Pattern and design surround us but can sometimes seem invisible. Like the air we breathe, running water and electricity, we often take these elements for granted and fail to notice the remarkable patterns and designs that make up our environment.
Trying to pin down the exact meaning of Pattern or Design is not easy as the two terms are intertwined. As authors David Lauer and Stephen Pentak state in their book, Design Basics:
“Pattern is a term ubiquitous to design. …referring to repetition of a design motif.” (Page 178) and:
“Pattern begins with a unit or shape that is repeated. It is common to find pattern based on floral designs evoking the richness of a garden.” Page 180).
So Pattern can be a significant component of design yet patterns incorporate design elements.
In the natural world, we can observe the patterns that leaves form on a plant, the patterns traced by the veins on an individual leaf, the pattern that water droplets form, the intricate patterns formed by crystals in a a snowflake, the vanes on a feather, or the stripes on an insect to cite a few examples
In the built environment, design is everywhere. Everything constructed by humans is the result of a design, intentional or not, formalized or not, informed or not. Architecture is a prime example of design. From Rattenbury’s Chateauesque design of the Empress Hotel to the many Arts & Crafts style homes in James Bay to the Brutalist designs of the Maclaurin and Petch buildings on the UVIC campus, the CRD has no shortage of architectural genres and examples to examine. Much architecture relies on pattern for its unique appearance.
Industrial design is found everywhere, from our utensil drawers to home decor to the watch or fitness device on your wrist. And of course, the world is full of devotees of wearable fashion design. And the product of the hair salons is hair design, isn’t it? Is the result of ice cream spilled unintentionally on a a sidewalk design? Or, maybe it’s a pattern. We will leave discussion of divine design but if you have ideas for an image that celebrates this idea, your images will be welcome.
No special equipment whatsoever is required for this theme although some small patterns may be more easily captured with a macro or close up lens. Lighting, especially from the side, will help to accentuate patterns in both the natural world and the built environment. Reflections can amplify patterns, in water or windows or?
Following are some links that may be useful or inspirational:
The School of Photography, Pattern in Photography: https://tinyurl.com/47nftdx4
Adorama, The art of Seeing Patterns: https://www.adorama.com/alc/pattern-photography/
photzy.com, Patterns in Photography: https://photzy.com/patterns-in-photography/