Motif – JSS3 Cultural & Creative Arts Lesson Note (First Term)

A motif is the basic or smallest unit of a design, repeated several times to form a pattern on paper or fabric.

Behavioural objectives

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

1. state the meaning of motif;
2. name the types of repeat pattern made from motifs;
3. list and describe the types of motif;
4. state the uses of motif.

What is a motif?

A motif is the basic or smallest unit of a design.

• Making: a motif can be made from lines, dots or shapes.
• Use: motifs are used to create patterns on paper and fabric.
• Principle: this use is based on the principle of art and design called repetition.
• Repeating: a motif is repeated several times to form a pattern.

What is repetition in art and design?

Repetition is the use of the same element, such as a motif, line, shape or colour, again and again in a design.

• Effect: it gives a design rhythm and unity.
• Fabric design: pattern makers use repetition more than any other principle.

What is a pattern?

A pattern is an arrangement of regular and repeated motifs.

• Source: the motifs can come from various sources, such as flowers, animals or shapes.
• Surface: a pattern is formed repeatedly on paper, fabric and other surfaces.

What is the difference between a motif and a pattern?

A motif is one unit of design. A pattern is what you get when the motif is repeated.

What are the types of repeat pattern?

There are seven types of repeat pattern: simple, mirror, checkerboard, full drop, half drop, counter change and diamond.

• Simple repeat pattern: the same motif is repeated in rows, facing the same direction, with equal spaces.
• Mirror repeat pattern: the motif is repeated and flipped, so each one is a mirror image of its neighbour.
• Checkerboard repeat pattern: motifs fill alternate squares, like the squares of a chess board.
• Full drop repeat pattern: each motif is placed directly under the one above it, in straight columns.
• Half drop repeat pattern: every second column of motifs is moved down by half the height of a motif.
• Counter change repeat pattern: the colours of the motif and the background are swapped in alternate repeats.
• Diamond repeat pattern: motifs are placed along slanting lines so that they form diamond shapes.

What are the types of motif?

There are nine types of motif: floral, abstract, Persian boteh, rosette, geometric, line, traditional, insect and animal.

1. Floral or flower motif: made from flowers, petals and leaves.
2. Abstract motif: made from simplified or imagined shapes that do not copy real objects exactly.
3. Persian boteh motif: a curved, teardrop-shaped motif that looks like a bent leaf or flame.
4. Rosette designs: petals or shapes arranged in a circle round a centre, like an open flower.
5. Geometric motif: made from shapes such as circles, squares, triangles and diamonds.
6. Line motif: made from straight, curved, zigzag or wavy lines.
7. Traditional motif: taken from the culture of a people, as in Adire cloth and Uli designs.
8. Insect motif: made from insects such as butterflies, bees and beetles.
9. Animal motif: made from animals, birds and fish, such as a tortoise or a bird.

What are the uses of motif?

Motifs are used to build designs on paper, fabric and other objects.

1. Patterns: motif is used for creating patterns on paper and fabric.
2. Borders: motif is used to create a border pattern around the edges of an object.
3. Repeat patterns: motif is used to create the various repeat patterns.

How do you make a simple repeat pattern?

A simple repeat pattern is made by drawing one motif and copying it in equal rows.

1. Choose a subject, such as a leaf, a flower or a shape.
2. Draw one simple motif from lines, dots or shapes.
3. Rule light lines on the paper to make equal spaces.
4. Draw the motif again in each space, in the same direction.
5. Colour every motif in the same way.

Evaluation

1. What is a motif?
2. State two types of motif.
3. Name four types of repeat pattern.
4. State two uses of motif.
5. Which repeat pattern swaps the colours of the motif and the background?

Assignment

Reading assignment

Modern Approach to Cultural and Creative Art by G.F. Ibrahim, Book 3, pages 28-30.

Weekend assignment

1. ……… is the basic unit of a design.
   • A. Motif
   • B. Pattern
   • C. All of the above
   • D. None of the above
2. ……… is an arrangement of regular and repeated motifs from various sources.
   • A. Pattern
   • B. Motif
   • C. None of the above
   • D. All of the above
3. ……… is NOT a type of repeat pattern.
   • A. Simple repeat pattern
   • B. Mirror repeat pattern
   • C. Checkerboard repeat pattern
   • D. Portrait
4. ……… is formed on the fabric repeatedly.
   • A. Motif
   • B. Pattern
   • C. Currency
   • D. None of the above
5. Pattern making is based on the principle of ……… which fabric designers make the most use of.
   • A. repetition
   • B. balance
   • C. dominance
   • D. proportion

Theory

1. Define repetition as a principle of art and design.
2. List two types of motifs.