Pattern and Repetition
Introduced| English | Meaning |
|---|---|
| repetition/ˌrepəˈtɪʃn/ | The repeated use of an element, word or pattern to create an effect. |
| pattern/ˈpætn/ | The repeated element arranged in a predictable way. |
| motif/məʊˈtiːf/ | A recurring visual element, subject or pattern used within an artwork or series. |
| variation/ˌveərɪˈeɪʃn/ | Differences or changes in features, forms or arrangements, which can create variety within an artwork. |
Reusing an element
- Repetition 重复 reuses an element — a shape, colour, or line.
- A pattern 图案 is the repeated element arranged in a predictable way.
- Repetition builds unity and rhythm.
Reusing a shape, colour, or line is called ____.
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Repetition builds unity and rhythm.
The motif
- A motif 母题 is the single unit that repeats to form a pattern.
- Patterns can be regular (a grid, a tessellation) or irregular.
- Changing the motif's scale or colour varies the pattern.
William Morris's Strawberry Thief: one motif of birds among strawberries repeats in a regular pattern across the whole cloth
Repetition, pattern, or motif?
Match each example to the term it best fits.
The single unit that repeats to form a pattern is the...
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A motif is the repeating unit of a pattern.
Select all ways a pattern can be used.
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Patterns fill, texture, or become the subject; they do not erase repetition.
Match each term to its meaning.
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Repetition = reuse; motif = unit; pattern = arrangement.
Pattern as subject
- A pattern can fill a shape, define a texture, or become the subject itself.
- Too much repetition feels monotonous.
- Variation keeps a pattern engaging rather than dull.
Adding variation to a pattern destroys its rhythm.
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False. Variation keeps repetition interesting and stops a pattern from becoming monotonous.
A pattern is more than random repeating — it has a predictable arrangement of a motif. But a perfectly uniform pattern can become monotonous; introducing variation (a change of scale, colour, or spacing) keeps it alive and interesting.
A single leaf motif repeated in a grid makes a wallpaper pattern. Keep every leaf identical and it feels flat; let the leaves slowly change colour across the wall and the same pattern gains life through variation.
Repetition reuses an element; a pattern is a motif repeated in a predictable arrangement. Patterns can be regular or irregular, and can fill, texture, or be the subject. Variation keeps repetition from becoming monotonous.
Write from a motif repeated 8 times
- One leaf stamp is repeated 8 times in a row.
- A single leaf sits alone on another sheet.
One leaf stamp is pressed 8 times in a row. A second sheet has the leaf only once. Which sheet has a pattern?
A pattern needs the element more than once, arranged on purpose.
Which sheet shows a pattern?
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Eight repeats of one motif make a pattern.