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Repeating pattern artwork In this project the students will create a repeating pattern design, by creating a simple design then duplicating and rotating it, over and over.
Grade level:
3rd–6th
Subjects:
Fine art, technology, symmetry, simple math
Time commitment: 1–2 hours depending on the extent of the project
Products used:
Adobe® Photoshop® Elements 3.0
Objective
Understanding what layers are and how to use them effectively
Using math skills to reduce and increase the work area
Using creative thinking skills to figure out how to create an interesting design
Background information
Did you know that most logos are made with popular fonts?
Instructions
Start from Scratch
Open Photoshop Elements 3.0 and selection the option of Start from Scratch
Create a New project with the size of 3 inches x 3 inches and the resolution of 300.
Select the Ellipse Tool. Make sure to reset the default foreground/ background colors by clicking on the little black and white squares at the lower left of the tool bar.
Also make sure that the ruler is turned on by clicking on View, Rules
Now drag your mouse from the upper left corner of the white works area to the lower right corner. This should create a circle that just fits inside of your rectangle.
Create another circle but this time start your mouse 1/2 inch in and 1/2 in down from the top left corner, going to 1/2 inch in and 1/2 inch up from the lower right corner. You should be able to see faint guide lines on the ruler that line up with where your mouse is on the screen.
You will notice that this circle is also black. You will change it to white by clicking on the Color selection box just above your work area.
To make the color truly white you will need to type in 6 - f's in the color code box. (black is 6 - Zeros)
Repeat this step, moving in 1/2 inch at a time and changing the colors from black to white and white to black.
Get the crop tool and set the dimensions to 1.5 inches x 1.5 inches keeping the resolution at 300.
Drag your mouse from the upper left corner down to 1 1/2 inches. Right click the mouse on the selection and click on crop
Now you are going to decorate your artwork by filling in the white areas with square and circle.
(Hint if you click the down arrow at the end of the shape selection tool bar, you can set your rectangle to be square and your ellipses to be circles.)
It is time to save your artwork before we move on.
Click on File, Save. Be sure to save the image as a JPG file not a PSD.
Close your work, and do not save the untitled image.
Now Open your JPG file by clicking on File, Open.
Create a new work area
Click on File, New, Blank File and give your new work area the dimensions of 3 inches by 3 inches and resolution of 300.
Although this new image may look like the same size as your other work, this next step will show you differently.
Click on your artwork image then click on the Move tool. Click your mouse in the middle of your artwork and drag it to the white area on the new work area.
You will see the artwork is much smaller than the new work area. Move the artwork into one of the four corners of the work area.
Duplicate the layer by dragging the layer to the icon above it that looks like two pieces of paper. This will create a new layer. Repeat this step 2 more times to create a total of 4 layers.
Move each layer into one of the four corners. Once the layers are in each of the corners you can try rotating the layers by moving your mouse to just out side of the layers corner border. When the arrow turns into a double curved arrow, move your mouse to the left or right to begin rotating the layer. You can create very interesting patterns by rotating the layers in different directions.
Increasing the work area
Now you are ready to triple your work area and duplicate your new pattern again.
First you will need to flatten the image into one layer. Click on Layer, Flatten Image.
You will see that there is now only one layer.
Create a larger work area
Click on Image, Resize, Canvas size. Change the canvas size too 9 inches by 9 inches.
Now duplicate the layer again 8 times and move the layers in to a position that will complete a page of patterns.
You are now done. You can print your pattern or save if for use with another project.
Discussion questions
Are the students having difficulty creating circles? If so have them set the shape to be a circle shape. (as explained in the section talking about squares). They can also set the circles to start from the center if that helps.
Did the students crop the first image to be exactly 1 1/2 inches each way? If not the pattern will not look right in the end. Have them undo their work to a point that they can re-crop the image.
Evaluation
4.0 work — There are more than 3 circle patterns and more than 4 squares. The image is cropped well. There is some rotation in the design to create an interesting pattern. The layers are lined up properly. The project was complete in the time allowed. The student is happy with the results.
3.0 work — (two or more of these) There are a 3 or fewer circle patterns less than 3 squares. The image is cropped, with minor errors. There is little or no rotation in the design. The layers are lined up but not exact. The project took longer to complete than the original time allowed, but it is complete.
2.0 work — (two or more of these) The image is cropped, with noticeable errors. There are no additional circles or squares. The layers are not lined up. There is no rotation in the design. The image is not 9 inches by nine inches. The student agrees that they could have done better.
1.0 work — (two or more of these) The first image is not cropped. The image is not 9 inches by 9 inches. Work is far from complete. The student agrees that they could have done better.
Credits
This lesson was created by educator and Technology Director Meredith Blache.
Note: Lesson content is furnished for informational use only, is subject to change without notice, and should not be construed as a commitment by Adobe Systems Incorporated. Adobe Systems Incorporated assumes no responsibility or liability for any errors or inaccuracies that may appear in this material.
