What is a pattern?

Patterns are all around us, in nature as well as in art and design.

We see patterns where shapes, lines or colours are repeated. How complicated a pattern is depends on what is repeated and the way in which it is repeated.

Image caption,
Jaguar, Mint Images Limited / Alamy Stock Photo
Image caption,
Cracked earth, moodboard / Alamy Stock Photo
Image caption,
Succulent, Design Pics Inc / Alamy Stock Photo
Image caption,
Water, Design Pics Inc / Alamy Stock Photo