Summer loon pattern
For the repeat pattern project in my illustration class, I was tasked with designing a pattern based on a specific seasonal motif. The goal was to create a seamless tile that could be repeated infinitely to fit any shape or form.
The process involved carefully constructing a base tile, ensuring that all elements aligned perfectly when repeated. To achieve this, each form must be reflected across the edges of the tile—meaning that any shape or line extending beyond one side was mirrored on the opposite edge. This technique ensured that when tiled, the design would seamlessly connect without visible breaks or misalignments. Beyond the technical aspect the tile also has to stand alone on its own as an interesting composition while creating a larger cohesive pattern when duplicated.
Design goals and intention
For my design, I chose a summer theme centered around the common loon, my favorite bird. The loon evokes nostalgic memories from my childhood and is inherently beautiful. I focused on the key elements that represent my connection to the loon: the bird itself, its fish prey, the currents that guide it, and the sun illuminating its sleek silhouette.
These elements are arranged in a way that creates a continuous flow throughout the design, reflecting a specific time and place from my memory in an abstract and flattened style. The original blue and red color palette represents and elevates the stark contrasting colors of the loon itself.
Textile mockup
I took the pattern a step further by applying it to a form beyond a simple square—an undergarment. This demonstrated the pattern’s adaptability and versatility when wrapped around a more organic shape. The simplicity and careful craftsmanship of the design ensure that it can be seamlessly replicated across both two-dimensional and three-dimensional surfaces, making it suitable for a variety of decorative applications.
