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Identifying Geometric Patterns in Graphic Design
The seamless repetition of shapes in geometric patterns can deliver eye-catching and memorable designs. You'll find geometric design patterns on as varied a collection of items as greeting cards, textiles, and website backgrounds. Join us as we explore the world of geometric patterns in graphic design.
What Is a Geometric Pattern?
In graphic design, there are two forms: organic and geometric.
Organic forms represent irregular shapes that occur in the natural world. These are usually asymmetrical and freeform.
Geometric forms, on the other hand, are shapes that are rooted in geometry and are mathematically consistent. Common geometric shapes include circles, squares, rectangles, and triangles.
In graphic design, a pattern is defined as a "repeated decorative design", thus a geometric pattern is one that uses mathematically consistent shapes like circles, squares, rectangles, and triangles repeatedly to create eye-catching, original designs.
Most Common Geometric Shapes Used in Geometric Pattern Design
There are six basic geometric shapes from which all simple and complex geometric patterns in graphic design can be built.
Square
Rectangle
Triangle
Circle
Oval
Pentagon
Principles of Geometric Pattern Design
Geometric design is shaped by a few fundamental principles that provide a pattern with structure, unity, and dynamism.
The Grid: Whether you're creating simple or complex geometric patterns, grids provide a foundational structure that enables you to maintain both precision and consistency when building patterns.
Repetition: Repetition is at the heart of designing simple geometric patterns as well as more complex ones. Designers use a repetition of shape, colour, tone, texture, accents, and direction in order to create a beautiful, complex, unified whole.
Layering: Layering is an essential technique in graphic design because it enables designers to create visually interesting and engaging designs. By layering shapes, colours, and textures, you can create a sense of depth and complexity in your work.
Rhythm: Rhythm is the sister of repetition. It refers to the way positive and negative space are used when repeating visual elements. As the visual rhythm of a geometric pattern is predictable, it unites the disparate elements of the pattern.
Symmetry: Symmetry is fundamental to geometric pattern design because it creates balance and harmony, two qualities on which the success of a pattern relies.
15 Most Popular Geometric Patterns in Graphic Design
Now you know a bit more about what a geometric pattern is and what the shapes that go into creating a geometric pattern are, and you understand the basic principles of geometric design. So let's move on and take a look at the most popular geometric patterns in graphic design, from the simple to the complex.
All the designs we feature here can be found on Envato Elements. For one low monthly fee, this subscription-based marketplace offers tons of graphic templates, fonts, logos, add-ons, and more.
1. Geometric Circle Patterns
The circle is often regarded as a symbol of infinity as it has no beginning or end, and it's also a symbol of unity. One of the basic shapes used to create geometric patterns, circles of different sizes and colours create a wide variety of new and interesting patterns when repeated and layered. Geometric circle patterns can bring a wonderfully playful or modern and sophisticated quality to your projects, depending on the pattern you choose.
2. Triangle Geometric Patterns
Depending on its orientation, a triangle can have two meanings. When pointing up, it represents stability and power, but when pointing down, it can indicate instability. There are six different types of triangle shapes: isosceles, equilateral, scalene, obtuse, acute, and right. This means that as a design element, triangles offer a high level of versatility. Take a look at the triangle geometric patterns below to discover how the simple triangle can be used to create interesting and beautiful patterns.
3. Rhombus Patterns
A rhombus is a 2D shape with four straight and equal sides. Both pairs of opposite sides are parallel to each other. The shape is normally identified as a diamond shape. The rhombus inspires sharing and exchange. The great thing about using a rhombus repeatedly in designing geometric patterns is that the positive space creates a negative space of the same shape. Check out these gorgeous rhombus patterns below.
4. Zig-Zag Patterns
Ahhhh! the wonderful zig-zag pattern. It teaches us to appreciate the unexpected turns life can take. This dynamic shape comes into its own when it is repeated with zig zags of different weights and/or colours.
5. Geometric Square Patterns
The square is another one of those basic shapes that takes on a life of its own when it is repeated and layered with other squares, as is clear from these wonderful geometric square patterns below.
6. Hexagon Patterns
This six-sided wonder, the hexagon, is capable of creating designs of incredible complexity when repeated and thoughtfully layered. Whether you're looking for a design for social media, wallpaper, or greeting cards, these hexagon patterns always deliver.
7. Stripe Patterns
The great thing about creating a stripe pattern is that these simple shapes present infinite design possibilities. You can vary the negative space between the stripes, use stripes of varying weights and colours, and arrange them horizontally, vertically, or diagonally to increase the complexity of the pattern.
8. Chevron Patterns
What is a chevron pattern, and how is it different from the zig-zag pattern? A chevron is an inverted V-shaped pattern that repeats to form a shape similar to the zig zag. The biggest difference between the two is that the individual pieces that make up the chevron are the same length and create a perfectly straight line on both sides.
Want to make your own colourful geometric patterns using chevrons? Check out this terrific tutorial:
9. Honeycomb Patterns
A honeycomb pattern is created with repeated hexagonal shapes. The pattern is so named because it resembles... you guessed it, a honeycomb. Check out the variety in these wonderfully graphic black and white geometric patterns below.
10. Arabic Geometric Patterns
The stunning geometric patterns in Islamic art are built by repeating, combining, and overlapping circles, squares, stars, and multi-sided polygons to create highly intricate and complex patterns.
11. Houndstooth Patterns
Houndstooth is a two-colour pattern—usually black and white—made up of a broken check. This repeated pattern consists of an abstract four-sided shape reminiscent of a tooth, which is how the pattern got its name. If you are looking for cool black and white geometric patterns for an upcoming project, you can't go wrong with the stunning houndstooth.
12. Low Poly Patterns
Low poly—short for low polygon—design is a form of digital design that uses a low number of polygons to create a distinctive, angular, often minimalistic effect.
13. Herringbone Patterns
Zig zag vs. chevron vs. herringbone patterns! What's the difference, and how do you choose? Well, first, they are all in the same family. We've already covered the difference between zig zag and chevron patterns, but at first glance, herringbone patterns seem very similar to the chevron patterns, don't they?
Here's the difference: instead of the ends lining up with one another as they do in chevrons, in herringbone patterns one end overlaps the edge of the other, creating a somewhat different pattern and effect. Herringbone pattern tiles are a common example of this pattern.
14. Isometric Patterns
An isometric view of a cube differs from the perspective view. With isometric cubes, all the lines in the drawing are parallel to each other, while with a perspective cube, some of the lines appear to be converging towards a point on the horizon. When isometric cubes are used repeatedly to create an isometric pattern, they offer a design that is intricate and that often creates optical illusions.
15. Kaleidoscope Patterns
What child isn't completely charmed and hypnotised by the incredible patterns created by kaleidoscopes? These dizzying patterns from our childhood memories have inspired a major creative trend across digital and print formats.
Want to create your own stunning kaleidoscope patterns? Check out this terrific tutorial to get started:
Choose Your Favourite Geometric Design Patterns
Now that you know how to identify geometric design patterns and where to find the best geometric patterns when you need them, head to Envato Elements and download your favourites today.
Here are more top resources and tutorials to try from Envato Tuts+:
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