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Lesson 8 of 9
  • Year 10

Surface pattern

I can explore surface pattern by designing a motif and experimenting with scale to create repeat patterns.

Lesson 8 of 9
New
New
  • Year 10

Surface pattern

I can explore surface pattern by designing a motif and experimenting with scale to create repeat patterns.

These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

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These resources were created for remote use during the pandemic and are not designed for classroom teaching.

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Repeat patterns create a sense of rhythm and continuity, making the fabric visually appealing and harmonious.
  2. Designers often scale the motif up or down to change its size and add variety in a repeat pattern.
  3. Many textile traditions repeat patterns, allowing artists to connect their work to cultural heritage.

Keywords

  • Surface pattern - decorative designs applied to the surface of materials like fabric, paper, or ceramics

  • Repeat - a design that is copied and arranged over and over to cover a surface

  • Scale - the size of a design or motif in relation to its surface or surrounding space

Common misconception

Surface pattern decoration is only used in textiles.

Surface pattern can be applied to many materials, including ceramics, wallpaper, furniture, and architecture.


To help you plan your year 10 art and design lesson on: Surface pattern, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

This project can work well if you have a photocopier or printer in the classroom or near the classroom so that pupilss can photcopy their work once they are ready.
Teacher tip

Equipment

Photocopier, printer, pencil, fine liner pen, white copier paper, glue sticks.

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Prior knowledge starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Match the terms to the best definition:

Correct Answer:Surface pattern,Decorative designs applied to the surface of materials

Decorative designs applied to the surface of materials

Correct Answer:Repeat,A design that is copied and arranged over and over to cover a surface

A design that is copied and arranged over and over to cover a surface

Correct Answer:Scale,The size of a design in relation to its surface or surrounding space

The size of a design in relation to its surface or surrounding space

Q2.
Which of the following is an example of surface pattern in everyday life?

A plain white wall
A painting in a gallery
Correct answer: A floral wallpaper in a living room
A blank piece of paper

Q3.
What is a motif in surface pattern design?

A type of fabric used in textiles
Correct answer: A decorative symbol or design used to create patterns
A type of drawing tool
A colour scheme

Q4.
What is a repeat pattern?

A pattern created by layering different materials
A design drawn once and never used again
Correct answer: A motif that is copied and arranged over and over to cover a surface
A large painting made of multiple images

Q5.
Select three reasons designers experiment with the scale of a motif.

Correct answer: To suit different applications like clothing or wallpaper
Correct answer: To create visual interest and variety in a pattern
Correct answer: To explore how a design looks in different sizes
To make the motif harder to see

Q6.
What is the benefit of using a photocopier when working with repeat patterns?

It lets you copy colour perfectly
Correct answer: It saves time by making exact copies of your motif for arranging and scaling
It prints 3D models
It draws the motif for you

Additional material

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