Using Repetition in Design

Deliciously Designed Desserts
I attended a pinning ceremony today for pledges starting a Sigma Chi colony at Saint Francis University. When I walked into the reception that followed, this dessert display, set up by the university's dining services team, caught my eye.

 The sum of the whole is greater than its parts.

Individually, these are cute little miniature sweets topped off with the world's tiniest spoon. Together, they form a sparkling tower of yum because the dining services team has mastered the art of repetition.
 
Several elements are skillfully repeated here to form the final effect. The most obvious element is the desserts themselves. Each one gets repeated on its own shelf in the center display, yet they mingle on the sides for a dash of variety.

The second thing that is beautifully repeated is shape. You'll notice that circles and squares play a big role. The center shelf tower, as well as the rasberry mascarpone and bananas foster, are all about the curves. The peanut butter dessert, on the other hand, favors angles. Those same angles are mirrored in the glass blocks that serve as clever lifts beside the center tower.

The third element, maybe even arguably the most important element, to be repeated in this display is glass. Glass ties everything together.

Oh, and by the way, they tasted as good as they looked!