Duration:

40 hours

Basic computer skills. No prior Illustrator experience required (first sessions cover basics).

A cohesive pattern collection (3 related patterns) + presentation mockups (repeat swatches applied to a garment or surface).

• Course overview, outcomes, install/check Illustrator, interface tour

• Pen, Pencil, Shape tools, Pathfinder, Layers, Align.
• Draw motifs (leaf, simple flower) using shapes + pen. Use Layers for organization.

• Color modes (RGB/CMYK), swatches, global colors, gradients.
• In-class: Build a 6-color palette, create global swatches. Apply to motifs.

• Understand tiling, repeat types: basic (block), half-drop, brick, mirror.
• Demonstrate a 1×1 block repeat manually.

• Make seamless repeat using Artboard + Transform/Move + Offset Path technique.
• Step through making a seamless tile. Test by duplicating tile.

• Use Object → Pattern → Make; Pattern Options, tile types.
• Create patterns with Pattern Options; experiment with spacing & overlap.

• Build half-drop and mirror repeats, control registration.
• Make half-drop and mirror tiles and preview on a large artboard

• Use Transform, Symbols, Scatter brushes, and pattern layering to create rhythm.
• Create pattern with rotated/scaled motif variations and opacity variation.

• Live Trace/ Image Trace, cleaning paths, simplifying.
• Trace a hand sketch/photo and clean it for repeat use.

• Overlapping motifs, use of transparency & blending modes, compound paths.
• Design a layered repeat where motifs overlap and punch through.

• Scale relationships, pattern repeat size for garments vs. homeware.
• Produce scale charts and test patterns on artboards sized for swatches.

• Recolor Artwork tool, Edit → Edit Colors, create colorway swatches.
• Recolor an existing pattern into 4 colorways (print-friendly & fashion).

• Add texture (grain, paper) using opacity masks, raster overlays.
• Create subtle fabric texture overlays and apply as opacity masks in patterns.

• Check repeats for seams, export settings for print & digital. Bleeds and margins.
• seam test, color mode, DPI for raster elements. Export sample repeats.

• Apply patterns to mockups: repeat swatches on garments, cushions, wallpaper.
• Use mockup templates

• Develop three related patterns (small, medium, large) forming a collection.
• Plan collection theme, assign motifs, palettes. Start building set.

• Understand technical constraints: directional prints, nap, one-way prints.
• Make directional pattern and explain how to set up for cutting/layout.

• Create spec sheets: pattern name, scale, repeat size (cm/in), color codes, file types.
• Build a professional spec sheet template. Export AI, PDF, TIFF.

• How to present patterns in portfolio; peer critique session.
• Each student gives 5-minute presentation of their collection; group feedback.

• Final project submission, grading, next steps (selling, print-on-demand, licensing).
• Submit files, run quick retrospective, show export checklist. Award completion and give resources for further learning.