focus

Surface pattern design

What you may learn

How to create repeating patterns, colour variations and designs at different scales. You test patterns and prepare files for printing on surfaces.

What to check

Check the intended surface and printing process. Check pattern repeats, colour, scale and production files. Fabric construction requires additional textile study.

This focus can accompany textile or other applied design study. Related fields are alternatives, not joint requirements. A pattern course does not prove textile manufacturing knowledge.

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Connected careers

Surface pattern design teaches repeating patterns, colour variations and scale. These help you develop prints for fabrics and other surfaces.

Check the intended surfaces and printing processes. Check for repeat patterns, colour variations and production files. Fabric construction needs separate checking.

Sources and limitations

BA (Hons) Textile Design: Chelsea course units · University of the Arts London, Chelsea College of Arts · 2026-10-11

Students choose contexts and processes. The programme does not teach every textile process to equal depth or establish industrial production qualifications.

Applied Surface Design Using Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop: short course · University of the Arts London, Central Saint Martins · 2026-10-11

This short course assumes prior software experience. It does not teach fabric construction, all printing processes or a complete textile design programme.

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