Wallpaper Wanderlust: A journey through America's states in patterns

Revolutionizing pattern creation with AI

The text-to-pattern tool is a powerful one. To start, click “Window” in the top menu and select “Generate Patterns” from the list of options. This opens the “Generate Patterns” window. In the prompt field, type what you want to see and press “Enter” or click “Generate.” Adobe Illustrator will generate three patterns you can use for your design.

These patterns are particularly powerful for Illustrator projects because they’re vector images. You can resize and modify any pattern element with “Edit Pattern” to achieve a specific look and feel. You can even save them as a Swatches panel to reuse them later in different parts of the design.

From Sea to Shining Sea: A Pattern for Every State

Alabama

Alabama Prompt: "Design a scenic Alabama landscape with a longleaf pine forest, the Saturn V rocket in the background, a yellowhammer perched on a camellia flower, and a football resting on the grass."

Alaska

Alaska Prompt: "Create a serene Alaskan landscape with towering snow-capped mountains, the Northern Lights glowing in the sky, and a grizzly bear standing near a river filled with salmon, with a dog sled team in the distance."

Arizona

Arizona Prompt: "Design a vibrant Arizona desert scene with towering saguaro cacti, a roadrunner dashing through the red rocks, and the Grand Canyon in the background, with a copper star shining in the sky."

Arkansas

Arkansas Prompt: "Create a peaceful Arkansas countryside with apple blossoms in full bloom, a mockingbird singing from a tree branch, and a diamond sparkling in a field of rice, with the Ozark Mountains in the distance."

California

California Prompt: "Design a vibrant California scene with the Golden Gate Bridge arching over the bay, redwood trees towering in the distance, golden poppies blooming, and a glass of wine resting near grapevines."*

Colorado

Colorado Prompt: "Create a picturesque Colorado scene with snow-covered Rocky Mountains in the background, a bighorn sheep standing near blooming columbine flowers."

Connecticut

Connecticut Prompt: "Design a peaceful Connecticut scene featuring the Charter Oak standing tall, an American robin flying near white oak leaves, and a Yale bulldog resting under a tree, with nutmeg seeds scattered on the ground."

Delaware

Delaware Prompt: "Create a vibrant Delaware scene with a blue hen walking near blooming peach blossoms, a horseshoe crab resting on the shore, and a checkered flag waving at Dover International Speedway, with the First State flag flying in the background."

Florida

Florida Prompt: "Design a lively Florida scene with a flamingo in a tropical lagoon, palm trees swaying in the breeze."

Georgia

Georgia Prompt: "Create a peaceful Georgia countryside with a southern live oak tree, peaches hanging from the branches, and a field of Cherokee roses in bloom."

Hawaii

Hawaii Prompt: "Design a tropical Hawaiian landscape with a blooming hibiscus flower, and a volcanic island with the ocean in the background."

Idaho

Idaho Prompt: "Create a scenic Idaho landscape with Mountains rising in the background, a field of blooming syringa flowers, and a sparkling gemstone.”

Illinois

Illinois Prompt: "Design a dynamic Illinois scene with the Chicago skyline carved into a field of prairie grass, and violet flowers blooming near a cardinal perched on a branch."

Indiana

Indiana Prompt: "Illustrate a vibrant Indiana landscape with a basketball court under a covered bridge, peony flowers in bloom, and a cardinal perched on a branch."

Iowa

Iowa Prompt: "Illustrate an Iowa landscape with wild roses blooming in a cornfield and a covered wagon."

Kansas

Kansas Prompt: "Create a vibrant Kansas scene with golden wheat fields stretching to the horizon, a sunflower blooming while a distant tornado swirls in the background."

Kentucky

Kentucky Prompt: "Design a vibrant Kentucky landscape with a thoroughbred horse racing through a field of bluegrass."

Louisiana

Louisiana Prompt: "Illustrate a vibrant Louisiana landscape featuring an alligator resting near a jazz trumpet."

Maine

Maine Prompt: "Design a peaceful Maine coast with a lighthouse perched on the cliffs."

Maryland

Maryland Prompt: "Create a vibrant Maryland scene with a crab resting by the Bay, and a black-eyed Susan flower beside the water."

Massachusetts

Massachusetts Prompt: "Illustrate a Massachusetts landscape featuring a maple tree shedding its leaves, and a lantern illuminating a distant scene."

