Tessellation Project

1. Tessellation Project Today we will discuss the requirements and expectations for your Tessellation projects and you will receive a brief introduction to the different types of tessellations. This is an individual project.

2. Tessellation Project • Maurits Cornelis Escher (1898 – 1972) was a Dutch artist famous for his repetitive, interlocking pattern. His works look like paintings but were done by woodcarving and lithographs. • Escher’s designs are made from variations on tiling patterns called tessellations. A floor covered by square tiles is an example of a tessellation of squares.

3. Tessellations & Transformations Tessellations can be modified by using transformations. As you know, transformations are movements of geometric figures. One transformation, commonly used to create tessellations is a slide, or translation, of a figure.

4. Translation Tessellations For simple translation tessellations, polygons should have opposite sides that are parallel and congruent – squares, hexagons, parallelograms.

5. Example: Translation Tessellation You can create more complex designs starting with square tessellations and making changes on both pairs of sides.

6. Depending how you decide to color your tessellation, a very simple design can have a very creative result.

7. Glide Reflection Tessellation For glide reflection tessellations, polygons should have opposite sides that are parallel and congruent – squares, hexagons, parallelograms.

8. Example By reflecting and gliding over more than one side, you can create a more complex tessellation.

9. Adding coloring and features will enhance the artwork.

10. Tessellation created by Rotation Adjacent sides must be congruent – squares, equilateral triangles, regular hexagons, rhombi

11. Midpoint Rotations • Triangles, Squares, and Quadrilaterals Note: More than one side may be altered for more challenging designs. Coloring one side of the pattern will help prevent accidental flipping during tracing.

12. Example: Rotational Tessellation

14. Suggestions • Try out several designs, by cutting and taping paper together until you find something you like. • When you have decided on a design, create your template on a stiff material – heavy cardstock or a file folder seem to work well for creating a sturdy template that can be traced over and over. • Be creative. Your design should not look like any of the designs in this presentation.