Design – Page 2 – Committed

Category: Design

Hot Pattern-A-Day: Patterns #11 & #12

Posted on August 30, 2012 by admin

I’m clearly very far behind on this project! But instead of beating myself up over it, I’m just going to keep sharing them as they come. Here are two very different options for your patterning needs.

Pattern #11: Spring Swirl

I was browsing an old sketchbook (and I mean OLD–like before I was even thinking about being a designer) and found a fun style. With some touching up and color added, it’s a happy addition to any desktop. 🙂

All I ask is you provide a link back to my blog to let folks know where you got it.

Pattern #12: Moroccan Tile

If I could only actually produce these and tile my future pool with these, I’d be a happy gal. I used intentionally misaligned and asymmetrical elements to add to the handmade feel.

Committed Pattern 12 — Feel free to use this pattern as a background. Link back to http://committedgifts.wordpress.com

Hot Pattern-A-Day: Pattern #9 & #10

Posted on August 13, 2012 by admin

Before launching into the next couple of patterns, I feel I should explain the Pattern-A-Day project a little bit.

You may look at the collection and say “These aren’t really patterns, Smarty.” And I’ll say, “You’re right. They are tiles for a seamless repeat pattern.” While the image itself may or may not be a pattern, when repeated, they should do so seamlessly.

Crappy technical tip: So if you want to see this at work, right-click on the image, click “Save As.” Then you can go to your System Preferences, choose “Change Desktop Background”, and select the image. Depending on your system, there are options such as “Fill Screen,” “Stretch to Screen,” or “Tile.” Select “Tile” and there you have it. See the image of my lovely desktop below:

Anyway, onto some new patterns (yes, I’m sticking with the misnomer for consistency!)

Pattern #9: Rec Room

So I didn’t grow up with a Rec Room, but I read many books of teens who had them in their basements. I didn’t even have a basement, or stairs, so the whole idea intrigued me. I always pictured Rec Rooms with some crazy wallpaper and shag carpet. And maybe a handmade mahogany bar stocked with Seagrams 7 and Wild Turkey. If that mental picture was at all accurate, I’d bet the wallpaper was something like the following.

All I ask is you provide a link back to my blog to let folks know where you got it.

Committed Pattern 9: Rec Room — Feel free to use this pattern as a background. Link back to http://committedgifts.wordpress.com

Pattern #10: Hello, Dahlia!

It’s dahlia season, and Volunteer Park in Seattle has a beautiful collection of these structural, unique flowers. I snapped pics today and collaged them. I love the screenprinted effect (without getting my hands dirty). This would make an excellent desktop wallpaper, Twitter background, or blog background. Take a deep whiff and enjoy!

Hot Pattern-A-Day: Pattern #7 & #8

Posted on August 8, 2012 by admin

Today is a twofer since I didn’t get to post yesterday.

Pattern #7: Argyle Love Connection

I’ve been a fan of argyle for years, so for today, I thought I’d show it a little love…connection.

The lines connect star-crossed lovers all across your desktop!

If you repost, all I ask is you provide a link back to my blog to let folks know where you got it.

Committed Pattern 7: Argyle Love Connection — Feel free to use this pattern as a background. Link back to http://committedgifts.wordpress.com

Pattern #8: Hot Shade

Two years ago, we took a little trip to LA. One day, we visited the Getty, which was a truly amazing experience. One thing I really loved were the tumbled travertine pavers in the courtyard, enhanced by the shade of the well-placed trees. I took some of these tiles and manipulated them. I think they look a little like watercolor now. Enjoy!

Again, if you repost, all I ask is you provide a link back to my blog to let folks know where you got it.

Committed Pattern 8: Hot Shade — Feel free to use this pattern as a background. Link back to http://committedgifts.wordpress.com

Hot Pattern-A-Day: Pattern #6

Posted on August 6, 2012 by admin

Pattern #6: Pole Position

I was inspired by this weekend’s trip to the LeMay Car Museum. The cars were beautiful and the building itself was a sight to see! I’m only a casual car enthusiast. “Appreciator” is more of an accurate term. My husband is the true enthusiast, pointing out the horsepower of this, the xx-liter engine of that (I really don’t know). But what I was struck by were all the design details, especially before the 1960s. From this collection, it seemed like there was a true intention to design and create beautiful details, even in production vehicles. I think car manufacturers are just beginning to head back in this direction, but are a far cry from the real “coolness” that existed in other eras.

I digress. Here’s today’s pattern. Numbers galore!

All I ask is you provide a link back to my blog to let folks know where you got it.

