Books I love: Patterns by Drusilla Cole

Patterns: New Surface Design by Drusilla Cole, is one of my favorite pattern art books that I have found since I started designing patterns in 2008.

It is a great 'look book' if you are a designer and want to explore all the joys patterns have to offer.

Drusilla Cole invited contemporary designers to contribute their patterns for the publication. The results are fantastic, and what you take home from this book is just how modern, emotive and versatile pattern art can be.

Many of the artists play with the rules of repeat, but also incorporate random elements in their designs. The patterns also explore a huge realm of subject matter including: conversational paterns, abstract patterns, retro patterns, geometric patterns and organic patterns.

Although this is a picture book, rather than a book explaining how to make patterns, it still leaves you with a lot of inspiration for new ideas and new ways of exploring patterns.

To have a look inside the book see it on amazon.

Screen printed by Amanda-Rae

I am a textile designer based in Canberra and have started this blog to impart my design frustrations, lessons learnt and knowledge to you.

I want to share some screen printing techniques and tips of the trade learnt in launching my hand made textile brand amanda-rae.

I have been screen printing on fabric for two years, and originally learnt how to print by undertaking some fantastic courses at megalo--an open access printing studio in Canberra.

Since then, I have been teaching myself how to:

• draw or photograph my own designs
• use photoshop and illustrator to get the designs ready for transferring onto a silk screen
• emulsing and exposing screens to include my design
• using registration for multi coloured designs
• printing repeat patterns, and
• turning the fabrics into bags and purses to sell at markets.