Planning Your Surface Pattern Designs Using Procreate

As a surface pattern designer, planning your designs before you start creating them can save you a lot of time and frustration. With the help of digital tools like Procreate, you can easily plan out your designs and experiment with different layouts, color schemes, and motifs. In this article, we'll discuss how to plan your surface pattern designs using Procreate, covering three key aspects of the process.

Planning Your Surface Pattern Designs Using Procreate

Setting Up Your Canvas and Layers

The first step to planning your surface pattern designs in Procreate is to set up your canvas and layers. You'll want to choose a canvas size and resolution that's appropriate for your project and create separate layers for each element of your design. This will allow you to easily make changes and experiment with different variations without affecting the rest of your design.

For example, you might create a layer for your main motif, another layer for your secondary motifs, and a third layer for your background color. This way, you can easily adjust the placement, size, and color of each element without affecting the others.

If you want to learn more about layers and setting up your designs check out my free Course "Procreate for iPad Beginner Class".

Sketching and Ideation

Once you've set up your canvas and layers, it's time to start sketching and ideating your designs. Procreate offers a variety of brushes and drawing tools that can help you bring your ideas to life. You can experiment with different line weights, textures, and colors to create a unique and cohesive design.

One helpful tool in Procreate for ideation is the QuickShape feature. This allows you to easily draw basic shapes like circles, squares, and triangles, which you can then manipulate and combine to create more complex motifs and patterns.

As you sketch and ideate your designs, don't be afraid to make mistakes or try out different variations. You can always go back and make changes or start over if needed.

Color Planning and Swatching

Color is a crucial aspect of surface pattern design, and planning your color scheme ahead of time can help you create a more cohesive and visually appealing design. Procreate offers a variety of tools and features to help you plan your colors and create custom color swatches.

One helpful tool for color planning in Procreate is the Eyedropper tool. This allows you to select colors from an existing image or design and use them in your own work. You can also create custom color swatches by selecting and saving colors from the Color Panel.

When planning your colors, consider factors like color theory, contrast, and mood. You might create a mood board or gather inspiration images to help you choose a color scheme that fits the theme or mood of your design.

Mockups and Presentation

Once you've planned and created your surface pattern design in Procreate, it's time to present it in a professional and appealing way. Mockups can help you showcase your design on various products and in different settings, giving potential clients or customers a better idea of how it might look in real life.

Procreate offers a variety of tools and features to help you create mockups and presentation materials. You can use the Transform tool to adjust the placement and size of your design, add shadows and highlights to create depth and dimension, and even create mockups of products like phone cases or tote bags.

When presenting your designs, consider factors like lighting, composition, and branding. You might create a cohesive brand identity for your designs, with a consistent color scheme, font choice, and logo.

In conclusion, planning your surface pattern designs using Procreate can help you save time, experiment with different variations, and create a more cohesive and professional design. By setting up your canvas and layers, sketching and ideating your designs, planning your colors, and creating mockups and presentation materials, you can take your surface pattern designs to the next level and attract potential clients or customers. It's important to remember that planning and preparation are key to success in surface pattern design, and Procreate can be a valuable tool in your design process.

Whether you're a beginner or an experienced designer, Procreate offers a range of features and tools to help you bring your ideas to life. By following these tips and exploring the various functions of Procreate, you can create beautiful and unique surface pattern designs that stand out in a competitive market.

In summary, Procreate is an excellent tool for planning and creating surface pattern designs. With its versatile features and tools, you can set up your canvas and layers, sketch and ideate your designs, plan your colors, and create mockups and presentation materials. By incorporating Procreate into your design process, you can save time, experiment with different variations, and create a cohesive and professional design.

Read more: What is Print on Demand?