The use of pattern in architecture and design is experiencing a resurgence. From external architectural facades to interior furnishings and finishes, this revival has sparked new interest in the profound effects that patterns can have on the way we feel. In this blog, we explore the fascinating relationship between patterns and our emotions and how, whether consciously or subconsciously, they can influence our psychological state.
Psychologists and neuroscientists have long studied how visual stimuli affect the brain. Patterns, in particular, engage both our conscious and subconscious minds, triggering specific emotional responses. The way our brains process symmetry, repetition, and complexity plays a significant role in how we feel about a particular pattern.
Fractal patterns, which repeat at different scales, are ubiquitous in nature – from the branching of trees to the patterns of coastlines. Research suggests that viewing fractal patterns can reduce stress and increase feelings of relaxation. This is thought to be because these patterns mimic the natural world and, as such, our brains find them inherently soothing.
More intricate, irregular, or chaotic patterns, such as abstract designs can evoke excitement, energy, curiosity, or even anxiety. Complexity can stimulate the mind, making an environment feel dynamic and engaging, or, conversely, for some it can feel overwhelming. Think about the dynamic patterns in abstract art or the unpredictable nature of a bustling city street. While stimulating, these patterns can also feel like too much if they lack any sense of structure.
CULTURAL AND PERSONAL ASSOCIATIONS
Patterns are not just artistic choices. They can be used deliberately in interiors and architecture to evoke specific emotional reactions.
The use of motifs, shapes and symbols, whether used randomly or in an organised way, can inject a much-needed sense of fun and freedom into an interior. Milliken’s latest carpet tile collection Pattern Play has achieved just that. A vast collection of modular options gives designers the freedom to be as creative as they dare with the floorscape.
In exterior architecture, pattern can play an important role in celebrating a culture, heritage or identity. One of this year’s Surface Design award-winners, ‘Sundersea’, a car park in Sunderland’s new urban quarter, features a dynamic wave pattern that reflects the area’s coastal landscape. A bold and welcome statement, in an area experiencing great change, illustrates this point beautifully.
Interior designers are increasingly using patterns to set the mood of a space. Soft, flowing patterns in pastel shades create a sense of relaxation and calm, while biophilic patterns are increasingly used to create a connection to nature and evoke a sense of well-being.
Bold, angular design, particularly in contrasting colours can be used effectively to energise a room, spark creativity and encourage freer thinking.
Clerkenwell - Three Corners and Travelling Line at Mezzan Holdings
The New London Fabulous Movement’s response to dull urban design was a Covid-era clarion call to young creatives to inject some colour and fun onto the capital’s streets. While extreme for some, this joyful celebration of pattern and colour is testament to an uplifting trend towards the use of more playful design that reflects a more diverse cultural landscape.
Patterns are clearly far from being mere decorative elements. They are powerful tools that can influence our emotions in profound ways. By understanding the psychology of patterns and their deeper connection to our emotions, we can harness their potential to create a mood, trigger a response and ultimately support our well-being.
Perhaps it’s time to take a break from the monotony of minimalism and embrace a world the pattern, in all its forms.
(You may also be interested to read our blog: THE TRANSFORMATIONAL POWER OF PATTERN)