Principles of design

Unity/Harmony

When all elements are in agreement, a design is considered unified. No individual part is viewed as more important than the whole design.

  • Perspective: sense of distance between elements.
  • Similarity: ability to seem repeatable with other elements.
  • Continuation: the sense of having a line or pattern extend.
  • Repetition: elements being copied or mimicked numerous times.
  • Rhythm: is achieved when recurring position, size, color, and use of a graphic element has a focal point interruption.
  • Altering the basic theme achieves unity and helps keep interest.unityd99797ed2b52c3cee5e891d6cc17e2ce

 

Balance

It is a state of equalized tension and equilibrium, which may not always be calm.

  • Symmetry
  • Asymmetrical balance produces an informal balance that is attention attracting and dynamic.
  • Radial balance is arranged around a central element. The elements placed in a radial balance seem to ‘radiate’ out from a central point in a circular fashion.
  • Overall is a mosaic form of balance which normally arises from too many elements being put on a page. Due to the lack of hierarchy and contrast, this form of balance can look noisy but sometimes quiet.BALANCESymmetrical example in real life:
  • cap1

The left and right of the architecture is mirrored with the central plane which made the building symmetrical.

  • Asymmetrical example in art:
  • g hockney acrylic

 

Hierarchy

contains elements that lead the reader through each element in order of its significance.

Images should be expressed starting from most important to the least important.

Example of hierarchy in art:

Duccio_maesta1021

The Proportion and placing enthroned Madonna and Child make it the most important subject, followed by those wearing red, and lastly to those in the background.

Example of hierarchy in typography:vh_3

The most importation information to be read first with the biggest font, and at the top,

Secondly most in sequence information second and medium font and lastly the information that should be read last having the smallest font and placing at the bottom.

 

 

Scale/proportion

relative size of elements against each other can attract attention to a focal point.

When elements are designed larger than life, scale is being used to show drama.

SCALE PRO

Example of scale in photography:

h_scale-0-1280-0-1024

The scale of the finger is way larger than the figurine, its is automatically processed by the brain that it is a small figurine instead of it is a giant hand.

Examples of Proportion in Sculpture:

_63152331_06-quenum-en-jouant-le-gros

The proportion of the arm is way larger than it should be for that small head, it attract attention due to the abnormality of the disproportion.

 

 

Dominance/emphasis

created by contrasting size, positioning, color, style, or shape.

The focal point should dominate the design with scale and contrast without sacrificing the unity of the whole.

Examples of dominance/emphasis in Photography:

dominance

A single bright blue raspberry stands out from a crowd of red raspberry, it draws attention to the blue raspberry making the other red raspberry to become the background.

 

 

Similarity and contrast

Planning a consistent and similar design is an important aspect of a designer’s work to make their focal point visible

Too much similarity is boring but without similarity important elements will not exist and an image without contrast is uneventful so the key is to find the balance between similarity and contrast.

contrast

Example of Similarity in graphic design:

gestalt-pattern-image

The pattern is repeated, however the colour of a single stickman is different with other to show contrast.

Example of Contrast in Painting:

contrast1

The flower is being emphasis by having a contrast with the black background which makes it stand out.

 

2d Project 1 – Lines Final

Final work for project 1
Final work for project 1 – Lines.

 

