Students, designers, and craftspeople who want to create their own abstract patterns and designs will find this profusely illustrated guide one of the best books available on the subject. After an introductory chapter dealing with the geometric basis of design, the author goes on to discuss implements and their use (T-square, compass, dividers, ruling pen, etc.), borders, textile patterns, nature study, and treatment.Over 380 illustrations include many diagrams, designs for title pages, border patterns, allover patterns, textile patterns, and historical examples from an extraordinary number of cultures and periods: Assyrian stone carvings, Greek and Roman jewelry, 18th-century English silverwork, and more. Thorough and comprehensive, Abstract Design and How to Create It will be an invaluable resource for anyone seeking to learn the principles and techniques of creating nonrepresentative designs.

NOTE OF ACKNOWLEDGMENTILLUSTRATIONSI INTRODUCTORY Object of book Early essays in design Licence and restraint Early obsession as to originality Invention versus arrangement The geometric basis Geometric influence in patternII IMPLEMENTS AND THEIR USE Methodical procedure Geometrical drawing "Implements, the T-square" The set-square Use of the 45° set-square In defining mitres In dividing surfaces In formation of the octagon Use of the 60° set-square In formation of the triangle The hexagon The diamond pattern The hexagonal net Mitral angles Of hexagons and octagons Of the trefoil and quatrefoil Of concentric curves meeting parallel straight lines Borders of circular and elliptic shapes Flexed curves Measurement and division of lines The dividers Division by trial Division by bi-section Method of division of a line into any number of equal parts The compass Spring bows The large adjustable compass Pencil and pen The ruling-pen Drawing ink Tracing-paper and its employment Rubbing down a design Transfer-paper Transferring a design The transfer-pointIII. THE TREATMENT OF THE BORDER Appreciation and historical employment Use of the border Structural suggestion Analogous to mouldings Enrichment of mouldings Treatment The unit Modification at angles Continuous patterns The key or fret The evolute The undulate Consistency in growth suggesion Bi-symmetrical treatment Accentuation of corners Freely arranged growth Material for design Typographical examples Lettering Subsidiary borders Spacing of lines The undulate line Conjectural origin Influence of material Early jewellery and pottery Wrought iron Influence of tools Wood carving The gouge Thimble pattern in Jacobean wood-carving English Renaisance treatment of mouldings Old work Early craftsmen and tradition The professional designer Division of labour Infraction of craft limitations Imitation Greek anthemion ornament Painted and carved Influence on later ornament Technical influence in cross-stitch embroidery Details of borders The fret ornament Procedure Progressive patterns of borders in which the 45° set -square is employed in conjunction with horizontal and vertical lines Description Illustrations Patterns result of 60° set-square Description Illustrations Patterns in which both set-squares are employed Description Illustrations Patterns formed of segments of circles Description Illustrations Combinations of curved and straight lines Description Illustrations Patterns on the undulate line Description IllustrationsIV. TEXTILE PATTERNS Repetition Interest of surface Plaiting and weaving Juxtaposition of lines Importance of straight line The unit Geometric basis The Rectangular and diamond plans The drop pattern The diaper pattern Patterns based on squares Lattice or trellis patterns Pattern composed of arcs of circles Pattern composed of arc of circles and straight lines Fret patterns Moresque pattern Counter-change pattern Patterns based on the octagon Counter-change pattern Arabian all-over Patterns based on the hexagon Patterns based on circles Patterns based on circles Persian pattern based on circles Sicilian pattern based on circles "Types of pattern common to textiles, woven and printed" The all-over The net pattern The scale pattern The stripe Sprig and spot patterns The trellis Border designs arraned as all-overs Treatment in designs for tapestry Designs for hangings Designs for wall-papers Chinese papers Block and roller printing Opaque nd transparent colour Over-printing Description of textile patterns IllustrationsV. NATURE STUDY AND TREATMENT Object of Nature study Selection and treatment Setting up the subject Record of growth and development Consistency to growth and type Use of studies Conventional renderings Elimination and simplification Process consideration Use of colour Self-colour Harmony Primary and complementary colour Treatment of colour scheme Opaque colours Drawing for reproduction Designs for book decoration Line and half-tone blocks Method of enlargement Diagonal method Indicating required reduction Thickening of lines Cross-hatchingPOSTSCRIPT Hand-loom weaving "Needlework, cross-stitch embroidery" Sampler Swedish peasant weaving Example of Arabian design and workmanship