Card Design – Repetition

Written by Waffle Flower product designer JJ Bolton

Here at Waffle Flower, we’re cardmakers just like you and we face the same design dilemmas. This month, we’re discussing some card design tips and tricks that help us when we’re stuck.  The card design topic today is the concept of visual repetition. Repeated forms and shapes have always been common in design because the human eye is naturally drawn to pattern. Depending on how you use it, repeated elements can become a focal point or a supporting element.     

This first card from Arjita demonstrates one of the most popular ways to use repeated elements with geometric shapes. Her concentric circle die cuts pack a punch with bright colors and repetition. Arjita used the concentric circle die from the Cutlines Die set, but any geometric shape or multiple shapes works for this look!

--Supplies--
Cutlines Die (concentric circle die)
Oversized Miss Combo
A2 Lacy Layers Die (stitched edge detail)

For the next card, Rachel uses repetition with multiples of an element, a layered die cut flower. At first glance, your eye is quickly drawn to the repetition of the flower shapes. Rachel breaks up the repeated elements by adding rainbow colors! The overall effect is gorgeous!

--Supplies--
Layered Flowers Die
Triple Line Foil Plate (embossed background)
Oversized Happy Combo
Enamel Dots - JJ's Rainbow

For this last card, Rachel uses repeated elements again, but as a background instead. Her background is made by layering the same scalloped edge die cut from the Designer Template 1 Set. By keeping all the die cuts white, it creates a background that enhances the focal point flowers (Daffodil) but does not compete with it.

--Supplies--
Designer Template 1 Die (scalloped edges)
Daffodil Combo
Simply Said I Combo ("hugs")

We love this technique because it’s so simple but can have a big impact! What else do you like to use as a repeated element in your cards?