Windows Pattern Design
Design Inspiration
Inspired by rows of apartment windows, where some of them had a blind or balcony or perhaps a window opening inwards. I liked the random pattern they created.
Pattern Development
My first designs were horizontal, but seemed a bit flat. For later designs I changed the design to isometric where the angles are at 30°.
Pattern Repeat
I found it was easy to create a small panel, but anything with a pattern repeat was practically impossible due to the 30° angles. By altering the height of the windows I could cheat so that the pattern repeat avoided the joins.
Colouring the Design
There are now four elements – Blinds / Blinds Shadows / Doors / Windows. So the first idea was to recolour the doors and the shadows. Some colour combinations worked but the design was perhaps too clunky.
Final Colouring
I found I could use the same colour for everything. Altering the opacity and blending mode for each of the four elements meant the design was simpler and more cohesive.
Naming The Pattern
My first sketches were called Balconies. Then as the design progressed the name Rear Window seemed appropriate. Especially as the concept of the Hitchcock film was similar. The downside is I didn’t want a pattern name that began with “rear” so I decided on simply Windows.
Buying My Designs
Products featuring my pattern designs are available to buy from my shops hosted by Spoonflower and Contrado. As well as fabrics by the metre, they can produce my designs in a range of home decor items including; tablecloths, bedding, cushions, wallpaper, cushions and wrapping paper / gift wrap.
