1. Visual Imagination
Instructors: Sandy Hancock & Olivia Hancock
Fall 2013
Assignment #3
PATTERN
Decorative design, as we have seen, can be found in arts and crafts of all sorts; from
ceramics to needlepoint, from architecture to national costume, or from mosaic tile to
woodcarving. Your second assignment is to research decorative design motifs from a
period and culture of your choice. From your research, choose a motif that appeals to you
or, at least one, which you feel, you can work with.
The goal of this assignment is to “refine” or alter, an existing motif, and be able to use it
in a pattern.
Here are some specific criteria for the project or “objectives that need to be met.”
1. Render the project on a 9” x 10” kyd finish Bristol board.
2. The border or margin outline should form a square, and be drawn in fine tip
Sharpie, following instructions on the Assignment Format sheet.
3. Draw a 3 x 3 grid (9 squares) within the outlined square.
4. The grid should be drawn lightly in pencil only. (You need not erase the
pencil.)
5. Use the lettering and spacing requirements as indicated on the Assignment
Format sheet
• The title of the project will be on the bottom left, and your name
should be on the right along the same line.
• The title of this project is the name of the culture, followed by a
century or period or era. It is often difficult to determine the age of a
decorative motif. Don’t get hung up on it too long.
Examples:
Thailand, 1800’s or
Etruscan, 400 BCE or
Ewe, Ghana, Contemp. or
Norway, Middle Ages
• The lettering should be written in extra fine Sharpie.
6. Study the decorative motif you have selected, and while keeping the basic
integrity of the original, make some small change(s) to personalize it (refining
it) to make it your own.
7. On a piece of scrap paper, draw a 2”x 2” square in pencil, and then draw the
new motif to fit inside the square.
8. Trace the new motif with the 2”x 2” square on a piece of tracing paper. This
will be your study model. Cut the traced copy out with scissors, and in
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2. conjunction with the paper drawing develop a repeating pattern, using the
following strict guidelines.
• The motif must repeat itself across all nine (9) fields in one of two
ways:
a. In continuous, clockwise or counterclockwise 90 degree
rotation
b. as a continuous mirror image.
• The motif must touch each adjoining motif in every square.
• The motif design should have solid graphic characteristics (solid not
wimpy or wispy lines) and drawn in a black sharpie(s) of your choice.
• Attach a photocopy of the original motif from your research to the
back of your project with regular (not “Magic”) clear tape
9. Your motif does not need to be complex or difficult to be effective. Use the
skill level you are comfortable with. Your talent is welcome and appreciated,
but it is not graded. Remember what counts:
a. meeting the criteria
b. accuracy
c. neatness – do not use whiteout.
10. Asking for opinions and advice to solve a problem is very acceptable, in fact it
is encouraged. Having someone do your project is fraud just like plagiarism.
See assignment due date on your Syllabus.
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