Michigan

Michigan Prompt: "Illustrate a scenic Michigan scene with the Great Lakes stretching into the horizon, a lighthouse standing tall, and cherry blossoms falling from trees."

Minnesota

Minnesota Prompt: "Design a tranquil Minnesota lake scene with a loon gliding through the water and a canoe resting on the shore."

Mississippi

Mississippi Prompt: "Illustrate a peaceful Mississippi landscape featuring a riverboat cruising down the river."

Missouri

Missouri Prompt: "Design a dynamic Missouri landscape with the Gateway Arch towering in the background and blooming dogwood flowers.”

Montana

Montana Prompt: "Create a scenic Montana landscape with a bison roaming through a field of bitterroot flowers."

Nebraska

Nebraska Prompt: "Design a vibrant Nebraska landscape with Chimney Rock rising in the distance, goldenrod flowers blooming in a field of prairie grass, and a windmill standing near a cornfield."

Nevada

Nevada Prompt: "Create a dynamic Nevada desert scene with casino chips scattered on the ground."

New Hampshire

New Hampshire Prompt: "Design a serene New Hampshire scene with the White Mountains rising in the distance and lupine flowers blooming near a covered bridge.”

New Jersey

New Jersey Prompt: "Create a lively New Jersey scene with a horse racing down the track, a lighthouse standing on the shore, and tomatoes and blueberries."

New Mexico

New Mexico Prompt: "Design a colorful New Mexico desert scene with hot air balloons floating in the sky, a roadrunner dashing through the cacti."

New York

New York Prompt: "Create a vibrant New York City scene with a yellow taxi driving down the street, and an apple resting in the foreground."

North Carolina

North Carolina Prompt: "Design a peaceful North Carolina coastal scene with the Outer Banks, a lighthouse standing on the shore, dogwood flowers blooming."

North Dakota

North Dakota Prompt: "Illustrate a wild North Dakota landscape featuring a buffalo roaming through sunflower fields, the Badlands stretching into the distance, and oil rigs dotting the horizon."

Ohio

Ohio Prompt: "Design a lively Ohio scene with a cardinal perched in a buckeye tree, a football helmet resting nearby."

Oklahoma

Oklahoma Prompt: "Create a classic Oklahoma landscape with a bison, an oil derrick, and a redbud tree."

Oregon

Oregon Prompt: "Illustrate a peaceful Oregon scene featuring Mount Hood towering over a Lake, a beaver working near a Douglas fir tree."

Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania Prompt: "Create a historic Pennsylvania scene with the Liberty Bell in the background, an Amish horse and buggy passing by."

Rhode Island

Rhode Island Prompt: "Design a serene Rhode Island coastal scene with a sailboat on the ocean, a lighthouse shining on the shore, clams scattered on the beach, and the Waterfire event illuminating the background."

South Carolina

South Carolina Prompt: "Create a colorful South Carolina scene with Charleston’s pastel houses, a palmetto tree swaying nearby with magnolia flowers blooming."

South Dakota

South Dakota Prompt: "Design a grand South Dakota landscape with prairie grass, and a Sioux tipi in the foreground, with the Badlands stretching into the distance."

Tennessee

Tennessee Prompt: "Create a vibrant Tennessee scene with the Smoky Mountains in the background, a guitar resting near a Tennessee whiskey barrel, iris flowers blooming, and music notes floating in the air."

Texas

Texas Prompt: "Illustrate a grand Texas scene featuring cowboy boots in a field of bluebonnets."

Utah

Utah Prompt: "Illustrate a peaceful Utah landscape featuring Arches National Park, a beehive sitting near the Great Salt Lake, and skiers gliding down the slopes, with sego lilies blooming in the foreground."

Vermont

Vermont Prompt: "Illustrate a peaceful Vermont scene featuring fall foliage covering the Green Mountains, a covered bridge over a river, and a red barn with bottles of maple syrup resting on a table."

Virginia

Virginia Prompt: "Illustrate a classic Virginia landscape featuring a cardinal sitting on a dogwood flower, and the historic streets, with a Bay in the background."

Washington

Washington Prompt: "Create a scenic Washington landscape in the distance, a big snow-topped mountain towering in the background is evergreen trees, an orca whale, and apples on the ground."

