Pattern design preference based on symmetry

Abstract

Repetition is one of the design principles employed to create decorative pattern on several products such as textiles, wallpaper,ceramic tiles and gift wraps.  In this study costumer preference of pattern used in decorative textile design is investigated.It is believed that this will be useful for designers and merchandisers who need to analyze public preference for textiles products.However, symmetry is a fundamental aspect of pattern design,design grouping and classification of designs used in research studiesconcerned with pattern preference was based on design elements such as motif style and size.  Therefore, this study is concerned with classifying stimuli used according to symmetry characteristics. This paper investigated the relation between textile design preference and pattern symmetry class of all-over designs using seventeen primary classes of allover patterns developed by Woods, H. J. Two groups of designs were used. In these designs black and white colors were used for background and foreground. These colors were inverted in each group of designs.Most of the subjects employed were found more likely to prefer the designs exhibited (around 40%), 30% of the subjects had neutral response and around 20% disliked the designs shown. The most preferred symmetry classes were characterized by hexagonal or square lattice of highest order of rotation 3 or higher, the generating region is 1/4, 1/6, 1/8 or 1/12 unit.   However, the most disliked symmetry classes were signified by parallelogram, rectangular or rhombic lattice of 1 or 2 highest order of rotation and the generating region is 1/4, 1/2 or 1. There was consistency in subjects' selection in both groups of designs which indicates that the subjects' preference was in sake of pattern symmetry class itself and not highly affected by color distribution.   

Keywords: class; all over; color; triangle; subjective; rank