Anxious - Small anxiety leads to more anxiety and finally the eruption.
Anxious – Small anxiety leads to more anxiety and finally the eruption.
Embarrassed - Shy, no define line, low contrast, in asymmetrical balance.
Embarrassed – Shy, no define line, low contrast, in asymmetrical balance.
Exhausted - using of pen with low ink, gradient of dark light dark to show exhausted. stopping at 2/3 which is the golden ratio.
Exhausted – using of pen with low ink, gradient of dark light dark to show exhausted. stopping at 2/3 which is the golden ratio.
Psychotic - Lines created using negative space, Symmetrical and unpredictable result, no re-do to depict psychotic.
Psychotic – Lines created using negative space, Symmetrical and unpredictable result with no re-do to depict psychotic.
Distracted - mundane work = straight lines, after awhile got distracted and supposingly should return to the work to form symmetric horizontally, but distraction always overshot, return to mundane work. Symmetrical vertically,
Distracted – mundane work = straight lines, after awhile got distracted and suppose to return to the work to form horizontal symmetric, but distraction always overshot, return to mundane work later. Symmetrical vertically,
Sloven - using marker on crushed paper creates a interesting effect, ink leaks from the marker at the top paper.
Sloven – using marker on crushed paper creates a interesting effect, ink leaks from the marker at the top paper.
Aggressive - Fast, Swift strike. created using rubber band and acrylic paint, 1 Stroke.
Aggressive – Fast, Swift strike. created using rubber band and acrylic paint, 1 dominant Stroke.
Awkward - 1 squarish shape in bunch of curves, socially awkward.
Awkward – 1 squarish shape in bunch of curves, socially awkward.

 

Indecisive - Lots of erased charcoal line, texture of paper became sandy from much erasing, correction tape used.
Indecisive – Lots of erased charcoal line, texture of paper became sandy from much erasing, correction tape used.
Bizarre - Inspired by Joel during art history lesson, Silicon glue, Lines does not only appear in 2d it appear on 3d forms too. Unorthodox, weird.
Bizarre – Inspired by Joel during art history lesson, Silicon glue, Lines does not only appear in 2d it appear on 3d forms too. Unorthodox, weird.
Fragile - Weakest part of a paper is the torn part. "NO GLASS" i told myself, "NO GLASS!!"
Fragile – Weakest part of a paper is the torn part. “NO GLASS” i told myself, “NO GLASS!!”
Systematic - organised Chaos, thick and thin line to show contrast and gradient, symmetric.
Systematic – organised Chaos, thick and thin line to show contrast and gradient, symmetric.

Lyrical – art noveau whiplash curves, C in the left = classical, 5 lines as staff(lines) of a music sheet, thick and thin lines to form depth.

 

Turbulent - Wind(glue) cant be seen, but leaves(black mark) do. the lines in here are the negative lines from by the texture of glue
Turbulent – Wind(glue) cant be seen, but leaves(black mark) do. the lines in here are the negative lines from by the texture of glue.
Nonsensical - SUUPPEERRR LONG HOTDOG! funny and no meaning, implied line form by straight lines with gradient.
Nonsensical – SUUPPEERRR LONG HOTDOG! funny and no meaning, implied line form by straight lines with gradient.
Ambiguous - Heavier on top, half full? half empty? Acrylic paint, symmetrical.
Ambiguous – Heavier on top, half full? half empty? Acrylic paint, symmetrical.
Sensual - Art Noveau whiplash curves, gradient of lint to form depth in 2D. Asymmetrical balanced.
Sensual – Art Noveau whiplash curves, gradient of lint to form depth in 2D.
Spontaneous - Zig Zagged lines, Unplanned edges, layers of cutting.
Spontaneous – Zig Zagged lines, Unplanned edges, layers of cutting.

 

 

This project is fun!!! (atleast for me)

THE END.

2D Project 1, Lines (2)

After my exploration, I realized that my idea is not strong enough as most of the work lacks the foundation of art and seems like the work of someone who just want to complete the work, therefore I re-did my research from the basis of design – The Design Element and The Principles of Design. I think that the foundation of design is important, so rather than just doing a project, I hope I could learn to apply the Design Elements and Principles not by chance but by consciously applying it. ( Those works in the previous pictures in which I circled and wrote with red text are those which was done after the further research )

Researches, Inspirations
Researches, Inspirations

This is also the reasons of final choice, I think all my finals I do should have a reason and basic design element/principle to execute it. The following is my 4 steps which leads to my final work.

