Shell Inspired Pattern designs

Let me tell you a story of how I attempted to create a pattern collection…

Now pattern collections are basically a set of designs with a common theme, and one main (complex) design, with some supporting (more simple) designs.

I am very good at understanding the theory of creating a design collection but I’ll be honest, I really struggle with the reality! Most of my designs are actually based off something that has popped up in my head, and I then spend my time figuring out how to make that design. So yes, not much planning!

I decided to try out the theory of creating a collection using a ‘blue ocean’ theme. Here is my beautiful mood board to set the tone:

The next stage was creating motifs – so using this moodboard for inspiration I painted and drew many blue and white shell motifs, mostly using watercolours.

shell inspired pattern design - a seamless repeat pattern by Australian surface pattern designer Anna Markula
some of the motifs created

Now the big step is to create the designs – I ended up using the motifs in a few quite different designs, so yes this is where I strayed from sticking to a theme! Here are the designs:

shell inspired pattern design - a seamless repeat pattern by Australian surface pattern designer Anna Markula
Aloha – I love the motifs in this design
shell inspired pattern design - a seamless repeat pattern by Australian surface pattern designer Anna Markula
I called this one Santorini as it reminds me of Greece
shell inspired pattern design - a seamless repeat pattern by Australian surface pattern designer Anna Markula
this one is called Trippy – I think it would look fab as activewear
shell inspired pattern design - a seamless repeat pattern by Australian surface pattern designer Anna Markula
this pattern is called 90s kid

I’m pretty happy with the designs but I don’t think they really form a traditional pattern collection. The moodboard I created though is still giving me tons of inspiration and I will be exploring more blue and white ocean patterns soon!

If you are an art director or a small business looking for some unique and fun artwork, I’d love to show you my full pattern portfolio – just drop me an email 🙂

I'd love to know what you think!

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