How to Create Digital Patterns That Wow Your Customers

Written by Daisie Team

Published on 10 July 2023 8 min read

With the digital world evolving at breakneck speed, the ability to create stunning digital patterns is a skill that no designer can afford to overlook. Designing a digital pattern that captivates your customers isn't just about aesthetic appeal—it's about understanding the tools at your disposal and using them to create something truly unique. In this blog, we'll walk you through the process of creating digital patterns that make users stop and stare.

1. Get Familiar with Digital Pattern Tools

Before you can start designing eye-catching digital patterns, you need to understand the tools that will help you bring your creative vision to life. Let's take a look at some of the key tools you should get acquainted with.

Learn Photoshop

Photoshop by Adobe is a powerful tool that offers a wide range of features to create and edit digital patterns. Here, you can play with layers, experiment with colors, and work on different textures. The best part? It provides a non-destructive way of editing, meaning you can make changes without permanently altering your original image. However, remember that Photoshop is a raster-based tool, which makes it ideal for detailed and complex designs but less so for scalable vector patterns.

Explore Illustrator

Adobe Illustrator, on the other hand, is a vector-based tool. This means it's perfect for creating scalable digital patterns that retain their quality no matter how much you zoom in or out. Illustrator allows you to create a pattern swatch, which you can easily apply to any shape—making it a breeze to create repetitive designs. Illustrator's versatility makes it a favorite among many designers.

Check Out Other Tools

While Photoshop and Illustrator are industry standards, they're not the only tools in the digital pattern toolbox. Other tools you might want to explore include Procreate for iPad users, GIMP for those looking for a free alternative, and Inkscape for vector graphics enthusiasts. You might also find Canva helpful—it's user-friendly and offers a plethora of design elements to help you create digital patterns. The key is to find a tool that fits your needs and comfort level.

2. Practice Basic Design Principles

Now that you're familiar with the tools, it's time to dive into the fundamental design principles. These principles form the backbone of any effective digital pattern and will guide your design process.

Grasp Color Theory

Ever wonder why certain colors just seem to "click" together? That's color theory in action. Understanding color relationships and how colors affect the overall mood of your design is vital for creating a digital pattern that resonates with your audience. For instance, warm colors like red and orange often evoke feelings of passion and energy, while cool colors like blue and green are associated with calm and tranquility. Don't shy away from experimenting with different color combinations—you might be surprised at what works!

Understand Balance and Scale

Balance and scale play a significant role in creating a pleasing and harmonious digital pattern. Balance doesn't always mean symmetry—sometimes, an asymmetrical design might be just what you need to create interest and movement. On the flip side, scale refers to the size of the elements in your pattern. Playing with scale can add depth and dimension to your design, making your digital pattern more dynamic and engaging.

Know Texture Use

Texture is what gives a digital pattern its "feel". Whether you're aiming for a smooth and sleek look or a rough, rustic vibe, the textures you choose can significantly impact your design's overall effect. Using texture effectively can add depth to your pattern, make it more realistic, or create visual interest. But remember—the key to using texture is subtlety. Too much texture can make your design feel cluttered and overwhelming, so use it sparingly and thoughtfully.

3. Create Your First Simple Pattern

With a firm grasp on design principles and your chosen tools, it's time to get your hands dirty by creating your first simple digital pattern. But where to start, you ask? Let's break it down into manageable steps.

Choose a Theme

The first step to creating a stunning digital pattern is choosing a theme. This could be anything that sparks your creative fuel—from nature and animals to abstract shapes or even favorite hobbies. Choosing a theme helps give your design a sense of cohesion and direction. So, pick a theme that excites you and let's move on to the next step!

Select Colors and Shapes

Now comes the fun part—selecting colors and shapes. Remember the color theory we talked about earlier? It's time to put it into practice. Choose colors that align with your theme and create the mood you want to convey. As for shapes, they can be as simple or complex as you want. But for a start, stick with simple shapes—you'll be amazed at the stunning patterns you can create with just circles, squares, and triangles!

Arrange and Repeat

Finally, it's time to arrange your shapes and repeat them to create your pattern. This is where balance and scale come into play. Experiment with different arrangements until you find one that feels right. Then, repeat your arrangement across your design to form your digital pattern. Voila! You've just created your first simple digital pattern. But don't stop here—there's so much more you can do!

4. Experiment with Complex Patterns

Now that you've got your first simple digital pattern under your belt, let's take things up a notch by delving into complex patterns. Don't worry, I've got your back. Let's go step-by-step, just like we did with the simple pattern.

