What is Surface Pattern Design? — Elizabeth Silver Surface Pattern Design (2024)

If this is the first time you're hearing about Surface Pattern Design, you are about to fall in love. I’ve never met a person who doesn’t think surface pattern design sounds like the most fun job ever. I mean making a living sketching flowers and drawing rollerskating dogs...pretty dope, right?

You'll hear "Surface Pattern Design" and "Surface Design" thrown around by artists who do this work and it can be a little confusing. In the video below, I'm clarifying both the technical definition and the more informal uses of Surface Pattern Design terminology that are typically used. I’m also explaining some other types of design and how they overlap, check it out:

Surface Pattern Design is the act of creating art for the surfaces of mass-manufactured products.

As the name suggests, in its most true form, surface pattern design is primarily artwork that repeats in a pattern. For example, wallpaper, wrapping paper, upholstery, quilting fabric, apparel fabric, and floor coverings.

Repeat Designs vs. Engineered Designs

The reality is, in practice, a surface pattern designer is often creating artwork that is not in repeat. This comes into play in the work I do on a regular basis across industries. For example, when I design for apparel, I often create repeats for clothing, but occasionally create engineered designs for dress borders, coordinating shirt and pant sets, or other specific areas. The same thing holds true in paper goods, table linens, etc.

You may find some purists who don’t consider designing the art for a gift bag, for example, to be “Surface Pattern Design”. But any art created to be mass-manufactured on a product surface is Surface Pattern Design in practice. And here's what's important to know: as a surface pattern designer, you’ll be expected to be proficient with a repeat but also to understand the value and balance of creating an engineered design.

[Wondering about the artistic skills needed to be a Surface Pattern Designer? You’re not alone. I answer that question here: Becoming a Surface Pattern Designer: Do You Need to Be Able to Draw?]

NEW TO SURFACE PATTERN? CHECK OUT MY MOST HELPFUL BLOGS FOR NEWBIES!

Textile Design

You may consider Textile Designers to fall into the same category as Surface Pattern Designers. When I worked in-house for bedding and home textile companies, I considered myself a Textile Designer. There is some overlap, but a Textile Designer not only focuses on ONLY textiles as a substrate (not dinnerware or paper products) but they also have a rich understanding of the more technical aspects of fabric production -- weaving techniques, fabric dye techniques, knit structures, and other parameters. In some cases, Textile Designers may not be able to illustrate repeating designs at all.

[I share more about my experience working in-house here: My Imperfect Path From In-House to Freelance Surface Pattern Designer]

Printed Textile Design

This is a term that more closely relates to Surface Pattern Design and while it still requires some understanding of printing techniques specific to textiles, this job description would likely line up with a Surface Pattern Design skillset.

Product Design

A Product Designer is another discipline that can sometimes be similar to a Surface Pattern Designer. If you’re working with a company that creates numerous decor or stationery items, you may find that creating the art for the surface of the products and creating the specifications for how that product is manufactured blends together.

A Product Designer needs to understand 3-D design principles, materials, manufacturing restrictions, and other product specifications. A good Surface Pattern Designer will learn and understand product specifications, and then leave the super technical stuff to someone else.

Illustrator

When it comes to designing for products that don’t often repeat, like art on journals or mugs, you may be considered an Illustrator. An illustration usually explains or tells some sort of story, so when the art’s main function is to make something pretty, it’s really more in the Surface Pattern Design realm.

[Curious about all the jobs available to a Surface Pattern Designer? Be sure to check this out: Surface Pattern Design Jobs: Which Path is Right for You?]

Surface Design

Surface Design (without the pattern part) can be a good catch-all for how to describe designing for mass-manufactured products that are both patterned and engineered designs. But according to the Graphic Artist Guild, Surface Design is specifically for non-mass manufactured products. For example, etching onto handmade ceramic bowls or other items that are individually designed.

In the art world, Surface Design can be seen as any technique that manipulates or changes the surface of a fabric, including embroidery, weaving, and felting. That distinction is why most days, I don’t use the term Surface Designer, and instead use Surface Pattern Designer. I’m creating flat artwork, not making relief sculptures with paper pulp on the side of a vase. Still, many people do use that term and it just depends on who you’re speaking to.

[Just getting started as a Surface Pattern Designer and have more questions? I answer the most common questions I hear from my students here: Top 10 Questions from Beginner Surface Pattern Designers]

Put a Pattern On It!

So there ya have it. The distinction between Surface Pattern Design and other modes of artistry can sometimes be blurry. And as a practicing Surface Pattern Designer, part of your job will probably include engineered designs too. (Spoiler alert: It’s still JUST as fun. Trust.)

As you’ve probably realized, Surface Pattern Design is a small niche of the art and design world. But when you look around you'll realize that EVERYTHING has a pattern or design on it. From paper towels, tissue boxes, rugs, sheets, clothing, journals, mugs, home decor, dinnerware, socks, and phone cases. Surface Pattern Design is everywhere and all the things you own are much more appealing because of it. (You’re welcome.)

What does this mean? Lots of opportunities out there for you (and your dancing tigers and happy popsicles). So go forth and get those designs out in the world! 🙌

Curious to know the VERY FIRST thing I teach in my beginner students? I spill the beans right here: Get Started with a Surface Pattern Design Career: An Easy First Step

NEW TO SURFACE PATTERN? CHECK OUT MY MOST HELPFUL BLOGS FOR NEWBIES!

✔ Portfolio Sales Sheet Templates

✔ Art Licensing Agency List

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✔ Adobe Illustrator Mini Course

✔ Bonus Videos from Industry Professionals discussing income

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