l'atelier

Every so often (though probably not on a set schedule) I will post free downloads of vector design motifs, patterns, borders, taken from decorative arts sources of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Some of the designers represented: Rene Beauclaire, Christoper Dresser, Eugene Grasset, Owen Jones, William Morris, Auguste Racinet, Maurice Pillard Verneuil. Charles F.A. Voysey, as well as lesser-known designers.

Designs are ‘hand’ traced and in full color. The plates used as the tracing source have faded so the colors may not be an exact match to the original. Colors are rendered in RGB mode which provides the widest gamut for the closest match. Files are fully customizable (colors, proportions, shapes, etc.) using Illustrator. As vector drawings, the designs are fully scalable so they can be adapted for use in websites or for print. Color rendering can be changed to CMYK if needed for printing.

Files are available in Illustrator .ai format (including pattern swatches and pattern border brushes). Non-repeatable motifs are also available in .eps format.

These free examples are part of larger collections that can be purchased. The catalogue of currently available collections can be found in the Marketplace (in the right sidebar).

Both the Marketplace and the collection of free samples is growing, so bookmark this page.

Enjoy!

Sample vector motifs from Studies in Design, Christoper Dresser (1834-1904):

Download Illustrator (.ai) files (dresser_motif009f_ai.zip)

Download .eps files (dresser_motif009f_eps.zip)

Purchase 40 motifs from Studies in Design – $11.00

Now available: 25 custom pattern swatches for Illustrator: from Christopher Dresser, Studies in Design — $11.00 USD Purchase Now

These are the 25 pattern swatches from Studies in Design by Christopter Dresser (1834-1904). The plates were “hand” traced in Adobe Illustrator CS3 (as opposed to
using “Live Trace”) and converted to seamless pattern swatches that can be used with Adobe Illustrator. The colors are close to the original, though the plates were faded, thus colors may be somewhat muted, compared to the original.

These designs are representative of the Aesthetic through the early Art Deco styles. Dresser’s use of botanical forms dominate this collection–many are detailed and highly decorative.

These swatches are customizable (see below) so experiment with different colorways and in combination with linear pattern borders or motifs, also from Dresser’s Studies in Design.

For more information concerning installation and use, please see the online version of the “read-me” file.

To view pattern detail, roll the mouse over the thumbnail.

Now available: 40 motifs for Illustrator: from Christopher Dresser, Studies in Design — $11.00 USD Purchase Now

Included are the 40 motifs from Studies in Design by Christopter Dresser (1834-1904). The plates were hand traced in Adobe Illustrator CS3 (as opposed to using Live Trace) that can be used with Illustrator or imported into other vector drawing software. The colors are close to the original, though the plates were faded, thus colors are probably somewhat muted, compared to the original.

These designs are representative of the Aesthetic through the early Art Deco styles. Botanical and fantastical animal forms dominate this collection–many are highly decorative alone or when used in combination with each other or with Dresser linear border brushes.

These motifs are customizable (see below) so experiment with different combinations and colorways.

For more information concerning installation and use, please see the online version of the “read-me” file.