Single Tile
Tile Pattern
Final Spread Layout
The challenge for this project was to research a design style from another culture, and then make a design inspired by that style, create a pattern from that design, and then write about our research and place everything on a spread.
I started by researching a few different cultures and the designs prevalent in them. I then decided on the design style I was most excited about. I then experimented with the design elements I learned about in my research in sketches and thumbnails. I then refined my design and started experimenting with colours I had learned were important through my research. Once the design was finished, I learned to use the Pattern Tool in Adobe Illustrator to create a pattern for mockups. Lastly, I wrote a brief summary of my research and placed it, along with photos from each step, on a printed spread.
I decided to be inspired by Portuguese tile designs after a bit of research. I was particularly drawn to this design style because I had been to Portugal and learned about its importance while experiencing it firsthand. I spent a lot of time piecing together elements commonly seen in Portuguese tile designs and got feedback from my professor and peers on which designs worked best. To make the pattern, my professor ran a workshop for us to learn how to use the pattern tool in Adobe Illustrator. I worked with a few mockups, but chose the ones I did because of the square nature of the design and the pattern. The written aspect came last, and I started with quite a long draft and worked to narrow it down to the most important aspects of my research that influenced the design direction.
