1. INTRO TO SURFACE DESIGN– ARST 2710
Organic Object Study – Creating Motifs
For class on Wednesday, Feb 6th research the following and bring in the appropriate
materials to work in class.
RESEARCH:
Part 1:
Collect various objects from nature (e.g. botanicals, florals, roots, pine cones, shells, fruit
etc.). These objects can be found in the grocery store, a local greenhouse or go for a walk in
the woods to find your subject matter.
Choose 2 organic objects (e.g. an orange and a tree vine) and bring them to class on
Wednesday, Feb 6th.
You will be investigating the two objects concentrating on their natural patterns, textures and
quality of shape. Play with scale and proportion. Examine your objects from the inside out
and think about the natural occurrence of pattern on the object and in nature. Pay attention to
marks that may naturally occur on the object.
Create 12 sketches of each object (a total of 24 sketches). Use black paint medium
(acrylic, house paint) charcoal, pastel, construction paper, sharpie and explore techniques
such as stamping, layering etc. to create your sketches. Loosen up with your sketches and
think beyond the pencil. Be inventive and don’t just stick to one method of working.
Part 2:
Create singular motifs and clusters of pattern from your sketches. Explore scale with the
copy machine and experiment with cutting, layering and tearing copies of the studies to
achieve new shapes and other inventive design elements. Come to class on Monday, Feb
11th with a variety of sketches, motifs and patterns. Take two or more of your motifs or
design elements you have created and make at least 10 B&W copies of each subject matter.
You should explore scale with the copy machine. With these copies you will explore layout
on 2 yards of butcher block paper. Consider the background as a way to communicate the
environment your image comes from.
Now that you understand the process, select other motifs and design elements you have
created and make more black and white copies. When creating your patterns, consider
positive/negative space, density, scale, and proportion. Build active surfaces through the
interaction of the singular motif and the ground. Think about continuous surface and not
repeat.
Create a total of 8 patterns (4 of each object) on butcher block paper. Each pattern will be 2
yds.

2. Mon, Feb 18th: Group Critique for 8 patterns on Butcher Block Paper
Mon, March 4th: Final Critique of Organic Object: Hang Neatly and Professionally
- Required 2 designs (2 yards of each design).
- Color Source. One color source for each design.
Use 8 ½ x 11 Epson Matte Presentation paper provided for you in the Printing Room
- Stitch Witchery the four sides of your fabric. Demonstration in class prior to
critique.
MATERIALS NEEDED:
Pens, pencils, markers, drawing fluid black ink, paints, charcoal, acrylic or house paint, etc. Black
construction paper
Scotch Tape / Scissors
Color source image printed on good quality paper
Large Scale Paper (a decent weight to draw on) Bristol board, poster board (bring in paper with some
body).
Any other media you want to bring to achieve the results you need. You will use this paper while creating
your sketches.
Butcher block paper is provided.
Final Patterns
2 YARDS of fabric for 2 designs (preferably a white or neutral light color). You will print your
design on this fabric.
Water down pigment if you are going to paint directly. Think about tinting the fabric, water
wash. Use as many colors as you want. Use only cotton fabrics (cotton sateen, linen).
PATTERN MAKING SCHEDULE:
Wed, 2/06: Bring in object, begin sketching
Mon, 2/11 - 15: Bring in copies of sketches to begin assembling patterns. Review on color
sources.
Mon, 2/18th : Critique of paper patterns
Fri, 2/29: Demo of Stitch Witchery Finishing Technique
Mon, 3/01: Final Critique