A Year in Pattern

In 2022 I read about a historical system of Japanese seasons that divides each of the four main seasons into six (called sekki). Each sekki is further split into three microseasons (called kō). That’s a whopping 72 seasons per year. The microseasons (each only a few days long) have fabulous names based on nature observations: the perfect prompts for new patterns.

What about colours though? After weeks of research I found a tiny book, originally published in the 1930s, detailing 72 colour palettes inspired by seasonal images of Japan. The forward says “We hope that this book will bring color to its reader’s daily life, and prove useful in all kinds of creative situations.” Bingo!

72 kō + 72 palettes = 72 design briefs.

So that’s what I have been working on: a year in pattern. It’s been an amazing challenge, the subjects and colours often pushing me well outside my comfort zone.

I have collected all of the designs into four perpetual dot grid pattern journals. For me it’s a tangible record of my project and a handy portfolio. For you perhaps it’s a home for your nature observations, a journal, a place to note birthdays, or just a coffee table talking point.

I have also selected some of my favourite pattern combinations to create luxuriously textured cotton linen tea towels, with more innovative products to follow in 2025.