Repeat Patterns: Brick Repeats

You might be wondering why I’m exploring some of the chapters in the book, Repeat Patterns: a manual for designers, artists and architects, co-authored by Peter Phillips and Gillian Bunce, but all will become clear in future posts…

Meanwhile onto the brick repeat, which is similar to the half drop repeat – one rotated 90 degrees produces the other. The main difference is the brick repeat forms a horizontal emphasis, while the half drop forms a vertical one. It can also affect two-dimensional pattern by creating diagonal movement, which can be emphasized or subdued using colour and tonal effects that are visually linked to particular elements in the repeat.

The most common variation is the striped horizontal mirror, which creates directional changes as the eye moves over the pattern. If the grid structure is used as an element within the design, it creates a more stable and solid pattern when repeated.

… From Repeat Patterns: a manual for designers, artists and architects, by Peter Phillips and Gillian Bunce.