Kristin Becker's DTC Classes at WSU

I took this picture in the street while I was walking to my apartment.

This picture I took while I was walking to my apartment. I found this as an interesting example of a pattern design. This pattern follows some of the examples that I have read in the book “Graphic Design: The New Basics.” The example was about dots and grids and I think this is a very close example to the book’s example. Also, I noticed that this picture has two patterns. One is the big dots and the other one is the small dots pattern. I will consider this pattern to be repeating elements pattern because all elements are dots which having the same shape. Moreover, this is also a good example of a texture because it has a feeling when someone is touching it.

I took this picture from a building near to my WSU campus.

I took this picture from one of the buildings near to the campus of WSU. This example is a good example of pattern and texture. It has a pattern of bricks and each brick seems to have its own texture. The texture of each brick is rough and we can tell it is rough by looking at it even if we did not touch it. Also, I think it is a repeating elements pattern because the bricks having the same shape which is a rectangle shape.

I took this picture of a tree branch in my WSU campus .

This last example is a tree branch that I took in the campus of WSU. In my opinion, this is a perfect example of a texture because it looks rough and organic and by looking at it, you will directly know how rough it is.

I asked myself few questions when I was looking for examples of texture.  I wanted to find a design used in real life that was tangible, but that was not always noticed.  We are surrounded by designs that we’re not fully aware of when we pass by them.  You don’t notice the texture of a design unless you take time in actively looking at the material.  These were the designs that fit into these categories.  The textures of these designs are complex and intricate, but mostly go unnoticed.

The carpet of my room.

I guess the first pattern I noticed and wanted to input was the pattern of my carpet.  Carpets have some of the most interesting patterns and their texture is intentional.  Carpets need to serve the purpose of providing more tension versus a floor.  The yarns on this carpet is weaved more tightly, providing less attraction compared to other types of carpets.  I was trying to research on the pattern itself as well.  I learned that carpets are designed to have this disorganized and not orientated to one side because that makes it harder for dirt to be apparent.  I think carpets have the ideal texture in a room because they hide away scratches and dirt through their craves, and aides in trapping heat.

Bathroom tiles

Bathroom tiles have simpler designs.  Their main focus is simplicity and cleanliness.  Tiled floors are effective in pushing water so they do not get easily slippery when cleaning the bathroom.  The surface is smooth, allowing better flow of dirt.

I explored the Washington State University campus to find my inspiration of various textures and patterns. Looking at my surroundings I kept thinking about the endless cycle that makes a pattern. The book mentions that almost any pattern is made from dots, stripes, or grids. Dots join making linear elements/ other shapes resulting in stripes colliding into each other. This collision makes a grid and new figures are formed due to cuts in the grid. These new forms are the beginning of another cycle that grows into another grid. I learned that the grid is made of smaller components that establishes a larger texture. The book says that “creating a larger texture is what a grid is all about”.

Bushes outside the Murrow building (a)

In my first photo (a) the image shows irregular forces creating the pattern. When thinking about the texture of the photo the contrast on the leaves edges creates an optical appearance, the virtual texture of the piece. The contrast creates a sharpness, but the literal surface of the leaves tells that the texture is actually soft. The optical and physical textures can be different (think about people that have short hair that spikes up). Halle Berry‘s physical texture in her hair is different than her virtual texture.

Bushes outside the Academic Media Services building (b)

My second image (b) has irregular forces from nature that make their pattern as well. The physical and virtual texture are rather similar in this piece though. My hypothesis is that since there is less of a contrast between the two main colors on the leaves, then the image gives a smoother presence. The way the leaves are cut is rounder, giving a softer display.

The carpet of my apartment.

The reading mentions how texture, a property through either perceived or physical depth, often plays as backstage to pattern. Therefore, texture is not the key focus of a design but a way to enhance pattern or further the impression the pattern gives. I noticed this in the design of my apartment’s carpet. Up close, the floor is clearly composed of tightly wound, raised knots of fabric, but from a distance, it is clear to see that the linear variance of color among these knots forms a pattern that overwhelms the texture with it’s loudness. The texture is still perceived by physical touch, but it acts more as a supporting role visually to the aesthetics of the carpet’s pattern. However, if the carpet lacked any texture, it would not only feel much different, but it would look different as well, possibly becoming a noisy collection of random flat lines that is now muffled by the knotting. Removing the texture would also transform the environment into one that lacks the warmth that a knotted, almost “knit-like” texture implies, and potentially create a flat, cold, less inviting space. These impressions that certain textures give are an interesting thing to consider, especially when it becomes my turn to create a pattern.

