Design creation strategies

1. Design Creation Using Rotation &
Reversal Strategies

2. What is a pattern?
• In terms of art pattern is a
systematic arrangements of motifs.
• A pattern relies upon three
characteristics:
–A single motif
–Repetition of the motif
–A system of organisation

3. Four main pattern techniques
• There are four basic ways that you can
repeat a motif to create a pattern
–Repeats, half drop repeats, reflection
or reversal and rotation
• Mathematicians call these repetitions
“rigid motions” because the
movements do not lead to any change
of size or shape of the original motif.

4. Repeats
• This is rigid
motion where the
motif is simply
repeated over
and over along
horizontal and
vertical lines.

5. Half drop repeats
• This is a rigid
motion where
every other line
of motifs is
staggered.

6. Reversal
• Reversal or
Reflection is a
rigid motion
where the original
motif is reflected
across a line or
axis.
• This creates a
symmetrical
pattern.

7. Rotation
• Rotation is a
rigid motion
where the
original design is
rotated around a
single point.

8. 120 degree rotation
Rotation through different angles
180 degree rotation
60 degree rotation
90 degree rotation

9. Reversal and Rotations

10. Other combinations

11. How many patterns can you make
starting with a simple motif?

12. Rotational Design

14. ISLAMIC ART

15. Nicola Gardiner© 2005