How Pattern Templates Make the Creative Process More Efficient

When I first started designing seamless patterns, I had such a hard time with even motif placement and pattern layout. My creative process was slow and frustrating.

To combat this frustration, I began creating and using pattern templates (and this was a huge “aha” moment for me).

You may be thinking, if you use the same template for each pattern (or each hero pattern), then all of your patterns will look the same. But, templates do not limit creativity. In fact, they give you a consistent style while taking the guesswork out of layout and motif placement.

In other words, a good pattern template removes the technical decisions from pattern creation. This means no more thinking about repeat size, layout, structure, and spacing. Instead you (and I) get to focus on illustrating, color palettes, and telling visual stories (basically all the fun stuff).

I see templates as creative tools, and the diamond method as the most versatile repeat method. Combining the two allows me to enjoy the creative process without feeling burnt out.

If you’re curious about the diamond templates I use for my collections, you can find them in my Etsy shop. They’re designed to be flexible, beginner-friendly, and easy to customize for your own style.

Use code BLOG40 to save on any template or brush purchase