Polymeric coatings having optically non-linear or optically anisotropic properties in selected areas and of any arbitrary shape including a pattern. These zones are sharply defined from surfaces having centro-symmetrical or isotropic configurations or from surfaces with different optically non-linear or anisotropic properties. The polymeric coating has optically non-linear and/or mesogenic side chains, selected surface areas of which are cross-linked by the action of light, the zones which have optically non-linear or anisotropic properties being subjected to the influence or orienting fields or forces during the cross-linking process. The distances between optically different zones are limited to typically about 1 .mu.m.