3 Basic Pattern Types I Loved When I First Started (and Why)
When I first entered the world of surface pattern design, I was completely overwhelmed. There were so many kinds of repeats—block, half-drop, brick, ogee… I didn’t even know where to begin.
So I told myself: just start with three. And those three became my best teachers: Block (Straight) Repeat, Half-Drop Repeat, and Tossed/Scattered.
1. Full Drop / Block Repeat
This was the first type I tried (probably by accident!). The block repeat is created by duplicating your motif in straight rows and columns—think of it like tiles on a kitchen wall. The elements align both vertically and horizontally. It’s easy to set up, especially in Procreate or Illustrator, and it creates a clean, structured look.
Why I loved it:
Super beginner-friendly
Felt satisfying and organized
Easy to test new motifs without worrying about alignment
2. Half Drop Repeat
Once I got more confident, I started playing with this layout. A half drop repeat staggers each new row by half the height of the block above it. This tiny shift creates more rhythm and flow in the design. It feels more dynamic and organic than a simple block repeat.
Why I loved it:
Gave my patterns a more professional and intentional look
Made even simple motifs feel more complex
Helped break the stiffness of block repeats
3. Tossed / Random Repeat
This style is all about looseness and play. The motifs are scattered across the canvas in no strict order, with varied angles and spacing. It gives a casual, spontaneous feel to the pattern. At first, I thought this would be easier than it was—because randomness is actually hard to balance!
Why I loved it:
Felt the most fun and expressive
Encouraged me to trust my eye and instinct
Great for playful or nature-inspired designs
Looking Back
As a beginner, I found it really helpful to stick with these three repeat types. They gave me enough structure to learn from, but enough freedom to experiment and enjoy the process. Over time, I began to mix and modify them in my own way—but that’s a story for another post.
If you're just starting your surface pattern design journey, try these out. Don’t worry about getting it "right" — just have fun, repeat after repeat.
