The Pattern Alphabet icons are based on the laws of space and physics, at micro and macro scales, including nature’s core patterns in growth, geometry, and symmetry.

patternABC as a set is the first spatial alphabet, of universal, language-agnostic visual representations of pattern classes and models. It provides a common visual language for humans, including young pre-verbal children, to recognize and communicate what they see in the naturally grown or human-built world around them.

True to spatial communication, gesture is the “spoken/sign” language of patternABC, enabling communication across different spoken languages. Drawing is the “written” form, as opposed to writing the pattern names.

The patternABC was introduced in April 2016 at RISD Design Science and days later at MIT Sandbox Summit at the MIT Media Lab.

The patternABC is the core working group of patterns found in nature at every scale, and grouped into 4 rows — growth, geometry, symmetry, and building blocks. The first iteration was 2015, and today there are 32 visual icons and several more under consideration.

There are many related topics you can explore, and we have provided external links to our partners, research, and projects. Each hyperlink will take you directly to the topic.