Materials and Process

• Computer with monitor
• Digital imaging
• Adobe Illustrator cs

1. Again, I used the computer to create a design digitally. First, I made a dark blue square, next a proportionately smaller light blue square on the inside.
2. After that, I made another dark blue square, and after that, another light blue square, and lastly a dark blue square.
3. Then I duplicated the square three more times, placing one next to the original and two beneath it.
4. Next, I created two dark blue bars to connect the small dark squares next to one another.
5. Then I made bars to connect all four of the large light blue squares to one another. 6. After that I duplicated the entire set three more times and spaced it evenly to create a larger pattern.
6. The last thing I did was to create a thin dark blue border to contain my pattern.

Artist's Narrative

The main inspiration behind this design was to create something that clearly illustrates a basic interlaced pattern. I wanted it to be simple because some of my work in general has been getting complex and I just wanted to start simplifying my designs. The color choice in the design was an early decision to make because blue is my favorite color and I try and use it whenever I can.

Teacher's Comment

Each square unit is composed of five nested squares; four such units are combined to form a single large tile that is symmetrical by both horizontal and vertical reflection. Visually, the large tiles are repeated four times. Because of the blue connecting lines, these tiles do not exhibit rotational symmetry.

This relationship of tiles, and the way they are used to cover the plane is familiar in Islamic art in the decoration of architectural monuments with square ceramic tiles. Examples may be seen in monuments from Spain and North Africa to Turkey, Iran and Uzbekistan, and from the 8th century to a peak of production in 16th century Ottoman Turkey.