Design Principles - Exercises
30/08/2022 - Ending Date / Week 1- Week 4
Hayato Saito / 0350466 / Bachelor Of Design In Creative Media
Design Principles
- Bilateral balance is achieved when an equal arrangement of elements is present on either side of the central axis.
- Radial balance is achieved by arranging pieces evenly around a focal point.
- When analogous but not identical shapes are grouped around the fulcrum line, this is referred to as approximate symmetry.
Asymmetrical balance
Exercises
LECTURES
・Contrast
- Contrast is the juxtaposition of strongly dissimilar elements.
- Without contrast, the visual experience would be monotonous.
- Contrast can provide visual interest, emphasize a point and express content.
Fig 0.1. https://pin.it/i4sXPpg
・Balance
- Balance refers to the distribution of visual weight in a work of design.
- It is the visual equilibrium of the elements that cause the total image to appear balanced.
- Balance can be symmetrical or asymmetrical.
Fig 0.2 https://pin.it/6G0UaTQ
Symmetrical Balance
- Has equal "weight" on both sides of a centrally located fulcrum.- Bilateral balance is achieved when an equal arrangement of elements is present on either side of the central axis.
- Radial balance is achieved by arranging pieces evenly around a focal point.
- When analogous but not identical shapes are grouped around the fulcrum line, this is referred to as approximate symmetry.
Fig 0.3. https://pin.it/2MUJY1u
- Each side of the composition has unequal visual weight.
- A prominent element on one side of the composition may be balanced by a couple or more minor focus points on the opposite side.
- More dynamic and fascinating. It inspires thoughts of modernity, movement, energy, and life. Asymmetrical balancing provides greater visual variation, but it can be more difficult to produce due to the more intricate interactions between pieces.
- A prominent element on one side of the composition may be balanced by a couple or more minor focus points on the opposite side.
- More dynamic and fascinating. It inspires thoughts of modernity, movement, energy, and life. Asymmetrical balancing provides greater visual variation, but it can be more difficult to produce due to the more intricate interactions between pieces.
Fig 0.4. https://pin.it/7shYI0B
The Golden Ratio
- Also known as phi, the Golden Ratio (other names: Golden Mean, Golden Section) is a
mathematical concept and a number that goes on indefinitely (1.618033988749895…). The ratio
itself comes from the Fibonacci sequence, a naturally occurring sequence of numbers that can be
found everywhere, from the number of leaves on a tree to the shape of a seashell.
- Many people have regarded the Golden Ratio as a symbol of ideal beauty or as being found only in nature over the centuries.
- For centuries, the Golden Ratio has been utilized as a guide to establishing visual harmony in architecture and art.
- The Golden Ratio may be utilized by designers, illustrators, and digital artists to provide harmony, balance, and structure to their work. It can also improve the visual attractiveness of a design effort.
Fig 0.5. https://pin.it/5MjAyi5
- It is a composition guideline used to provide energy to a design/photography/film/painting production.
- An image is divided into thirds, both horizontally and vertically, and the focus is positioned at the junction of those dividing lines, or along one of them.
Fig 0.6. https://pin.it/6adPrz7
・Word and Image
- Imagery is a vital part of the design, be it print or digital. Users and viewers are able to relate to a concept or a brand if the right images are used in a work of design. It is therefore important to use suitable and relevant images when designing.
- Choosing the right words to pair with the imagery is of high importance as it would deepen the meaning of the design. A suitable typeface and strategic positioning of the type will result in visual hierarchy and balance in a work of design.
Fig 0.7. https://pin.it/3f935ag
・Emphasis
- Emphasis is used to create dominance and focus in design work.
- Various elements can be used to create emphasis, such as colour, shapes, or value, to achieve dominance.
Fig 0.8. https://pin.it/4dD4S2B
・Movement
- The way a design leads the eye in, around, and through a composition - the path the eye follows.
- Motion or movement in a visual image occurs when objects seem to be moving in a visual image.
- Movement in a visual image comes from the kinds of shapes, forms, lines, and curves that are used.
Fig 0.9. https://pin.it/5RRxXrK
I had to choose 5 design principles from :
1. Gestalt theory
2. Contrast
3. Emphasis
4. Balance
5. Repetition
6. Movement
7. Harmony & Unity
8. Symbol
9. Word and Image
I have chosen Contrast, Balance, Word and Image, Movement, and Emphasis.
1. CONTRAST
- Contrast is the juxtaposition of strongly dissimilar elements.
- Without contrast, the visual experience would be monotonous.
- Contrast can provide visual interest, emphasize a point and express content.
1.1 Visual references
Fig 1.1. https://pin.it/5vakAas
Fig 1.2. https://pin.it/4cGjAje
Fig 1.3. - https://pin.it/7eqIMxz
Fig 1.4. - https://pin.it/5h0JVe2
At first, I was inspired by Fig 1.2 and I wanted to create a design that shows the process of aging and how our body will change by using the contrast between black color and white color. The concept of this design was "as we get older, our body doesn't work as well"
Fig 1.5. The first idea of the draft.
Fig 1.6. The second idea of the draft.
I got feedback for these two designs that in terms of the composition, the backgound and the arrangement of the black and white look more interesting and more well distributed in the second draft. However, in contents wise, the narrative can change. For example, as we climb up the stairs, we learn more things. I wasn't satisfied with these ideas so I decided to explore another idea.
Fig 1.7. The first final outcome of contrast
I got inspiration from Fig 1.4. and I decided to use similar composition in my new design.
