3 Tips to make your design pop!
How to get perfect beautiful pattern designs
Have you ever created a pattern design and felt like something was missing, like it just didn’t pop?
Often, the secret lies in how you use color. As a pattern designer, I’ve learned that a few simple shifts can bring your artwork to life. Here are three essential tips to make your designs shine.
Create a powerful color palette
Pick one color to lead and support it with accents and neutrals. A good palette sets the tone before the design even speaks.
When you choose colors with intention and give them a clear role in your design, everything starts to flow. You don’t need more colors, just a smart way to use them.
Pro tip: Start by identifying the emotion you want your pattern to express (joy, calm, energy), then build your palette around it.
2. Choose the order
Give each color a role: main, secondary, or detail. A clear order creates balance and helps your focal points shine.
Think of your pattern as a scene: Who’s the star? Who’s supporting? And what elements are just setting the mood in the background?
3. Let the color breathe
Use space and contrast to highlight your colors. Not everything needs to shout, silence gives strength to the bold.
Don’t overcrowd your design. Use negative space and contrast to highlight your colors. Not everything needs to be loud, silence gives power to the bold. Let your colors breathe so each one can shine.
White space is not empty, t’s part of the composition. It helps your bold choices stand out with clarity.