Patternas

Patternas are a concept used in design theory and generative art to describe modular motifs that can be combined to form complex, scalable patterns. A patterna consists of a core motif and a rule set that governs repetition, transformation, and variation, enabling reusable building blocks for visual design.

The term patterna appears in recent discussions of modular design and computational creativity. It is often contrasted with conventional patterns by emphasizing composition from a limited inventory of motifs and explicit transformation rules rather than purely decorative repetition. The word is a blend of 'pattern' with a plural suffix.

Key properties of patternas include modularity, parameterizability, and symmetry compatibility. They can be static or dynamic, and are typically defined in terms of a motif, a neighborhood of placement, and a set of allowed operations such as rotation, reflection, scaling, or color shifts. They support hierarchical assembly.

Patternas are classified into simple, compound, and dynamic categories. Examples range from a simple checker-like patterna to a radial wave patterna and a fractal-inspired patterna. They are used in textiles, architectural ornament, user interfaces, and procedural content generation.

In practice, patternas provide a framework for systematic exploration of visual motifs and their interactions. Critics note that without standardized definitions, applying the concept across disciplines can be ambiguous, underscoring the need for clear documentation of motifs and rules.