I used to think adding patterns to charts was just visual clutter, but after a project in Seattle last month where a client's team couldn't read our green/red heat map, I now layer patterns over every key color difference.

Has anyone else found a specific pattern library or tool that makes this process faster than doing it manually in something like Illustrator?

2 comments

2 Comments

kellylopez1d ago

Listen to morgan.cameron, that pattern library is the only reason I haven't rage-quit making bar charts forever.

morgan.cameron1d ago

That Seattle project story is a perfect example of why this matters. I got burned the same way with a blue/orange map. For tools, the Pattern Library from Chartable is a total lifesaver. You just drag and drop the SVG files right into your design software. It cuts out the manual hassle of drawing stripes and dots yourself every single time. It's the only way I make accessible charts now.