About This Class 

Welcome to Your Surface Pattern Design Journey

Hi there, and welcome to the Affinity Designer Surface Pattern Design Masterclass! Whether you're continuing from the Foundations class or starting fresh, you're in for an exciting creative adventure. Today, we’re jumping straight into crafting a pattern from scratch—don’t worry, it’s fun, approachable, and totally beginner-friendly. I love hands-on projects that teach you the fundamentals in the most enjoyable way possible.

If you completed this class in Foundations, you can skip ahead!

Imagine this: in no time at all, you’ll be creating stunning patterns right from the comfort of your couch using nothing but your iPad and Affinity Designer. This powerful, all-in-one software brings together the robust features of vector editing like Adobe Illustrator and the artistic freedom of raster tools similar to Procreate—all without the hefty subscription price tag. It’s a game-changer, and I can’t wait to show you how to unlock it.

By the end of today’s session, you’ll have a fully functional checkered repeat pattern ready to showcase on platforms like Spoonflower or Society6. Even better, the techniques you learn in this class will become the foundation for dozens of future projects—your personal creative toolkit that you’ll draw from again and again.

Here’s What We’ll Cover in Today’s Class:

We’ll break everything down step-by-step, answering key questions along the way. For example:

• How do I navigate the basics of the app and set up my document?
• How do I stay organized while working with layers?
• How do I use Affinity’s tools to create and refine vector shapes?
• What’s the trick to pattern repetition, and how do I make it seamless?

If you’re a visual artist or designer of any kind—illustrator, graphic designer, digital artist, or content creator—this class was made with you in mind. It’s especially perfect if you’re looking for top-tier design capabilities without the commitment to pricey subscriptions.

We’ll cover the fundamentals like:

• The ins and outs of working with vector shapes (and how to convert them into curves for further editing).
• Using clipping masks and compound shapes to build complex designs.
• Exploring symbols to create repeat patterns in real time.
• Adjusting colors and refining intricate pattern layouts.
• Exporting your artwork and testing it out using mockups!

Plus, I’ll share my tried-and-true organizational tips to keep your workflow smooth and frustration-free—an often-overlooked but vital skill for digital artists.

What Makes This Class Special?

This isn’t just about technical know-how—it’s about tapping into your creativity and learning how to transform your ideas into professional-grade patterns. My project-based method ensures that you’ll be practicing skills as you learn them, so by the time you complete today’s class, you’ll already be applying these ideas with confidence.

Let’s dive into the lessons:

Lesson 1: The Gallery and Setting Up a New Document

From setting up your first document to organizing your workspace, this lesson is all about laying the foundation. I’ll walk you through managing your projects with stacks, customizing your presets, and streamlining everything so you’re ready to jump into designing.

Lesson 2: Understanding Basic Tools and Studios

Affinity Designer’s tools (called “Studios,” not "palettes") are your new best friends. We’ll demystify them, focusing only on the ones you need right now to get started. No overwhelm, just the essentials to bring your designs to life.

Lesson 3: Using Vector Shapes and Adjusting

Discover how to use simple shapes as a launchpad for creativity. By tweaking their settings and expanding them into curves, you’ll unlock endless design possibilities for creating unique motifs and building your pattern. It’s intuitive and oh-so rewarding!

Lesson 4: Adding Interest Using the Pencil Tool

Let’s add some flair to your checkerboard pattern! Using the pencil tool, I’ll show you how to divide your shapes with colorful strokes or layer in additional forms to create compelling visuals. You’ll also get comfy using clipping paths—an essential tool for any vector-based design process.

Lesson 5: Using Various Tools to Create Alternates

Pattern creation isn’t just about shapes—it’s about style. I’ll guide you through fine-tuning color palettes and experimenting with design elements. By the end, you’ll be thinking less like a beginner and more like a seasoned designer.

Lesson 6: Templates and Exporting and Testing

It’s time to bring it all together! This lesson is all about final touches—how to save reusable templates, export your work, and test your pattern on mockups. The satisfaction of seeing your art come to life is unmatched.

Lesson 7: Wrap-Up and Next Steps

As we close out the class, I encourage you to celebrate your progress and keep building on your new skills. I’ll share how I use mockups in my own work and point you toward resources for deeper exploration. Don’t forget—practice is the secret to mastery. Revisit these fundamentals and let your imagination run wild!

Project Description

Learning a vector program can be a delightful journey, especially when you take it step by step with my guidance! Let's embark on creating this enchanting Repeat pattern together. Begin by setting up a checkered background, and let's dive into the lessons at your own comfortable pace. I'll walk you through duplicating, combining, and flipping shapes, and we'll add colors and adjusting them to be aesthetically appealing.

As you progress to the next phase, have fun experimenting with the array of shapes this program offers. I'll demonstrate how you can tweak these shapes to craft a wide variety of charming flowers, converting into curves as you go. Gradually, you'll familiarize yourself with many hidden and sometimes mysterious settings as you learn the lingo, and I encourage you to explore as many variables as you can while working on this project.

Remember, the journey of learning this software can be both enriching and enjoyable. Each step you take brings you closer to mastering it. Immerse yourself in the process, and let's have a blast bringing your ideas to life! I truly believe that as you engage with this project, not only will you have fun, but you'll also build a strong foundation for exploring the plethora of classes available at Delores Art School of Illustration and Design. Keep up the fantastic work, and let your creativity shine!



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 Deloresart - Delores Naskrent and Teacher Delores Naskrent for tons of resources for artists! Find me at deloresartcanada on both Instagram and Facebook and join my mailing list on my store site at deloresart.ca!

Also check out my Artist Resources:

https://www.deloresart.ca/collections/artist-resource