Pattern Design

Approaching the study of design from a structural point of view, this classic handbook tells the designer how to construct hundreds of patterns from all periods and styles. Dr. Christie analyzes the elemental composition of patterns, and shows how coherent organization is achieved in each of the patterns he describes and illustrates. He then establishes basic principles, derived from the unity of all great ornament, which, if followed, will assure the success of any design.
In the opening chapters the author describes various basic methods of organizing ornament, and explains the formal classification of ornament into distinct categories. He covers the six major categories of design separately, showing how numerous variations are made: traditional plant and animal devices; realistic plants and animals; straight striped patterns; waved and chevron striped patterns; cross-band patterns; and interlaced and counterchanged cross-band patterns. In another chapter he shows how some isolated devices of formal design — granular texturings, disk and ring devices, arabesques, and more — are constructed. He shows how design is created by rhythmic expansion — how an element like a spiral or a swastika, for example, can be expanded in horizontal, vertical, and diagonal progressions to create the rhythmic scheme that constitutes a formal design.
The book contains more than 400 illustrations, including the author's drawing of designs as well as photographs of actual patterns in textiles, ceramics, jewelry, and more — a wealth of valuable pictorial material that is not readily available. As a unified discussion of the nature of patterns, this book will be of great interest to anyone concerned with handicrafts or the fine arts.