1. Tessellation Project
Today we will discuss the requirements and
expectations for your Tessellation projects and
you will receive a brief introduction to the
different types of tessellations. This is an
individual project.

2. Tessellation Project
 Maurits Cornelis Escher (1898 – 1972) was a
Dutch artist famous for his repetitive,
interlocking pattern. His works look like
paintings but were done by woodcarving and
lithographs.
 Escher’s designs are made from variations on
tiling patterns called tessellations. A floor
covered by square tiles is an example of a
tessellation of squares.

3. Tessellations & Transformations
Tessellations can be modified by using
transformations. As you know,
transformations are movements of
geometric figures. One transformation,
commonly used to create tessellations is
a slide, or translation, of a figure.

4. Translation Tessellations
For simple translation tessellations, polygons should have
opposite sides that are parallel and congruent – squares,
hexagons, parallelograms.

5. Example: Translation Tessellation
You can create more complex designs starting with
square tessellations and making changes on both
pairs of sides.

6. Depending how you
decide to color your
tessellation, a very
simple design can
have a very creative
result.

7. Glide Reflection Tessellation
For glide reflection tessellations, polygons should have
opposite sides that are parallel and congruent – squares,
hexagons, parallelograms.

8. Example
By reflecting and gliding
over more than one side, you
can create a more complex
tessellation.

9. Adding coloring and features will enhance the artwork.

10. Tessellation created by Rotation
Adjacent sides must be congruent – squares, equilateral
triangles, regular hexagons, rhombi

11. Midpoint Rotations
 Triangles, Squares, and Quadrilaterals
Note: More than one side may be altered for more challenging designs. Coloring
one side of the pattern will help prevent accidental flipping during tracing.

12. Example:
Rotational
Tessellation

14. Suggestions
 READ THE PACKET first before trying your
tessellation. There is a lot of good information in the
packet that will help you in deciding on which type
of tessellation to do and in creating your tessellation.
 A template that is approximately 2 inches by 2
inches will work well to create an 8 ½ by 11 inch
tessellation.

15. Suggestions
 Try out several designs, by cutting and taping paper
together until you find something you like.
 When you have decided on a design, create your
template on a stiff material – heavy cardstock or a
file folder seem to work well for creating a sturdy
template that can be traced over and over.
 Be creative. Your design should not look like any of
the designs in the packet or in this presentation.
 Remember: Finding a design online and copying it
is plagiarism.

16. Tessellation Project
 Your project is due on WEdnesday, January
30th at the beginning of class. Grading criteria
is in your packet.
 On the due date, you must turn in your
completed tessellation, your template.
 Do NOT wait until the last minute!!!!!