On a neighbourhood walk, you may observe a variegated leaf, fallen petals strewn on the sidewalk, a spotted cat, the plumage of a bird and the sun casting late-day shadows of tree branches across the lawn. Stepping through a puddle, your damp shoes leave prints of their soles, tracking your return home.

Inside, you remove your shoes on the lattice-embossed floor mat and hang your plaid jacket in the closet. You smooth your gingham shirt and place your backpack on a chair, noticing that its pattern clashes pleasingly with the padded cushion. The living room welcomes you with a woven carpet, pretty wallpaper and a couch upholstered in soft texture. Sitting down to read, you pause to appreciate the endpapers of your book. Putting your feet up on the ottoman covered in vintage fabric, you wiggle your toes, admiring the stripes of your socks. You drape a throw blanket over your lap; it’s a patchwork quilt. You are enveloped in a kaleidoscope of pattern and colour.

Patterns are applied to the surfaces of our daily lives. From fabrics, clothing, papergoods, wallpaper and our furniture, there are many dimensions of surface pattern design. It’s a form of creative expression and personal style, and, as shown in this sixth edition of the UPPERCASE Surface Pattern Design Guide, it can become an encompassing career.