Fundamentals of Pattern Design
A course by Michelle ParascandoloSurface Designer
A course by Michelle Parascandolo, Surface Designer
Create a stunning collection of patterns you can apply to any surface using Illustrator and Adobe Fresco.
Patterns serve a dual purpose, they are both aesthetic and practical. First and foremost, they should be eye-catching and playful, but they also get turned into something else —a dress, a cushion, wallpaper, or pretty much anything you can think of. Michelle Parascandolo is a freelance pattern designer based in New York City. She has created a library of prints for her clients to choose from and apply to their products. She’s worked with Lucy and Yak, Target, Flow Magazine, and many more. Inspired by nature, bright colors, and a variety of artistic movements throughout history, her style is whimsical and creative.
In this online course, Michelle teaches you how to develop your own collection of patterns that can be applied to any product. She walks you through the early stages of inspiration, to sketching out ideas using a mood board, all the way through to making a production-ready artwork. She explains the importance of color palette, as well as how to come up with a range of patterns, from simple, to complex.
What will you learn in this online course?
17 lessons & 21 downloads
Choosing Inspiration
17 minutes, 30 seconds
Sketching Motifs
14 minutes, 16 seconds
Applying Color
20 minutes, 57 seconds
Finalizing the Hero
3 minutes, 18 seconds
Finalizing Colors
10 minutes, 1 second
Coordinating Prints: Secondary Prints 1
11 minutes, 28 seconds
What's included in this course?
Start by getting to know your teacher, Michelle Parascandolo. She takes you through her journey and how she found herself in the world of patterns.
Then, get inspired by stunning examples of collections. They will help you find your own unique style and get sketching out your designs.
Next, decide on your hero print by selecting your main motifs. Apply color and finalize the drawing, paying close attention to the chromatic composition.
Afterward, develop the rest of the collection by processing secondary and blender prints and test how all of the designs work together.
Finally, make some mock-ups and a presentation to show off your pieces.
By the end of the course, you'll be able to design motifs that can be recycled over and over again!
What is this course's project?
Create a collection of prints that can be used on anything.
Projects by course students
Who is this online course for?
Anyone who wants to design patterns or enhance their digital illustration skills.
Requirements and materials
Basic knowledge of Adobe Fresco and Illustrator
Reviews
- 4 months ago
I specifically purchased this course to learn more about creating coordinates and blender prints. This course did a fantastic job of that.
The course's approach of getting inspiration from other artists' work may introduce the risk of unintentional copying if someone is not as mindful as the instructor was.
I found the online class "How To Find Your Own Style As An Artist" by LaurieAnne Gonzalez to be the best for making personally inspired art that avoids copying.
- 5 months ago
best courser
- 6 months ago
Me encantó el curso.
- 6 months ago
I found this course very interesting! So far I had been making only tossed patterns and had no idea how to create a seamless one. When Michelle explained it, I was mindblown, and not sure if I could do it. But I gave it a try and it worked, and I'll be able to create more in the future, thanks to this course.
- 6 months ago
🌸A wonderful course🌸 A very inspiring course with clear guidance and a thoughtful approach. It encouraged me to slow down, observe details, and develop my own artistic voice. 🌸
Content
- U1
Introduction
- About Me
- Influences
- U2
Inspiration
- Introduction to Pattern Design and Collections
- Choosing Inspiration
- Sketching Motifs
- U3
Designing the Hero Print
- Creating the Hero Print 1
- Creating the Hero Print 2
- Applying Color
- Finalizing the Hero
- Finalizing Colors
- U4
The Rest of the Collection
- Coordinating Prints: Secondary Prints 1
- Coordinating Prints: Secondary Prints 2
- Coordinating Prints: Blender Prints
- Collection Checkpoint
- U5
Applications and Additional Tips
- Mock-ups
- Final Tips
- Collections
- FP
Final project
- Fundamentals of Pattern Design
What to expect from a Domestika course
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FAQs
Yes, this course is designed for intermediate designers who already have some experience with digital illustration or pattern creation and want to advance their skills in building cohesive pattern collections and freelancing.
You'll need access to Adobe Illustrator and Procreate or Fresco for digital sketching and vector work, along with a computer or tablet and a drawing stylus for best results.
You’ll learn how to design hero and coordinating prints, create seamless repeats, build pattern collections, select color palettes, and prepare your artwork for licensing, freelancing, or selling on platforms like Etsy.
Yes, the course includes strategies for licensing your artwork, selling on Etsy, building a freelance portfolio, and using print-on-demand platforms for additional revenue.
Basic drawing skills are helpful, but the course guides you through motif sketching, using digital brushes, and adapting references, making it accessible even if you're not an advanced illustrator.
A hero print is the main, most detailed design in a collection. The course teaches you how to design and structure hero prints, along with coordinating and blender patterns for professional collections.
Yes, the methods taught are ideal for creating patterns for home decor, textiles, wallpaper, and various products, making your designs versatile for multiple industries.