Define the unit
Choose the smallest meaningful mark or paired form. At this stage, do not hide its boundary.
Technique & Material Lab · flagship Material & Process Explorer
Change the construction rule, not just the decoration.
Build a repeat from a unit, spacing rule, transformation, and process stage. The canvas is a prototype visualization, not documentary media.
Offset dots · digital vector · stage 4 of 4.
Set the repeat cell
Decide the unit’s width, height, and spacing. A repeat is not only the motif; the empty interval is part of the system.
Apply a transformation
Translation is the baseline. Offset, rotation, reflection, and overlap change how neighboring cells relate.
Inspect the consequence
Zoom out. Read seams, density, local centers, larger phrases, and controlled exceptions. Then ask whether the material would preserve the same precision.
Digital vector context
Prototype process note: a vector repeat can preserve identical units and exact spacing, making it useful for isolating geometry before introducing material variation.
Prototype process explanation
Atlas connection: compare these controls against the process note attached to every atlas study. Close-looking connection: return to Close-Looking Mode and test whether you can still locate the repeat cell after your changes.