A few weeks ago I started a new project called “100 Simple Patterns”. The idea is to create 100 simple patterns using shapes etc. in Illustrator with different colour palettes. The reason I started this challenge was because I felt so bogged down by my lack of practice, but creating more complex patterns takes time and I was comparing my work (or lack thereof) with other designers, forgetting that our goals aren’t necessarily the same and I should be focusing on my own work and my own goals.

And so this project was born and it has been so much fun. I have loved some of the patterns and hated others, I have enjoyed working with some of the colour palettes and others hurt my eyes, I have done math to get the repeat right and got frustrated when I couldn’t get the math right. I’m only a few patterns in, but I’m loving creating everyday in a way that isn’t stressful and sharing my work even when it isn’t what I would think of as great.

Practice makes progress, it’s the only way to improve, grow and get better and it’s the only way to get to know what you really like and don’t like. You can look for inspiration online and on social media and love other people’s work, but when you try to work in that style find that you just don’t enjoy working that way. An example, I love all the beautiful textured and layered pieces out there, but for now, I just can’t get it quite right yet. I will keep practicing, but I will also keep going with my flat style, I enjoy creating in that way.

I hope that you also have a project that you’re working on and if you don’t I’d like to encourage you to stop thinking about what others will think and just go for it, do it for you. If you need an accountability partner, get in touch, I’ll happily check in on you and your project. So here goes, my 100 Simple Patterns, I’ll keep adding them until there are 100, I hope you enjoy them.

Chat soon,

Riëtte