My cheap pleather jacket.

Texture is beneficial to an overall look not only by enhancing pattern, but also by utilizing contrast when color remains the same. This image of my leather jacket shows the texture difference between the cotton-based hood fabric, and the faux-leather fabric of the main jacket. The two materials are both black, but the difference in finish–a matte and soft fabric against a textured and slightly shiny material– creates a juxtaposition that separates the jacket into what appears to be two pieces that compliment each other but are unified at the same time. This effect would not be the same if the two textures were the same. If the whole jacket was the leather texture, it may be a bit overwhelming or give the impression of the hood not being very comfortable/flexible to wear. If the jacket were all the same material as the hood, then it wouldn’t even be a leather jacket to begin with. It is only the marrying of these two opposing textures that creates an intriguing aesthetic that is varied and has depth. The power of just varying texture to create noticeable difference is another interesting thing to remember for project 1.

Texture and pattern is super fascinating to me when discussed as translating to a digital space. No, 3d design isn’t on trend today, but using design to communicate depth has always been intriguing to me. The pictures I have chose are things from my house that I find beautiful.

With my friends, I am often referred to as the “crazy plant lady”.  I don’t always have a million plants around the house, but recently I have earned the name with the 30 succulent planters I am growing for the centerpieces I will use for my wedding in January.

This is a photo of a cactus I am growing in my house.

This particular succulent is the smallest I have, but also my favorite. The spikes are pokey, but provide an interesting texture. laid out flat, I think the would be complex, and provide its own cool pattern.

This picture is one i took of a dress in my closet.

This next picture is of a dress I own. The pattern itself isn’t that interested, but the texture of the linen fabric, and the stay navy colors that bleed into the white squares is. If you look at the pattern from far away, you miss out on the intricate textile features. Close up, the pattern provides good inspiration for my own pattern design.

This is a photo of a blanket in my house.

My favorite blanket is this mustard yellow knit one. The pattern shows interesting depth, and shadows. if you look inside each stitch, you can imagine the 3d pattern it would create if rendered digital.

This is a photo I took of my DIY yarn wall hanging.

This last picture is one of a DIY wall hanging project I made. The yarn is supper interesting because of everything that makes up a single piece of it. If you look at the white stands closely, you’ll notice that they are made up of both white, grey, and brown pieces of cotton.

Photo by Sophie Stoltman

Photo by Sophie Stoltman

Photo by Sophie Stoltman

I chose to find examples of texture and pattern around my home here in Pullman. I think that my examples show the complexity of simple things around us and the contrast between organic and man-made texture.

In my image of the blinds I like how the texture is created out of the repetition and simple curve the blinds have. The smooth and shiny texture the plastic has stands out against the blurry background outside of the window. The uniformity of the color within the window also adds to the structured look the blinds create. With each layer of the blinds the separate parts edges slice through the neighboring piece making a pattern of horizontal lines getting closer together as the blinds cascade down to the windowpane.

The next photo I took was of the frayed edge of my roommate’s shorts. I loved how the tightly woven denim contrasted with the frayed and almost organic looking raw edge. The more weathered and washed out edge of the jeans makes the small details and intricate patterns of the denim stand out even more clearly. I think that it is cool how the raw edge that was originally just as tightly knit weathered down over time and started to look more like a natural texture, like hair or grass.

My final photo is of a plant that I keep in my room. I chose to share this image because of the relaxing and beautiful texture that naturally is found in the plants leaves. The leaves look soft and smooth even in a digital format. The edges of the leaves become sharper and more excited looking towards the center, giving off an energy that is happy and exciting. As you look further out to the edge of the plant the leaves are more relaxed and have a calming purple hue to them. The difference between the inner and outer leaves make the overall texture of the plant more interesting, creating movement inwards towards the center of the plant.