 

  1. Study and understand the design element and principles again and choose what could be applied in this project. ( I found a few principles and elements which are not taught in class, it made sense so I am using it too)

Principles of Design
Balance
Symmetry – brings visual stability , sense of structured, pleasing to the eye and more organised.
Asymmetry – could be an informal visual balance, could balance the visual weight by putting the heavier weighted ( bigger or darker ) nearer to the fulcrum (center) and balanced by a lighter (smaller or lighter) further away from the fulcrum(center)

Gradation
The tone from light to dark, can add interest and movement, cause eye to move along the shape from dark to light.

Repetition
Repetition with variation is interesting while without is monotonous.

Contrast
The relative difference between 2 tone, too much contrast will distract viewer yet too little will have no impact.

Harmony
Combining of similar and related elements, create a visually satisfying result

Dominance
Gives painting interest, Counteract confusion/monotony and could gives emphasis

Hierarchy
lead viewer sight, gives importance in order.

Proportion
Using Relative size to attract attention/focus. Scale could show drama

Elements of Design
Texture
Surface characteristic, could also be flat and bring texture by using illusion of painting

Direction
Horizontal – Calmness, Stability, Tranquility
Vertical – Balance, Formality, Alertness.
Diagonal – Movement, Action, active

Size
The area occupied by one shape relative to the other

Space
Overlap – To make object nearer/further
Shading/Highlight – Clearer lines are nearer, Duller are further
Linear Perspective – Smaller object are smaller

 

2 . Research the ways that people express themselves through art, (Mainly – what is said by the lecturer in art history lesson)

Art Nouveau
Curves are natural, feminine, passive

Art Medium
Brush stroke
Squeeze straight from tubes
Type of paints
Using Finger
Using of unconventional tools/mediums like glue, cutting of paper, punching holes

Types of Lines
Implied lines
Zigzagged lines
Freehand lines
Dotted lines
Horizontal/Vertical/Diagonal lines

Art in Process

Methods to execute the art.
The Story in making the art is an art itself.

 

3. Research the 18 words given again, understand how it is being carried out and how do I want to execute my idea/meaning of that word on paper
Perspective of words
Aggressive – Fast, Impact, High contrast
Anxious – Anxiousness is built up overtime
Awkward – Does not fit in, sudden corners in curve lines
Distracted – Shift of focus on mundane/monotonous work to fun and interesting, then back to the mundane/monotonous work long after it should
Embarrassed – Curve lines, low contrast and indefine lines to show a shy personalities
Exhausted – getting lesser, leads to giving up, using of a pen that is low in ink
Indecisive – hesitate, incompleted.
Psychotic – Unstable, using of negative space, using of ways which final result could not be predicted.
Sloven – Fast scribble, crushed paper, marks of ink leaked from the paper above, untidy.
Ambiguous – half full, heavier on top, question about the execution
Bizarre – the Unexplained, unorthodox
Fragile – i want it to be straight forward, the weakest/most fragile part of a paper is the torn part.
Lyrical – passive, curves, high and lows, 5 lines to represent staffs(lines) on music sheets, instrument which plays music
Nonsensical – Does not have a meaning, like a hotdog, a SUPPPPEEERRRRRR LONNNNGGGGG HOTDOG!
Sensual – Curvy, Ribbons, using space by light and dark tone, contrast, whiplash
Spontaneous – random stroke, unplanned, do what i want to do when i am doing the final.
Systematic – Plotted, measure everything, this needs to be perfect, no stroke overshot, every thing intended.
Turbulent – messy, wind could not be seen nomatter how strong it is, leaves could easily represent wind strength, negative spaces could form tornado like lines.

