Author: Teresa Lubano
Date: 15 April, 2025
Why Hyper-personalization is the Future of Surface Pattern Design
In textile surface pattern design, a quiet revolution is taking place — one that leans into personalization. At UndaMeta, we currently feature over 300 unique prints on our platform. But more and more, we’re receiving requests to design or tweak a pattern: a colour shift here, a motif resized there. These aren’t wholesale redesigns — they’re subtle, thoughtful edits. And they signal something bigger: people want to make a pattern their own.
This growing trend is part of a wider shift towards hyper-personalization in fashion and design, something McKinsey & Company highlighted in their State of Fashion: Technology Report 2022. The report notes that as digital technology evolves, consumers are expecting more from their purchases — especially a sense of individual identity. Hyper-personalization means tailoring products not just to customer segments, but to the individual. In short, people want what they wear, use or display to reflect who they are, not just what’s available.
At UndaMeta, we’re already seeing this in practice.
Take textiles, for example — they serve countless purposes. From apparel like dresses, trousers, jackets and suiting, to soft furnishings like curtains, day bed covers and napkins, textiles are everywhere. So when a designer or product maker approaches us with a specific need, it’s often tied to how a print will interact with the final product.
Say there’s a pattern with a main motif and a 20cm border accent. A customer might love the pattern but ask to double the border section to 40cm, perhaps because they’re sewing deep pockets and need more of that border detail.
That kind of request doesn’t mean the customer wants a new design — they want a specific, more personalised version of what already exists.
The Future of Fabric Design is Flexible
This shift toward customization isn’t a burden — it’s a glimpse into the future. Hyper-personalization in textiles could mean showcasing repeat tiles more clearly, or including scale references that help clients visualise how the print will behave on fabric. It might mean enabling tweaks like rotating stripes from horizontal to vertical or adjusting the scale of a motif. Possibly even allowing the customer to co-create with designers!
What might feel like minor asks now — “Can I change the background colour?” or “Can I flip this element vertically?” — are actually early signs that we’re entering a new design era, one where the sample (requested design edit) is the final product for only one customer. It’s an era where experimentation is happening in real-time and actualised live to meet the specificity of the clients needs.
As McKinsey puts it, “consumers are increasingly accustomed to instant gratification and products that reflect their unique preferences.” They point to emerging technologies such as 3D printing and digital customisation tools as enablers of this shift. For us in the surface design world, the equivalent lies in efficient digital textile printing and talented designers who can translate briefs into reality almost instantly.
Imagine having designers be on standby to jump onto a call to edit/tweak designs before they go for print? Or even better still, imagine embedding tools on the website that allow potential customers to make quick easy edits before checkout?
Personalised Prints, Real-Time Design
This direction excites us at UndaMeta. We’re embracing it and preparing for more requests like this. We’re saying: bring it on. For now, we want to understand your challenges and find creative ways to deliver the custom prints you envision.
Because with the right tools, skilled artists, and a collaborative spirit, what once felt impossible is now well within reach. What’s more, advancements in digital printing have made small print runs possible — making hyper-personalization not just achievable, but increasingly affordable.
So if you’ve been holding on to an idea, a modification, or a creative twist on a pattern you’ve seen on UndaMeta — don’t hesitate. Whether it’s a minor tweak or a unique application, we invite you to share it with us. Let’s explore what’s possible, together.
Please note: Because UndaMeta works with independent designers, we always seek permission from the original Creator before making any edits. This ensures they’re aware of the changes, receive proper attribution, and continue to earn commissions from their work. Our process is transparent, fair, and respectful of every designer’s contribution. We do not engage in copyright infringement or plagiarism of any kind. All rights to the original designs remain fully with the Creator.
Reference
Balchandani, A., Berg, A., Harreis, H., Hurtado, M., Altable, C. S., Roberts, R., Petersens, S., Amed, I. (2022). The State of Fashion: Technology Report. McKinsey & Company. Retrieved from https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/retail/our-insights/state-of-fashion-technology-report-202