Design Patterns - Creational
Based on stackoverflow post
Static Factory
Simple static method in base class.
Simple Factory
Basically the same as in previous patterns but now the static method is in their own class.
Factory Method
The Simple Factory now delegates in their own subclasses the responsability of creating the classes (all subtypes of the main type).
Abstract Factory
Very similar with previous pattern but now each concrete factory create their own type of classes.
Resources
https://stackoverflow.com/questions/4209791/design-patterns-abstract-factory-vs-factory-method
http://oo-programming.blogspot.co.uk/2009/02/oo-design-principles.html