 

4. Choose what I want to use on step 1, 2 and 3 for every word and use it to build my final idea for every words.

*Word –  Element, Principles , How it is being expressed*

Aggressive – Texture, Dominance, The method in executing the art.
Anxious – Size, Gradation, Perspective of words.
Awkward – Space, Asymmetry, Perspective of words.
Distracted – Size, Proportion and Asymmetry and Repetition, Perspective of words.
Embarrassed – Space, Contrast and Gradation, Whiplash Curves.
Exhausted – Size, Gradation, Type of lines – freehand lines.
Indecisive – Direction, Contrast, Type of lines – Freehand lines.
Psychotic – Texture and size, Contrast and Balance, Method in Executing the art.
Sloven – Texture, Contrast and Dominance, Type of lines – Freehand lines.
Ambiguous – Texture, Contrast and Repetition and Balance, Type of paint and squeezing straight from tube.
Bizarre – Texture, – , unconventional medium – Silicon glue.
Fragile – Direction, Contrast and Dominance, Using unconventional medium – tearing of paper.
Lyrical – Space, Contrast and Asymmetry, Whiplash curves.
Nonsensical – Direction, Gradation and Contrast and Dominance, Type of lines – Implied lines.
Sensual – Space- Shading & highlight, Gradation and Harmony and Asymmetry, Whiplash Curves.
Spontaneous – Texture and Space, Harmony and Proportion, Type of lines – Zigzagged lines.
Systematic – Direction – Diagonal, Repetition and Gradation and symmetry, Perspective of words.
Turbulent – Texture, Contrast and Proportion, unconventional medium – using of glue with marker

 

2D Project 1, Lines (1)

Page 1 of Documentation
Page 1 of Documentation

18 of the words could be separated into 2 column,

*Direct/result/how a person act*

Aggressive, Anxious, Awkward, Distracted, Embarrassed, Exhausted, Indecisive, Psychotic and Sloven

*indirect/cause/how a person sense*

Ambiguous, Bizarre, Fragile, Lyrical, Nonsensical, Sensual, Spontaneous, Systematic and Turbulent

Aggressive, Anxious, Awkward and Distracted exploration
Aggressive, Anxious, Awkward and Distracted exploration

Aggressive – Angry, Fast, Sharp edges, Hard Stroke, Thick lines, Impact

Anxious – Anxious people are easily agitated, they are unstable, Anxiousness are built up over time, and anxious people get more anxious because they are anxious. chain reaction.  I watched this OCD and Anxiety Psychology Crash course to understand more about anxiety.

Awkward – does not fit in, the errrrrrrrrrrmmmmmmmmm, awkward silence

Distracted – Being focus on things that are unimportant, usually like scrolling facebook, instagram, and tends to overshot the “rest time” we set for ourself.

Embarrassed, Exhausted, Indecisive and Psychotic exploration
Embarrassed, Exhausted, Indecisive and Psychotic exploration

Embarrassed – Shy, Blushed, trying to hide, Small pattern, low contrast, Soft, Curvy  Indefine line – only shading

Exhausted – unable to continue, slow, weak, leads to giving up, pen with little ink left. energy going down, feeble line

Indecisive – Hesitant, Shaky, Soft, slow, indecisive people tend to follow other people,

Psychotic – normal people are unable to apprehend, either extreme unstable/ extreme stable. Bipolar,

Sloven, Ambiguous, Bizarre and Fragile Exploration
Sloven, Ambiguous, Bizarre and Fragile Exploration

Sloven – Dont care, Thick marker mark, fast rough sketch , crushed paper.

Ambiguous – have more than one meaning, open to interpretation,

Bizarre – Funny, Serious to self, Unorthodox, weird, odd – using of other weird/odd mediums

Fragile – No glass crack alike, perforation, Tear line of paper, zipline

Lyrical, Nonsensical, Sensual and Spontaneous Exploration
Lyrical, Nonsensical, Sensual and Spontaneous Exploration

Lyrical – at first i got totally no idea, but i got inspired by art noveau from art history class and the whiplash curls. so 5 lines to represent the staff on music sheet and curvy lines.

Nonsensical – yeah, no meaning, illogical, meaningless,

Sensual – Curves, females, ribbons, arousing

Spontaneous – anyhow , having fun, freedom, unplanned, sudden impulse, zig zag lines.

Systematic and Turbulent Exploration and Draft 1
Systematic and Turbulent Exploration and Draft 1

Systematic – Fixed pattern, Repetitive pattern, straightlines, plotted lines,

Turbulent – Wind, plane, messy, can be gentle, curves, leaves