West Virginia

West Virginia Prompt: "Create a rustic West Virginia scene with the New River Bridge spanning the Appalachian Mountains, a cardinal sitting on a rhododendron flower."

Wisconsin

Wisconsin Prompt: "Design a vibrant Wisconsin scene with a Holstein cow grazing in a field,, and cranberries flying through the air, with a Lake stretching into the distance."

Wyoming

Wyoming Prompt: "Illustrate a majestic Wyoming scene featuring the Grand Teton Mountains, a bison standing in the tall prairie grass, and a cowboy riding past a geyser in Yellowstone National Park."

Crafting state identity: The text-to-pattern design process unveiled

• Launch and update Illustrator. Ensure you have the latest version installed, which includes features like Text to Pattern. If you don't have a subscription, consider signing up for a free trial.

• Access Text to Pattern. In a new or existing project, find the tool (labeled as Generate Patterns) in the Properties panel or under Object > Patterns. Open the dedicated panel via Window > Generate Patterns.

• Create your pattern. Enter a descriptive prompt (e.g., "flora and fauna on navy blue") in the Generate Patterns panel and click Generate. Browse the resulting thumbnails and select one to preview on your canvas.

• Customize the output. Before generating, adjust settings like Color Presets, number of colors, or specific hues to include. Choose effect presets such as "geometric" for tailored results.

• Refine the seamless pattern. Make quick edits to your chosen design by grouping/ungrouping shapes, duplicating objects, or recoloring. Use the Recolor panel for manual adjustments or try Generative Recolor for AI-assisted color exploration.

• Finalize and implement. Save your completed pattern to your swatch library for easy application in future projects. Remember, this is just a starting point – leverage Illustrator's extensive editing tools to truly make the design your own.

Wear your state on your screen

If you love what you see, download your state’s pattern and share it on social media platforms like Instagram, X, and Facebook! You can even use them as digital wallpapers for your computer, phone, and tablet:

For iPhone/iPad

Go to Settings > Wallpaper > Choose a New Wallpaper. Select your downloaded image and adjust as needed.

For Android

Long-press on your home screen. Choose “Wallpapers > My Photos.” Select the downloaded image and apply.

For Desktop (Windows/Mac)

Right-click on the downloaded image. Select “Set as desktop background” or “Set as wallpaper.”

Share your state pride! Post your new wallpaper on social media using #MyStatePattern and tag us. Explore other states’ patterns, too. You might discover something new about a neighboring state.

Your town, your pattern

With a new document open in Illustrator, navigate to Object > Pattern > Make. In the Pattern Options panel, click “Text to Pattern.” Now it’s time to craft your pattern. Follow these tips to achieve excellent results:

• Be specific with your prompts. Instead of “trees,” try “pine trees of the Pacific Northwest.” Include multiple elements and add descriptive adjectives. You can even mention local landmarks. Click “Generate.”
• Refine your results. Adjust the “complexity” slider for more or fewer elements. Use “regenerate” to create variations of your prompt, and click on individual elements to edit or remove them.
• Define your color palette. In the Color & Tone section, explore preset color schemes. Vintage looks like “Retro” or “Faded” are a great choice. Modern feels can include presets like “Vibrant or Neon.”
• Fine-tune your palette. From this baseline, you can click on individual color swatches to adjust, and you can use the eyedropper tool to pick colors from reference images.

From Screen to Scene: Transforming Digital Patterns into Real-World Designs

Digital patterns can easily translate into real-world designs for items like t-shirts, tote bags, phone cases, and more. But before getting too excited, use Color & Tone settings to limit the number of colors your pattern generator will use. Fewer colors make lower printing costs, which can save you money while still delivering exceptional designs.

• Custom Wallpaper and Canvas Prints

Apply your digital wallpaper to a bedroom with this Montana-inspired pattern.

• Fabric and Textile Design

Show your love for the Sunshine State with this Florida-themed pattern on towels, tote bags, and other textile items.

• Product Customization

Embrace the Aloha spirit with this vibrant Hawaiian-inspired pattern, perfect for apparel and DIY projects.

• Large-Scale Applications

Transform your space with the enchanting beauty of New Mexico in this grand-scale pattern. Perfect for breathtaking wall murals, this design captures the state's iconic landscapes, rich culture, and vibrant colors.