Time to get out your set squares people. Although the geometry trend has been around for some time, it appears to be here to stay for the moment. Still gathering momentum in the mainstream amongst designers and artists, it can be seen in print and web, fashion and textiles, fine art, architecture and interior design. A beautiful example of this current wave is shown below; a series of stationery we recently printed Hillsong Church. Their designs always seem to be on trend but this particular example using bright punchy colours and silver blocking caught my eye. It’s young, vibrant and will completely appeal to its intended audience.
Hillsong Geometric Brochure
So, how do we define this trend? Geometry is a branch of mathematics concerned with questions of shape, size, relative position of figures, and the properties of space. Geometric designs and patterns usually contain a mixture of repeating symbols, interlocking lines and shapes, simple or complex symmetry and more often than not, lots of contrast and block colour. Layouts are often mathematically considered or made to appear so and although these ideas reinterpret abstract themes found in modernism and past movements, they generally appear modern and futuristic.
Polish Poster, Geometric Bedding, Geometric Pattern, Laura Carlin Bowl, Perspective Chair, Matthew Williamson Skirt
Geometric patterns have been around for centuries and have origins in the mathematic and scientific world. We don’t need to look very far to see examples of this in mother natures artistry. A bees honeycomb nest, a lotus flower, a nautilus shell, a snowflake, rock formations… the list seems endless. Some happen by chance, some by order. The more we look, the more we notice this symmetry and pattern around us. References to Fibonacci numbers, The Golden Ratio and Phi can all be found in nature and have long been a source of inspiration for creativity and order.
Images from thinkstock
It’s an exciting ‘trend’ although I prefer to think of it as more than this. Geometry is an integral part design theory and so good design and a certain amount of geometry cannot be separated easily. However, it is often said that a good design shouldn’t overshadow content. The geometry behind the layout is often the backbone holding the design together yet subtle enough to go relatively unnoticed. In this current movement, the designers and artists are revealing the structure. The geometry itself becomes the design and takes center stage. This is fascinating and one can analyse how the design has been put together, just like removing the back from a pocket watch to reveal the tiny working parts.
It seems that the design world has embraced this theme more obviously once again and I look forward to seeing many more examples of clever compositions and considered layouts.
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