Pattern collection inspired by the movie Xanadu and the roller disco culture of the 1970s and 80s. This set most closely reminds me of my own days spent at the local roller rink. Motifs include skates, stars, streamers, disco balls, and rainbow waves. Teenage me would have totally rocked this jacket. Pattern Design | Spring 2020 | Jamie Runnells  

This collection of wild and vibrant patterns was inspired by the fun and funky fashion of Xanadu and the bold, energetic aesthetic of 1980s roller disco culture. Drawing from the film’s retro-futuristic neon glow, flowing fabrics, and dynamic movement, I aimed to capture the spirit of an era where music, art, and fashion collided—embracing the carefree fun, confidence, and unapologetic charm of kitsch. Kitsch (noun): Art, design, or objects that are considered tacky, gaudy, or overly sentimental, yet often appreciated for their nostalgic, playful, or ironic charm. It is characterized by bold colors, exaggerated forms, and a lack of subtlety, [...]

For the final assignment in my Pattern Design class, we were tasked with creating a ‘culture collection’—a pattern inspired by a film, TV series, novel, album, or other cultural reference. Naturally, I chose one of my favorite films: the 1980s cult classic Xanadu as my inspiration. A dazzling fusion of roller disco, Greek mythology, and neon-soaked aesthetics, Xanadu is a visual and musical spectacle that perfectly captures the era’s bold energy. I became so immersed in the creative process that instead of designing just three patterns, I ended up developing three full collections—each drawing from different visual elements of the [...]

Daruma dolls are traditional Japanese dolls that symbolize perseverance and good luck. The dolls come with blank eyes that you fill in. You draw in one eye when you make a wish or set a goal, and then fill in the other eye once that wish or goal has come true. I first encountered Daruma dolls when I visited Japan in 2015 and loved their quirky appearance so working on this project was really fun. I drew this little guy in Adobe Illustrator and created several color variations for a fun and fresh contemporary look. Pattern Design | Spring 2020 [...]

My first pattern collection! For this project, I was directed to create a series of circle, square, and line motifs. This provided a great opportunity to experiment with mark-making. I created marks both by hand and digitally with Procreate, Illustrator, and Photoshop. Ultimately my favorite marks were the ones I created by hand using paint, charcoal, and ink. Pattern Design | Spring 2020 | Jamie Runnells