5 Great Pattern Design Resources
So here are 5 great pattern resources I use and have used in my work, they are all free as I am an advocate that basic information should not be locked behind a paywall.
With that, all these resources can be used to build the foundations of your pattern creation journey. Everything else that you may want to advance yourself in, may rightly so require you to dip into your finances for.
Right, onto the list!
Adobe Color
Create your own colour palettes as well as explore an ever growing selection of color palettes created by the Adobe Color creative community. You can also browse trends and view Pantone colours.
Due to it being an Adobe service, to make the most of it you will need an Adobe subscription but if not, you can still create and explore the service without hindrance. The subscription really just enables you to save your colour creations as well as download and save palettes to be used in Adobe softwares.
YouTube
If you are a visual and/or auditory learner, then Youtube is a must - if not either then I would still recommend it! But I have to admit, there is also a lot of trash on there, but once you find a good source, you will learn a lot.
Outside of that, I love YouTube because it is free. Use it to get to know the basics and even a few advanced tips and once you are at a stage where you are ready then move onto the paid options.
Check out Teela Cunningham’s video on repeat patterns, she shares some great tips.
Fantastic resource. Use it to create boards - so when creating your moodboards it makes it so much easier to visually see how and where your design’s inspiration comes from and since it’s online you can access the board any and everywhere.
Also, in the search bar you can an choose to search for people, boards or pins in particular. This helps narrow down your search to find what you want without the extra fluff.
Great People and Boards are:
Surface Pattern Design & Print, Veronica Galbraith and Pattern Designers (board).
Artlandia Glossary of Pattern Design
If you are like me and had no idea of what patterns were outside of being a “repetitive design” then doing a little reading can help massively. So when you begin to further and further immerse yourself into, not only the pattern, but also design world as a whole, you’ll be thankful that you spot and discuss a herringbone through to a houndstooth pattern without running to Google every two sentences.
ColourLOVERS
Similar to Adobe Colour as you can create colour scheme, see trends and more, but this service is free PLUS it also houses a mini community where you can post your patterns and people can like and comment. Though, it is far from as active as it used to me back in 2010 times it is still a great way to get feedback as well as explore pattern design and colour usage all in one location.