A couple of months ago, I took a Skillshare workshop taught by surface designer, Elizabeth Olwen, on creating a pattern collection, called Pattern Design II: A Creative Look at a Full Pattern Collection. It was quite a challenge for me, as patterns are not my forte, but it was really fun to do something different, and Elizabeth is an excellent instructor! I highly recommend this class! When you do a workshop on Skillshare (as opposed to just taking the class), it costs a bit extra, but it was totally worth it to me, because it made me actually do the assignment. The workshops have a time frame and a limited number of students, and we all get one-on-one advice from the instructor. I really love this format. The added incentive makes me make time to do this extra work I would otherwise not do. I have a ton of freelance book work I'm doing during the same period!
The course assignment was to come up with a pattern collection of our choice and to create a hero pattern, two complementary patterns, and some blender patterns.
For my theme, I chose Vintage Carousel, because I find them so magical and charming. I remember reading a picture book when I was little about two sisters who go to the carousel in Central Park. The horses come to life and they go on an adventure. Sadly, I don't have the book anymore, and I don't know what it was called or who illustrated it. My mom probably threw it out at some point... Does it ring a bell for anyone? I'd love to find it again. I've never seen it again, but the illustrations are so clear in my mind!
Here is my mood board:
Here are some of my sketches. I decided to include other animals.
I scanned the sketches into the computer and then redrew them in Illustrator.
I decided to not have the structure of the actual carousel in my pattern so I could have a more organic feel. I also included a lot of flowers, thinking of the way the carousels are painted, but I wanted a more folk art feel to them rather than a French Baroque style.
My hero pattern:
My complementary patterns:
My blender patterns:
I also created some spot art, which Elizabeth recommends, as a little extra fun thing to include, that could be used on products along with the patterns.
Here are some mock ups I did of how the patterns and art could be used on different products.
And here is the complete collection!
Thanks, Elizabeth, a bunch for teaching the course! I never thought I could produce so much in such a short period of time!