Where do we see patterns? And who uses them?

Have you noticed the patterns in the snow lately? The staggered footprints turning every which way, defined by our walk patterns.

Patterns are something artists often use in their creations, but everyone else uses them too – it's part of what makes us human. Patterns are not just something visible – they can be found throughout everything in existence. It can be found in the way the seasons change, the way waves break on the beach, the hours we sleep/wake, or how our hair grows. From the way we organize neighborhood streets - block by block, to how we use speech to communicate with other people. There are patterns that flow through us, and it’s also how we have come to understand everything around us, and create a sense of recognizable order in our lives.

In artistic illustration, home interiors or fashion, patterns consist of a combination of designs that have been repeated through time, recorded and then continued both by hand or machine in an orderly way… Think wallpaper designs, floor tiling, or a pretty dress made from fabric covered in florals. Designs are considered to have patterns in them when they have a degree of repetition, rhythm and balance. :)

Consider taking time to slow down today and observe how many patterns you see in your surroundings, indoors or outdoors. You might be surprised!