So I've finally gathered enough patterns to create this second volume of patterns. In this collection, instead of drawing patterns on regular paper, I drew patterns on various types of materials - particular materials that are recyclable and normally thrown away. Such materials include receipts, paper bags, promotional cards (usually outdated ones or ones that come with packaging - still packaging is normally thrown away after the customer has received the product). I thought about whether I could draw on various recyclable materials instead of throwing them away. Perhaps while I'm out and about, waiting in a long queue or in a train feeling stressed, I pull out a receipt or a paper bag I have stuffed in my bag and start drawing patterns.
Keep in mind though, the reason why it is patterns and not a proper illustration is because these patterns are drawn without really thinking - They are supposed to be my pure imagination, when I am stressed out, or wanting relieve myself from designer/art's block, or when I can't think, what comes out is this kind of pattern which I can't explain fully but only visually. It is like pouring out stress and giving my brain and hands something to exercise with. I rarely think when I drew these patterns, what ever I feel like, I just start to draw it.
Keep in mind though, the reason why it is patterns and not a proper illustration is because these patterns are drawn without really thinking - They are supposed to be my pure imagination, when I am stressed out, or wanting relieve myself from designer/art's block, or when I can't think, what comes out is this kind of pattern which I can't explain fully but only visually. It is like pouring out stress and giving my brain and hands something to exercise with. I rarely think when I drew these patterns, what ever I feel like, I just start to draw it.
The idea is that it's not always consistent, because my brain is not always consistent in itself - Even if I'm stressed, there are different levels of stress, and different things that I stress about that have different levels of priority and value. It is also not just stress, but I forgot to mention, sometimes it is also designer/artist's block where I can't think of something and need some type of brain and hand exercise to get my mind working. So you can see some patterns are quite vibrant and has variety, some are quite routined - these patterns reflect my feelings and thoughts at a a particular time and place. Unfortunately, because it is an in the moment type of pattern - I did not date many of these, but I have date some of them to keep record of what I felt, and when I did the pattern.
On the side note of something contradictory, a friend of mine told me these patterns looked good enough to sell, so I experimented with the idea of creating mock ups and seeing what the patterns look like in merch and in a professional sense. I still kept the same method, creating patterns based on how I feel and think, and keeping it to my imagination, but this is more so applied to seeing how art can be taken to a design level, meaning how it can be purposeful and used commercially. It's all just an idea to play around with, but it was still fun to see the patterns on merch items.
Well, I hope you've enjoyed browsing through this pattern collection. Perhaps it has different vibe the previous pattern collection, but I was happy to share what I've collected and created over the months.
As I created this volume, it made me think about art vs. design, how and why they're different. Art is usually a bit more personal where as design is more commercial and made to be purposeful. Perhaps I question whether my patterns should stay as art or should be transformed into design. I experimented with this idea throughout this particular project, which is why it seems quite contradictory. Could it be a design that's unique? Or could it stay as art where I express myself? At the moment, I'm on the fence.
As I created this volume, it made me think about art vs. design, how and why they're different. Art is usually a bit more personal where as design is more commercial and made to be purposeful. Perhaps I question whether my patterns should stay as art or should be transformed into design. I experimented with this idea throughout this particular project, which is why it seems quite contradictory. Could it be a design that's unique? Or could it stay as art where I express myself? At the moment, I'm on the fence.
