Off Step

Off Step grew from the simple idea of putting things together incorrectly. Rather than matching identical forms, mismatched pairs create the repeat. That slight misalignment gives the pattern its jagged character.

What interests me is how quickly the geometry starts to suggest folded paper. Edges seem to turn back on themselves, while flat areas begin to look like overlapping planes. Origami comes to mind, although nothing has actually been folded.

There is a nice contradiction in that. Origami creates form through precise folds and careful alignment. Off Step gets much of its character from deliberately refusing to line things up.

The eye still tries to make sense of it. Some shapes appear to project forward, others seem to tuck underneath, and then the reading changes again. A completely flat arrangement starts behaving as though it has volume.

That ambiguity came from something very simple: pairing the wrong pieces together. Once they were slightly out of step, the pattern found its own character.

Off Step seems an appropriate name. Everything nearly lines up, but thankfully never quite does.