Once a designer asked me whether we should present unified reading experiences to readers or we should break through the existing rules. My answers to her were long forgotten, but now I want to answer this question sincerely here.

In the past, designers were trying hard to achieve dazzling visual effects, which was surely an interesting process. However, with a computer and software, visual effects can be done effortlessly. What we need to do is to escape from the role of being a graphic designer, or broaden it. That is to say, we need to push every boundary and make everything possible in design. Fixed styles are no longer what we want, but changes are. In this way, a designer is not only a craftsman or a teller of visual stories, but also an information constructor, a communication strategist, a director, an actor, or even a philosopher. To explore the changing roles of a graphic designer, we manage to give you a brand new design experience in this issue.

In this issue, we present to you a visual element. It spreads information easily, yet never goes out of date. It is a classic element in design, but it never restrains creativity, freedom or innovation. It is PATTERN. To explore the limits of design, we start our journey from rules and regulations. And we found that basic geometric patterns, irregular patterns, or any other patterns are all reflecting innovation and passion. Isn’t this inspiring? Even rules and regulations can never become the barriers of creativity, would you still think that rules are needed in design?

COVER DESIGN INSPIRED BY STUDIO ANONYMOUS' PATTERN DESIGN OF TABI SOCKS