Color, texture, and pattern

Colour in Surface Design and Textiles

Colour is a critical element in textile and surface design, profoundly affecting aesthetic and emotional appeal.
Primary colours (red, yellow, blue) can be mixed to produce all other colours. Secondary colours (green, orange, purple) are created by mixing two primary colours.
Tertiary colours are derived from mixing a primary and secondary colour.
The colour wheel is a fundamental tool for understanding colour relationships, including complementary, analogous, and triadic schemes.
A specific colour scheme can set the mood, create an impact or express certain ideas in a design.
Colour harmony is achieved when colours create a pleasing effect when used together.
Using contrasting colours can help elements in a design stand out.

Texture works hand in hand with colour in creating a visually engaging fabric or surface design.
It refers to the surface quality or “feel” of an object, its smoothness, roughness, softness, etc.
Tactile texture can be physically felt, like the roughness of a wool blanket or the smoothness of silk.
Visual texture is the perceived surface quality but cannot be felt, often added using techniques such as painting, printing or embellishments.
Texture in design can influence colour perception and the overall ambience of a design.
Textile manipulation techniques like embroidery, beading, or appliqué can add surface texture.

Patterns are the repetitive arrangement of elements like line, shape, colour, and texture.
They often serve as the backbone of textile and surface design, providing structure and visual interest.
Pattern layouts can be block, brick, drop, stripe, diagonal, or random.
Patterns can be created using a variety of techniques such as drawing, painting, printing, or digital design.
Rotation, reflection, translation, and scaling are some ways to arrange elements in a pattern.
Understanding the target audience and purpose of the end product is crucial in pattern design.