Committed Pattern #6 — Feel free to use this pattern as a background. Link back to http://committedgifts.wordpress.com

Hot Pattern-A-Day: Pattern #5

Posted on August 5, 2012 by admin

Pattern #5: Bright Boho

This is a little bit of a cheat, but I liked #4 so much, I created a couple of different colorways. I can see these sunny amoeba-flowers gracing a tote bag or little clutch. Of course, I post these here for electronic use, but maybe someday I’ll get into textile design. 🙂 So download away, friends!

All I ask is you provide a link back to my blog to let folks know where you got it.

Committed Pattern #5 — Feel free to use this pattern as a background. Link back to http://committedgifts.wordpress.com

Hot Pattern-A-Day: Pattern #4

Posted on August 4, 2012 by admin

Pattern #4: Boho Summer

This one was a lot of fun. I used an actual PENCIL and PAPER! I liked it so much, I made it the cover image for the Committed Facebook page. You could fiddle with it and do the same!

All I ask is you provide a link back to my blog to let folks know where you got it.

Committed Pattern #4 — Feel free to use this pattern as a background. Link back to http://committedgifts.wordpress.com

Hot Pattern-A-Day: Pattern #3

Posted on August 3, 2012 by admin

Pattern #3: Georetro

I’m kind of excited about this one. Inspired by Charley Harper’s awesome geometric animals, and just a 60s look in general, I wanted to bring in some fun shapes and colors and see if they’d work together in a seamless pattern. Maybe repeat it to create a nice timeline header?

All I ask is you provide a link back to my blog to let folks know where you got it.

Committed Pattern-A-Day #3 — Feel free to use this pattern as a background. Link back to http://committedgifts.wordpress.com

Hot Pattern-A-Day: Pattern #2

Posted on August 2, 2012 by admin

Pattern #2: Lateral Lavender

This pattern was originally inspired by plaid and gingham, but went another, more modern direction. I am thinking it’ll be a good one for a desktop!

All I ask is you provide a link back to my blog to let folks know where you got it.

Committed Pattern #2 — Feel free to use this pattern as a background. Link back to http://committedgifts.wordpress.com

Hot Pattern-A-Day: Freebies for Friends

Posted on August 1, 2012 by admin

For the month of August, I’ve decided to sharpen my design chops and do a little daily project. Every day, I’ll be designing a seamless pattern.

The plan is to design a pattern each day and post for you lovely readers to download and use as backgrounds for your blogs, twitter pages, or other social/electro-/inter-media. All I ask is you provide a link back to my blog to let folks know where you got it.

Easy, right?

Today’s pattern is Mod Peacock. Enjoy!

Committed Pattern1: Mod Peacock — Feel free to use this pattern as a background. Link back to http://committedgifts.wordpress.com

Tokyo by Design

Posted on July 19, 2012 by admin

I’m blogging from the road today. Well, more like from the hotel while the kiddo naps. We’ve only been in Tokyo about half a day, but I’m already getting a feel for the place. So far, it’s been easy to navigate, everyone has been exceedingly friendly and helpful, and I was able to get lunch without any common language between myself and the shop! (And no picture menus to boot!)

I really wanted to cover the experience of visiting this city with a toddler, which may happen later, but I was immediately struck by the little design details around the neighborhood. So let’s start there, shall we?

Even the sewer or water drains are pretty.

I really loved the geometric floral pattern on this grate.

This illustration style reminded me of children’s books from the 1960’s. Plus I’m a sucker for graphic illustration and primary colors.

Everything is so cute, even the sides of busses. I don’t know if these kewpies were selling anything or merely decoration, but I had to snap them.

I wish I’d gotten a better pic of this gent. He must have been in his 60s or 70s and was the hippest guy I’ve probably ever seen.

Skinny building. Probably 12 feet wide. I’m noticing a distinct discord in architectural styles and functions.

Our first adventure was to the Institute of Nature Study near Meguro station. It’s a really affordable (300Y) and quiet retreat from the city noise. Its basically a forest with lovely bird calls in the middle of the city. I really wanted to visit the adjacent Teien Art Museum, but it was closed for renovations.

I think this was a stamp for some kind of passport system for kids. Regardless, I thought it was pretty.

Even pork is kawaii! And it’s named after my cat!

I loved these antique packages I saw in the window of a teddy bear shop.

All in all, I have a great feeling about this trip. All the little old ladies love my daughter, and the language barrier isn’t a barrier at all. Like I said, we stopped in a back alley noodle joint for lunch. All I knew to say was “Soba.” We had a delicious cheap messy lunch (still learning how to feed noodles to a toddler with chopsticks). It was 600Y (about $7), and the lady held my daughter while I picked up noodles and paid the check! She even carried her out and helped me set up the stroller for the rain. I don’t know if I’d get the same treatment if I was traveling alone, but I’m grateful that people are so kind to both of us.

So far, so good!