What Is Surface Pattern Design?
Surface pattern design is the art of creating patterns used to decorate all kinds of surfaces. In fact, you can find surface patterns everywhere around you. They are literally everywhere, and you probably haven’t even noticed them.
Patterns appear on many everyday products such as home furnishings, cushions, curtains, bedding, and rugs, as well as stationery, gifts, packaging, wallpaper, fabrics, and all kinds of clothing.
You may not realise it, but surface pattern design surrounds us in everyday life. From the fabric on your clothes to wallpaper, stationery, packaging, and home décor, patterns are a constant part of the world around us.
What Does a Surface Pattern Designer Do?
Painting a watercolour motif that will become part of an original surface pattern design.
Surface pattern designers create artwork that can be applied to a wide range of products, bringing colour, personality, and style to the things we use every day.
As a surface pattern designer, you create illustrations and patterns that can be printed onto products or fabric. Designers use many different techniques to create their artwork, including hand painting, drawing, digital illustration, printmaking, and even photography.
Most surface pattern designs begin with individual illustrations called motifs. These might include flowers, animals, geometric shapes, or abstract elements.
Creating a Repeating Pattern
An example of a repeating pattern called “Summer Skies”.
Once the motifs are created, they are arranged into a repeating layout. This means the design is carefully constructed so that it connects seamlessly when repeated across a surface.
This repeating structure allows the pattern to continue infinitely across materials such as fabric, wallpaper, or wrapping paper without any visible breaks.
Today, many designers work digitally, using design software to experiment with layout, scale, and colour combinations before the pattern is printed.
The Creativity Behind Pattern Design
An example of one of my surface pattern design collections.
Surface pattern design is a highly creative field. Designers need a strong understanding of colour, composition, and pattern balance, as well as an awareness of current trends in fashion, interiors, and product design.
Many designers create collections of patterns that work together through shared colours or themes. These collections can then be licensed or produced on a variety of products.
Surface pattern designers often collaborate with brands or manufacturers, allowing their artwork to appear on products sold around the world.
Bringing Art Into Everyday Life
One of the most exciting things about surface pattern design is that it allows art to become part of everyday life. A pattern can add personality to a room, make clothing feel more joyful, or turn an ordinary household item into something special.
For many designers, the goal is simple…. to create patterns that make people smile and bring a little more colour and creativity into the world.
About the Artist
Susie Hunter is an Australian surface pattern designer who creates bright, colourful patterns inspired by travel, nature, and everyday life. Her designs can be used on textiles, homewares, and lifestyle products.