Ruutukuviota

Ruutukuviota is a grid-based motif consisting of regularly spaced square units that form a pattern of intersecting rows and columns. The motif can be a simple uniform grid or take on a checkerboard-like appearance when two or more colors are used. Ruutukuviota is common in textiles, tiling, wallpapers, graphic design, and digital imagery, where it provides a simple, repeating structure.

The technical basis of ruutukuviota is a lattice of perpendicular lines creating equal squares. The scale, color contrast, and line thickness determine the overall impression, from a subtle grid to a bold checker-pattern. Variants may include non-square or irregular grids, though the classic form emphasizes equal squares aligned with horizontal and vertical axes. In digital contexts, it aligns with pixel grids and can be used to simulate or mask textures.

In practice, ruutukuviota serves both aesthetic and functional roles. In fashion and interior decoration it creates rhythm and balance; in flooring and tiling it guides placement and spacing; in graphic design and user interfaces it acts as a background or structural element. The motif also appears in games (checkered boards) and in art as a basic compositional tool. Simple yet versatile, ruutukuviota remains a foundational pattern across cultures and media.

The term is used broadly in Finnish design discourse to describe any regular grid-based motif.