My project for course: Creative Patterns for Graphic Design

My project for course: Creative Patterns for Graphic Design

I choose the city of Dundee in Scotland. It’s where I was born and went to art school. Dundee is known for its production of Jute.

‘For nearly two hundred years Dundee's prosperity was dependent on the textile industry and was the largest jute manufacturer in the world until the trade shifted to India in the late 1800s.’

Although the last Jute mill closed in the 1970s, there are still Jute mill buildings everywhere, the most famous is Cox's Stack, a chimney from the former Camperdown Works jute mill. I researched a lot of the old Jute mills and found a wealth of inspiration including the wheels and parts used in the machines, rope, and jute patterns themselves.

I also discovered a Greek Meander style pattern found on Cox's Stack. This reminded me of the key panels carved on pagan Celtic stones, which I attempted to replicate for the lid. I created a 45-degree grid and drew the C and S curved spirals using a reference from a book on Celtic Pattern.

I really enjoyed this course and creating the patterns. I learned a lot and I’ve recommended it to others. The hardest part was finishing it. I lost a track of time creating and could have kept working on this forever. I love minimal, subtle design and also have a passion for celtic art and tried my best to combine the two around the city of Dundee.