At Pattern, we believe the best experiences—both for users and internal teams—are built with intention.
While we are known for our experience-driven design, our approach to development is equally refined and shaped by more than a decade of hands-on experience with Shopify and front-end technologies.
Through this deep expertise, we’ve developed both a robust set of Engineering Principles and also a proprietary Shopify development system that sets our work apart: the Pattern Theme Framework. This system enables our team to design, develop, and launch high-performance Shopify sites tailored to the evolving needs of ambitious e-commerce brands.
Built on Core Principles, Driven by Client Goals
At the core of the Pattern Theme Framework lies a simple truth: business goals come first. Every line of code and technical decision is grounded in the broader context of our clients’ objectives. That’s why our engineering principles are more than best practices—they’re a philosophy that guides how we architect our solutions.
Pattern’s Core Engineering Principles
1. Build for the Long Term
We prioritize code quality and long-term maintainability through scalable design systems, UI kits, and standardized utility classes. These elements allow us to streamline development, enforce consistency, and future-proof client websites.
2. Do It Right the First Time
Before any code is written, we lead a detailed Technical Discovery process. This ensures that every development decision aligns with what our client’s business truly needs—transforming vague requirements into targeted technology investments that power growth.
3. Performance & Speed Come First
From app integrations to front-end architecture, performance is paramount. Each new feature undergoes comprehensive speed testing before deployment. We also harness AI to identify and implement performance optimizations, ensuring that speed never takes a backseat.
4. Security & Inclusivity Matter
Pattern sites are built to meet ADA WCAG 2.1 AA standards, ensuring accessibility for all users. SEO is also built into our codebase and technical strategy from the ground up. AI tools assist with additional auditing, offering a second layer of insight into compliance and optimization.
5. Balance is Key
We take a balanced approach to integrating Shopify-native features, custom code, and third-party tools. Every decision is weighed against the business’s needs, creating a solution that’s as efficient as it is powerful.
The Pattern Theme Framework
The Pattern Theme Framework isn’t a theme—it’s a modular development system designed to combine the flexibility of a custom build with the performance and scalability of Shopify 2.0.
Why Modularity Matters
Built with modularity at its core, the Framework provides high degrees of customization without the limitations of premade themes. By solving for speed and performance out of the box, we can focus our efforts on innovation, integration, and experience design.
Modular components make it easy to:
- Build and iterate quickly
- Empower marketing teams to update content without developer support
- Replace apps with native, faster alternatives (when applicable)
- Scale and evolve without technical debt
In short: modularity = adaptability. When you're not boxed in by rigid templates, the only constraints are budget and time.
Optimized for Speed & Performance
Pattern’s development system uses code splitting to ensure that only the code relevant to the Shopify 2.0 section or feature on the page is loaded. This significantly improves site speed—especially on mobile, where every millisecond shaved from load time translates to higher conversions.
By avoiding the heavy JavaScript bundles common in most Shopify themes, we help brands deliver fast, frictionless experiences that drive sales.
Clean Code, Efficient Development
Our engineers use Tailwind CSS and utility-first design practices to dramatically increase development efficiency and code cleanliness. By codifying design systems directly from Figma into reusable classes, we reduce the friction between design and development—leading to better alignment, faster handoffs, and more consistent results.
Modularity also empowers clients to manage and update their sites over time without heavy reliance on developers. Once a component is designed and styled, it’s easy to reuse or adapt—minimizing future costs and accelerating time to market.
The result? Cleaner code, faster dev cycles, lower QA overhead, and a reduced long-term maintenance burden—freeing up budget and resources for growth-focused initiatives.
Built for Brands That Are Ready to Scale
The Pattern Theme Framework is designed for high-growth and enterprise-level brands that demand scalability, maintainability, and performance.
While Shopify 2.0 offers excellent pre-built themes for smaller businesses, those looking to innovate, experiment, and grow at scale will quickly feel the limitations. The Pattern Theme Framework removes those barriers.
See what we’ve built:
Explore The Suja Case Study ›
Pattern’s engineering philosophy and Pattern Theme Framework work in tandem to give our clients a competitive edge. With a foundation built on thoughtful principles and a framework designed for the future, we don’t just build beautiful sites—we build ecommerce engines for growth.
Ready to scale? Let's talk ›
About Pattern
Pattern helps brands unlock their next catalyst moment through experience-driven eCommerce. We design modern brands, eCommerce experiences, products & platforms that help founders, disruptors and visionaries find their place at the intersection of culture, community & commerce.
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