New Fall Surface Pattern Design Collection Update

Written By Shabya Reid

Autumn on my mind…

September is here and autumn is on her way. I live in the mountains, so fall comes early here. The leaves on the trees are starting to change already and the grass is growing slower. With change comes a sort of newness and I’ve been coming up with some fall ideas for my next pattern collection. I’m thinking outside of the box and going BOLD and unexpected!!! My new pattern design collection will blend my love of modern, clean, abstract design with bold autumn colors, modern florals, and African geometric influences. Take a look below at my concept ideas:

🍂 Collection Title Ideas

  • “Autumn Rhythms” – highlighting movement, geometry, and the seasonal palette

  • “Floral Harvest Geometry” – blending organic abundance with structured design

  • “Modern Mud & Bloom” – nod to African mud cloth + florals

  • “Echoes of Fall” – abstract, timeless, and seasonal

  • “Sunset Geometry” – inspired by bold horizons and color-blocked motifs

  • “Flora & Form” – balance between natural shapes and clean abstraction

🎨 Color Palette Ideas

Think rich, saturated hues with contrast:

  • Burnt orange, saffron yellow, deep rust

  • Mustard, terracotta, oxblood, olive

  • Plum, magenta, ochre, espresso

  • Accents: teal, indigo, or chartreuse for contrast

  • Neutrals: cream, charcoal, soft clay

🧩 Pattern Theme Ideas

These can be a mix of repeating patterns, standalone motifs, or coordinates.

1. Abstract Leaves & Pods

  • Bold, oversized leaf silhouettes with minimal detailing

  • Stylized seed pods or acorns with linear or dotted texture

  • Mix flat color blocks with sketchy geometric overlays

2. Geometric Flora

  • Florals reduced to abstract shapes (think Bauhaus meets botanical)

  • Circular petals, blocky stems, grid-based leaf patterns

  • Use symmetry + color blocking for visual punch

3. Tribal Textures

  • Inspired by African mudcloth, Kuba cloth, or Ndebele wall patterns

  • Hand-drawn lines, dots, and chevrons with a fall color twist

  • Repeat patterns using half-drop or stripe formats

4. Harvest Grid

  • Abstract fruits or vegetables (squash, gourds, corn, figs) as geometric icons

  • Each in a grid or scattered repeat, simplified to bold, blocky shapes

  • Add crosshatch or line detailing for texture

5. Equinox Arches

  • Use concentric arches, circles, or sun motifs to symbolize the seasonal shift

  • Combine with earth textures or foliage overlays

  • Abstract "sunset horizon" vibes in deep warm hues

6. Linear Landscapes

  • Modern, minimalist landscapes with layered shapes

  • Rolling hills in ochres and reds, sky in plum or navy

  • Incorporate African pattern overlays or silhouetted trees

7. Woven Geometry

  • Simulate woven textures or basketry through repeating rectangles or line patterns

  • Great for coordinates or background textures

8. Autumn Geometry

  • Concept: Fuse clean African-inspired geometric motifs (triangles, zigzags, diamonds, concentric lines) with a fall palette.

  • Palette: Burnt orange, deep ochre, olive green, terracotta, espresso brown, muted gold.

  • Style: Minimal but rhythmic—think repeating motifs with crisp lines softened by textured overlays.

  • Applications: Upholstery fabric, wallpaper, stationery.

9. Bold Botanicals

  • Concept: Modern florals inspired by African wax prints, but pared down with abstract, simplified silhouettes.

  • Palette: Marigold, deep wine red, mustard, black accents, with pops of teal or turquoise for freshness.

  • Style: Large-scale flowers or leaves rendered in blocky shapes, layered over geometric backdrops.

  • Applications: Fashion textiles, scarves, throw pillows.

10. Abstract Harvest

  • Concept: Capture the shapes of fall harvest (pumpkins, gourds, seed pods, grains) but abstract them into minimal, almost symbol-like forms.

  • Palette: Pumpkin orange, clay, moss, aubergine, muted blush.

  • Style: Clean, repeated forms with negative space playing a big role; think contemporary tribal marks combined with autumn references.

  • Applications: Kitchen textiles, ceramics, wrapping paper.

11. Tribal Brushstrokes

  • Concept: Hand-painted brushstrokes inspired by African mud cloth, reimagined with modern symmetry and autumn tones.

  • Palette: Rust, cream, charcoal, goldenrod, sage.

  • Style: Imperfect marks with a rhythmic, modern flow; layer with flat floral silhouettes for depth.

  • Applications: Rugs, wall art prints, handbags.

12. Geometric Florals

  • Concept: Merge floral outlines with geometric grids—florals simplified into angular, blocky forms.

  • Palette: Warm crimson, saffron, cocoa, and muted indigo for contrast.

  • Style: Crisp yet organic; florals broken down into repeating tessellations.

  • Applications: Tech accessories, activewear, journals.

13. Sunset Abstracts

  • Concept: Abstract landscapes inspired by African horizons at dusk, tied to autumn skies.

  • Palette: Gradient oranges, dusty pinks, auburn, deep violet, charcoal.

  • Style: Large color-blocked shapes with minimalist detailing; sun motifs and arcs could tie in.

  • Applications: Bedding, wall murals, scarves.

Now put it all together and here’s my inspired mood board:

Fall Pattern Collection Mood Board by Shabya Reid Art

🎨 Motif / Pattern Names

Hero Prints (large-scale, bold patterns)

  • “Savanna Bloom” – modern florals inspired by African wax print energy

  • “Harvest Horizon” – abstract landscape shapes with fall hues

  • “Golden Geometry” – tessellated geometrics in autumn ochres and rust

Secondary Prints (mid-scale supporting patterns)

  • “Mud Rhythm” – clean mud cloth–inspired brush marks

  • “Tribal Orchard” – geometric motifs layered with abstract fruit/seed shapes

  • “Rust & Petal” – stylized florals in repeating grids

Texture / Blender Prints (smaller, background-friendly)

  • “Echo Dots” – rhythmic dotted marks

  • “Grainline” – fine linear textures referencing harvest fields

  • “Autumn Crossroads” – intersecting linework with African-inspired rhythm

🔁 Pattern Layout Suggestions

✨ A cohesive collection could include:

  • Hero Prints: Bold, large-scale geometric floral or harvest-inspired patterns.

  • Secondary Prints: Smaller-scale mud cloth or grid-based geometrics.

  • Texture/Blender Prints: Abstract brushstrokes, dots, or subtle woven effects in autumn hues.

Mix and match:

  • Bold feature prints with high contrast and scale

  • Secondary prints with smaller motifs or tighter repeats

  • Blender prints with subtle textures or linear patterns

🧵 Optional: Add Depth with Texture

To keep the clean style but avoid flatness, consider:

  • Using hand-drawn textures subtly layered under solids

  • Mix of vector sharpness and a touch of organic, imperfect lines

  • Grainy shading or subtle brushwork

In summary, autumn doesn’t have to be about leaves, trees, orange and brown. But by thinking outside of the box a little, you can still incorporate autumn shapes with a different approach to color. Or autumn colors with unique shapes. That’s what being an artist is all about. There are no rules. Just have fun and do what makes you happy. You may just make others happy too.

Happy designing! xoxo

Shabya Reid
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