Add More Elements

The first step to creating a complex digital pattern is to add more elements. This could be additional shapes, lines, or even textures. Remember, these elements should still align with your chosen theme and color scheme. The key here is to avoid overcrowding the pattern—keep it balanced and harmonious.

Play with Textures

Next, let's give your digital pattern some depth by playing with textures. Adding texture to your pattern creates a sense of realism and makes your design more visually appealing. You can create textures using the tools in Photoshop or Illustrator, or even incorporate real-life textures such as fabric or paper. The possibilities are endless!

Try Different Color Schemes

Lastly, don’t be afraid to experiment with different color schemes. While your initial color choices were perfect for your first pattern, trying out different combinations could open up new dimensions in your design. You might discover a completely unexpected color scheme that takes your digital pattern to new heights!

Just remember, creating complex patterns requires practice and patience, so don’t be discouraged if your first few attempts don’t turn out as expected. Keep tweaking and experimenting — before long, you’ll be creating complex digital patterns that truly wow your customers!

5. Test Your Patterns

So, you've created some stunning digital patterns. Great job! But hold on, we're not done yet. It's time to take those patterns for a spin and see how they perform in the real world.

Apply on Different Surfaces

First up, try applying your digital pattern on various surfaces or products. This could range from a website background to product packaging, or even clothing. The goal here is to see how your pattern adapts to different scales and surfaces. Does it remain visually appealing on a small smartphone screen as well as on a large billboard? This is a key test for your digital pattern.

Get Feedback

Next, it's time to gather some feedback. Share your digital pattern with others—be it friends, colleagues, or your social media followers. Ask for their honest opinion. What do they like about the pattern? What would they change? This feedback can provide valuable insights and help you refine your design.

Make Adjustments

Based on the feedback you receive, don't be afraid to go back to the drawing board and make adjustments to your digital pattern. Remember, design is a iterative process. Even the most experienced designers make tweaks and revisions to their work. So, tweak away until you're fully satisfied with your pattern.

Testing your digital patterns is a key step that you shouldn't skip. It's all about making sure that your pattern not only looks good but also works well in practice. After all, a well-tested pattern is a pattern that's ready to wow your customers!

6. Learn from the Best

Even the most skilled artists find inspiration in the work of others. When it comes to creating digital patterns that wow, learning from the best in the business can give you a serious leg up.

Study Popular Patterns

Start by studying popular digital patterns. Websites like Pinterest and Instagram are treasure troves of design inspiration. Take note of what makes these patterns popular. Is it the color scheme, the intricate details, or the overall theme? Understanding this can help you incorporate similar elements into your own work.

Follow Talented Designers

Next on the list is to follow talented designers. On social media platforms like Dribbble and Behance, you can find numerous skilled designers showcasing their work. Following these designers can help you stay updated with the latest digital pattern trends and gain new ideas for your own designs.

Participate in Design Forums

Last but not least, involve yourself in design forums. Websites like Reddit's r/design and StackExchange's Graphic Design Forum are excellent platforms to interact with other designers, ask questions, and receive feedback on your work. Participating in these forums can help you grow as a designer and create digital patterns that truly wow your customers.

Learning from others doesn't mean copying their work. It's about gaining inspiration, understanding trends, and improving your own skills to create unique and eye-catching digital patterns.

7. Keep Updating Your Skills

In the fast-paced world of digital pattern design, staying still means falling behind. To keep your designs fresh and appealing, it's important to continuously update your skills and knowledge.

Attend Online Courses

Digital design is a vast field with constant advancements. Online courses are a convenient way to learn about these changes from the comfort of your home. Platforms such as Coursera, Udemy, and LinkedIn Learning offer comprehensive courses on digital pattern design, where you can learn at your own pace.

Read Design Books

Books can be a wealth of knowledge for understanding the fundamentals of design. Some notable ones include "The Elements of Graphic Design" by Alex White, "Thinking with Type" by Ellen Lupton, and "Making and Breaking the Grid" by Timothy Samara. These books can deepen your understanding of design principles and inspire new ways to approach your digital patterns.

Practice Regularly

Like any other skill, regular practice is key to mastering digital pattern design. Set aside some time each day to experiment with different design tools, and apply the principles you've learned. Over time, you'll see a marked improvement in your digital patterns.

Remember, the design world never stops evolving — and neither should you. By consistently updating your skills, you'll be able to create digital patterns that not only wow your customers today, but also in the future.

If you're eager to learn more about creating digital patterns that will truly impress your customers, be sure to explore the 'Digitising Handmade Illustrations' workshop by Jola Pictures. This comprehensive workshop will guide you through the process of transforming your handmade illustrations into stunning digital patterns, helping you elevate your designs and wow your audience.