Geometry has given us a world of shapes to use, from the simplest polka dot to curvaceous deco motifs.

The use of parallel, perpendicular, and interesting lines can transform the most rigid one-way design into a pattern with structural fluidity. Some of the most intricately ornate geometric designs can be found in the variety of foulards, with their small, neat club figures and medallions used for decades in neckwear and scarves.

We can also create a timeline defined by pattern and color. Certain floral designs can be identified with a period of history, but these are not as widely recognizable as certain geometric designs, such as the stylized shapes of fin de siécle Paris or the iconic art deco repeat of the Chrysler Building, or even the optical effects of the 1970s.