kuviot

Kuviot is a Finnish noun referring to patterns, designs, shapes, or motifs. It is the plural form of kuvio, and in English is often translated as patterns or motifs. The term covers arrangements of lines, colors, and figures that recur or co-occur to form a decorative or descriptive unit, whether in visual art, textiles, ceramics, or architecture.

The word kuvio derives from the Finnish root kuvi- indicating a figure or shape; the form reflects a conceptual link between geometry and decoration in Finnish language and design discourse.

In practice, kuviot describe both everyday decorative patterns, such as fabric prints or tile motifs, and more abstract patterns studied in pattern design or graphic composition. The term is widely used by designers, historians, and educators when discussing motif development, repetition, symmetry, and variation.

Finnish craft and design traditions feature kuviot in weaving, wood carving, and ceramics, reflecting a long-standing emphasis on clarity, geometry, and natural forms. In modern contexts, the concept remains central to textile design, wallpaper, digital graphics, and architectural ornament.