you idea out in pencil first in that area. Then use colored marker. Be sure not to create a design that crosses over into the other triangles near it.
What to draw? Think of imagery from your community, the nature around you, your favorite place to hang out after school, a favorite dish your grandma makes....These all can be represented in drawings.
3. Trace pattern to neighboring triangle creating 1/4 of radial repeat: Fold paper in half in a triangle so that drawing side is towards the outside and so that you can trace your pattern on neighboring triangle. (see video below)
4. Trace pattern onto another 1/4 of paper. Open up paper to see design. Now fold paper in half as a triangle so that you can trace the design onto the other side of the paper. You will now have 1/2 of your pattern design created.
5. Trace pattern onto remaining 1/2 of paper. Open up paper and lay flat. (be careful not to smear colors as marker on tracing paper takes a while to dry). Now fold paper in to a rectangle to trace onto last remaining two 1/4 sections.
Step by step video below:
Digital tools
We will explore geometry principals in textile design. We will use SumoPaint and the kaleidoscope filter. We will use Repper.