Patterns

I've been thinking a lot about patterns lately and their ability to liven up clean clean swiss swiss design. Generally I avoid cluttered, decorative design and patterns have, most often, until now fallen into that category. I've been paying attention to the way patterns can enhance otherwise clean designs. In a pattern the combination of different elements of art/design come together to impart a mood or a vibe to a design.
This cover for a book of poetry (from The Daily Heller 10.27.10 / Vintage Irish Graphic Design) looks upbeat and lighthearted because the pattern uses bright colors, "fast-moving" lines and floating bubbles. It's a pattern like this that I imagine using amongst other type, illustration or photography to enhance the overall feel of a design.