A world surrounded by patterns

Our world is full of patterns. Whether they’re found in animals and nature, man-made, digitally recreated, or purely accidental, patterns are everywhere. Even in the most minimal and sterile spaces, if you closely observe the materials, you’ll notice that patterns are all around us.

Take, for example, the globally loved Scandinavian textile brand Marimekko. One of their most famous designs, Unikko, was created in 1964 and celebrates its 60th anniversary in 2024. This iconic pattern, inspired by poppies, was designed by Maija Isola (1927–2001), who created many textile designs during her travels around the world.

Back then, Marimekko had a policy against floral prints, believing that printed flowers couldn’t rival the beauty of real ones. However, Isola went against this belief, and no one could have predicted how beloved Unikko would become globally. Initially, the pattern wasn’t that popular, and people wondered what you could even use the fabric for. But over time, the design expanded beyond just fabric to include dresses and other products. By featuring Unikko in fashion shows, it became easier to imagine its practical uses, leading to its widespread adoption. Now, Unikko is everywhere from dresses to mugs, umbrellas, bags, socks, and even aprons.

On the other hand, polka dots, a pattern not tied to any specific brand, are universally recognized and can be seen on everything from beverage packaging to wallpaper. It’s said that the name “polka dot” is derived from the Czech folk dance Polka, though the details are unclear. This pattern has been around for ages, with ancient stone carvings depicting people wearing polka-dotted garments, showing how enduring this design has been throughout history.

Patterns inspired by nature

Speaking of polka dots, there’s a Japanese rock band called “Polkadot Stingray,” but I want to focus on the actual sea creature. The polka dot stingray is a marine species that blends into its surroundings with elegant polka dots as it gracefully swims in freshwater. Thinking about it this way, it makes sense that many long-loved patterns, like polka dots, come from familiar designs found in nature.

In Japan, the karakusa pattern is often associated with thieves. During Japan’s economic boom, the mass-produced furoshiki (wrapping cloth) with this pattern became commonly used to wrap stolen goods, leading to its association with burglary in popular culture. As a result, many people in Japan automatically think of thieves when they see karakusa pattern.

Interestingly, despite its intricate design resembling repeated plant motifs, “karakusa” doesn’t actually represent any real plant. It’s fascinating how such an imaginary plant motif has become so widely recognized.

Textile and digital patterns

Now, let’s shift focus to patterns in the digital world.

At first glance, textiles and digital designs may seem unrelated. But today, it’s becoming more common to produce small quantities of custom fabrics or mass-produce patterns designed on computers. Advanced printers can now print complex designs on fabric, even those that would be difficult to weave, and these designs retain their color and texture. This market is rapidly growing, and the same pattern can appear very differently depending on the fabric’s texture and material.

Interestingly, people often perceive a sense of texture even in digital images. This is likely because the shine, shadows, and raised or recessed areas of an image trigger memories of physically touching similar materials. It highlights that our sense of touch is not the only factor in perceiving texture, our vision plays a significant role, too. This means that textile patterns and textures can be effectively used in digital design.

For example, textile patterns are sometimes used for wallpapers or app backgrounds on digital devices. Doing so makes the interface feel more approachable and softens the sometimes cold, orderly nature of digital expression.

Additionally, wearable devices and smartphone cases often incorporate textile designs, blending fashion with functionality in digital products.

Learning from real-world patterns in digital design

So, what are the benefits of incorporating textile-like patterns into digital design? By using familiar textiles, designers can explore new textures, colors, and shapes that weren’t previously possible in digital design, greatly expanding creative possibilities. For designers, this represents a promising challenge, while for users, the designs are familiar and easy to embrace.

• Global design trends incorporating local textile traditions
• Rhythmic expression through repeating patterns
• The comfort of timeless color and shape combinations
• Merging trends with tradition
• Exploring new possibilities beyond pixel-based digital expression
• Evoking memories and tactile sensations through texture

When thinking about the longevity of digital design, what makes a design loved for years to come, beyond short-lived trends? If a design is too tied to current trends, it risks becoming outdated quickly. Fashion styles often come and go, only to return years later.

Textile patterns often have a timeless quality that goes beyond trends. Their cultural backgrounds, histories, and meanings play a big role in their endurance. Designs like Unikko or the karakusa pattern continue to be embraced by new generations, proving that classic motifs can stand the test of time. In digital design, by incorporating these classic patterns, we may be able to create designs that aren’t just fleeting trends but are loved across generations. Moreover, incorporating regional textile patterns into digital designs can serve as a powerful way to communicate a region’s culture and history to people around the world.

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In “A Design In The Life” series, we will provide hints on improving the resolution of the design experience from the perspectives of both designs in daily life and design in digital space. If you have a topic you would like us to cover, please let us know.