Flower Palette - Plumeria

 

I recently had the pleasure of spending time in Maui with my family. It’s a beautiful place as you can imagine, rugged, captivating, and awe-inspiring.

I have a color download for you below but couldn’t pass up showing some photos from the trip. Let me know in the comments if you have been to the Hawaiian islands. We only visited Maui.

At one Airbnb, the porch was covered with dozens of nearly perfect Plumeria blossoms. They had fallen gently to the ground, creating a surface designers dream underfoot.

I’ll be working on a pattern from these and have created a palette from my image. I am attaching my palette here as an instant color swatch download. Upload it to your swatch panel in PS, AI, or Procreate for some island inspiration!

Do you have a minute? Take a moment to relax, breathe, and reconnect with yourself. Watching and listening to the ocean waves always helps me find peace. The vastness of the sea, combined with the gentle rhythm that mirrors my breath, reminds me that I am part of something greater—I belong to the earth. Turn up your sound and join me in watching the waves.

I take a lot of these short videos. Do you breathe deeper when you watch the ocean? I do. This encompasses an aspect of biophilic design that I discussed in my last blog post. Just simply viewing the natural world soothes our bodies.

Aloha, Friend

 

CHECK OUT SOME OF MY OTHER DOWNLOADS.

Look for 5 Tips for Watercolor Pattern Design and try out a Plaid Tutorial both found in previous posts.

Join my newsletter to access downloads FIRST. Enjoy!

 
 

What to know about the Biophilic Trend

 

What is Biophilic Design and why is it growing in importance?

Biophilic design principles play a crucial role in enhancing the well-being of anyone who spends a significant amount of time indoors, such as students, patients, office workers, and homebodies (like artists who work at a computer!).

The term Biophilic relates to the association between humans and the nature we are closely connected with.

Surprise! it seems that we are impacted in so many ways just by seeing images of nature.

By integrating natural elements into interior spaces, biophilic design promotes a healthier and more enjoyable environment.

Here’s how different groups benefit:

  1. Students: Have you ever taken a class in an interior room or lecture hall with no windows? The sound of the AC lulls you to sleep, the dim lighting is difficult on the eyes, the overall feeling is disconnection.

    • Improved Concentration and Learning: Exposure to natural elements can boost cognitive function and attention. Classrooms designed with biophilic principles can help students focus better and retain information more effectively.

    • Reduced Stress: Natural light, plants, and natural views reduce stress and anxiety, creating a more conducive environment for learning.

  2. Patients: In a two patient room, one person gets a window, the other gets a curtain, possibly a door to an inner corridor, lots of wiring. Who is going to rest more effectively?

    • Enhanced Healing and Recovery: Natural views, greenery, and sunlight in healthcare environments have been shown to accelerate healing, reduce pain, and shorten hospital stays.

    • Increased Comfort and Well-being: A connection to nature can alleviate stress and anxiety, leading to a more positive experience for patients and their families.

  3. Office Workers: Interior rooms create focus until you have been there too long for the task at hand. It feels like everyone is in a box, and that is exactly what it is. Have you ever witnessed the explosion of a group exiting a conference room?

    • Boosted Productivity and Creativity: Incorporating natural elements like plants, water features, and natural light in office spaces can enhance productivity, creativity, and overall job satisfaction.

    • Reduced Absenteeism: A healthier work environment with biophilic design can lead to fewer sick days and lower rates of absenteeism.

  4. Homebodies: Hopefully you don’t work in a windowless room in a home, or perhaps a basement with a sliver of window.

    • Improved Mental Health: For individuals who spend a lot of time at home, biophilic design can reduce feelings of isolation, depression, and anxiety by creating a more uplifting and connected environment.

    • Enhanced Comfort and Relaxation: Natural elements in the home promote relaxation and a sense of peace, making living spaces more enjoyable and comforting.

The amazing thing is that by integrating biophilic design principles, indoor environments can be transformed into healthier, more productive, more enjoyable spaces for everyone.

What does that mean for Surface Pattern Designers and Makers? More leaves and flowers, LOL!

Learn 10 ways to incorporate Biophilic Design Principles into your work with this PDF guide and share the profound benefits that make a real difference in our daily lives.

 
 

Flower palette

 

There is a thriving Clematis plant just outside my front porch. It has grown into the most prolific plant, sprouting flowers by the bunch.

I’ve been enjoying it’s progress and have created a palette from the array of greens, pinks, pale greys, and off-whites. Some of my vector florals and geometrics are now recolored using this palette.

The palette has a vintage - sipping tea on the veranda on a warm summer afternoon - vibe. Download the .ASE swatch file linked HERE. Upload it to your Adobe Illustrator swatches to try the palette out in your designs for a similar romantic summery vibe.

Not sure how to access an .ASE file? Click the link to automatically download the file.

  • Open a file in Adobe Illustrator, open swatches (Window - Swatches),

  • Click on the book icon at the bottom left of the swatches window.

  • Select Other Library, go to your downloads folder and select the Clematis-Flower-Palette-10 file.

  • Click on the folder icon and the entire palette will now be in your swatch window ready to use.

Tag me on Instagram @janethilddesign if you use the palette and I’ll share your designs in my stories. I’d love your feedback on this palette and download. Leave a comment here in the blog!

 

Check out some of my other downloads too.

Look for 5 Tips for Watercolor Pattern Design in my last blog post and try out a Plaid Tutorial in a previous post. Enjoy!