Repeating patterns are at the heart of most wallpapers, as they are part of the core of many simple, old-school, paper-and-pen games. While elementary in design (and execution), these basic black-and-white wallpaper designs feature an element of creative, unique and ultimately unpredictable emergent design that makes them grow more complex with time.

The first layer – the original printed design – is as simple as it gets: a series of mazes, tic-tac-toe boards and crossword puzzles that naturally lend themselves to virtually infinite extension in any direction. Created by CinqCinq, these have been placed as the backdrops of art installations and waiting room interiors- perfect places to encourage spontaneous interaction.

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By setting out specific colors of pencil, pen, crayon or marker, the designer (or space owner) gets to exert another level of control but ultimately leaves the finished product in the hands of people who pass through a given space. The palette is provided, but the rest evolves in a curiously natural way (and helps beat the boredom of waiting).

The neatest part, arguably, is the way in which the original pattern actually fades as you step away from the wall surface – the thin black lines dissolve against a largely-white surface, and the colorful overlays end up taking over as the dominant visual component. Given sufficient time, the original pattern could potentially disappear entirely, leaving only added layers showing.

“Highly recommended for the bathroom, waiting rooms or all this spaces where we are bored, these 3 models are purchased and applied blank, only the discreet crossword patterns are building up their first aesthetic. After a certain time, the pattern will grow, progress, and become alive with all the games played. The pattern will just be the result of all these marks.”

“Each wallpaper will be different discovering hand-made and spontaneous graphics which take on a unique character depending on the colors of the used felt-tin pens and the results of each personal draw. Before being a game on a wallpaper support, this collection is a way for us to bring life to a decorative piece. We have used games as a simple pretext, a good reason for you to draw on walls, and to become the author of a model which takes form with time.”