Help with lights circuit

#1
Hello there!

I'm a beginner in the electronics world and I need some help with a project that im working on, so basically I need to have an array of 4x4 leds(ie disco lights) that display certain patterns, for example:
xoxo xxoo
xoxo then xxoo
xoxo ooxx
xoxo ooxx
and so on....I need the change of patterns manually and eventually automatic...I do have an idea of using 555 to trigger the signal, another 555 to control the speed, and finally a 4017 for the design with leds! any ideas? suggestions? im desperate by now....my tutor gave me a hint....to look just at 8 leds and mirror them...