I got feedback for this design that if I want to have strong contrast, I should use red instead of orange.
fig 7. The final outcome of contrast
I drew people's back figures except for one person and put the color on only one person who faces the front to create contrast and based on the feedback that I got, I used red color for his shirt so that the contrast became stronger. The reason why I didn't put color in the background is that I wanted everything to be plain and colorless to create a strong contrast.
- Balance refers to the distribution of visual weight in a work of design.
- It is the visual equilibrium of the elements that cause the total image to appear balanced.
- Balance can be symmetrical or asymmetrical.
2.1 Visual references
Fig 2.1. https://pin.it/7iOK2Ok
Fig 2.2. https://pin.it/4PP9VLf
Fig 2.3. The drawing that I have drawn in the past
When I was looking for the idea on Pinterest, Fig 2.1. caught my eyes and I was thinking about how I can use this idea and develop it as my idea. While I was thinking about that I remember my previous artwork which is Fig 2.3. That's when I decided to go with this idea.
Fig 2.4. The draft
Since I wanted to make a design that has a sense of symmetry to create balance so I decided to use a peace sign because I thought the peace sign was the most symmetrical of all the hand shapes.
Fig 2.5. The first outcome for the balance
This is the first outcome but I got feedback that if I shorten the flower stem part and bring down that part and make the flowers bigger, this design will be more interesting and well balanced.
Fig 2.6. The outline for improved idea
2.3 Final outcome
Fig 2.7. The final outcome for the balance
I put the exact same size of 2 sunflowers in symmetry to create a great balance and for the background color, I used light blue which is the color of the sky to make the vibe of the sunflowers and background match and to put the emphasis on the elements. And also leaving the empty space makes this design not boring and interesting.
3. Word and Image
- Word and Image is the artwork that is created with suitable and relevant images and suitable typeface of the words.
3.1 Visual references
Fig 3.1. https://pin.it/4tarhM4
Fig 3.2. https://pin.it/piSOapx
Fig 3.3. https://pin.it/1ERBq1u
3.2 Idea exploration and description
Fig 3.1. made me wanna create the design with the brain and I came up with the idea to create the brain by using the word "BRAIN" when I was looking through the word and image artworks.
Fig 3.4. The first outcome for word and image
I got feedback that instead of using the word "brain" in the background, I should put his thoughts or some notes or thought bubbles above his brain so this design will be more interesting.
Fig 3.5 The second final outcome for word and image
Ms. Jinchi asked me if the color of the background represent his feelings or not but I didn't think about that that deeply so I said I just picked the blue and then she said I should have the negative feelings or thoughts in the background so the background color will make more sense and this design will have strong meaning.
3.3 Final outcome
Fig 3.5 The third final outcome for word and image
In this design, the letters "BRAIN" is interestingly represented by describing the brain with the word "BRAIN". The reason why I used the blue colors for the background is that the words I put in the background are all negative feelings so the blue color represents his feelings and his thoughts.
4. Movement
- The way a design leads the eye in, around, and through a composition - the path the eye follows.
- Motion or movement in a visual image occurs when objects seem to be moving in a visual image.
- Movement in a visual image comes from the kinds of shapes, forms, lines, and curves that are used.
4.1 Visual references
Fig 4.1. https://pin.it/7o5Oeeb
Fig 4.2. https://pin.it/7xXwcer
Fig 4.3. https://pin.it/1atopp3
Fig 4.4. https://pin.it/7cHhjix
Fig 4.5. The artwork that I drew before.
4.2 Idea exploration and description
Fig 4.6. The draft for the movement
Fig 4.7. The first idea of the outline
Fig 4.8. The final outcome
I referred the fig 4.1. and I tried to create the movement by using the composition of people and the flow of the smoke but Ms. Jinchi said my artwork looks too similar to the reference idea so I have to make something new but I still can use the idea which is showing the movement by using the smoke.
Fig 4.9. The second idea of the outline for the movement
I decided to continue to use the idea which is showing the movement with the smoke. I got inspiration from the artwork I drew myself in the past so I traced the person figure from Fig 4.5. and I wanted to draw smoke that has more sense of movement so I referred to Fig 4.4. to draw the smoke.
4.3 Final outcome
Fig 4.10. The final outcome for the movement
In this design, the smoke is showing a sense of movement. I adjusted the size and put the shadow to make the smoke obvious. I made the shape of smoke waving because I wanted to create a design that would allow the viewer's eyes to move naturally from side to side.
5. Emphasis
- Emphasis is a principle of art that occurs any time an element of a piece is given dominance by the artist. In other words, the artist makes part of the work stand out in order to draw the viewer's eye there first.
5.1 Visual references
Fig 5.1. https://pin.it/6KOX8iQ
Fig 5.2. https://pin.it/19JXng2
Fig 5.3. https://pin.it/5VGkXWR
5.2 Idea exploration and description
I found the composition of Fig 5.3. artwork interesting so I decided to use this composition in my design.
Fig 5.4. The draft for the emphasis
Fig 5.5. The outline for the emphasis
Fig 5.6 The first final outcome for the emphasis
I got feedback that it doesn't really have strong emphasis because the colors of the frogs are too similar and it's better if the frog in the middle is in different colors so I should try different color palettes to find the best combination of the colors to show the best emphasis. Ms. Jinchi also said I should get rid of the top frog which is laying down because without that frog, others fit well together and because there is an awkward space under that frog.
5.3 Final outcome
Fig 5.7. The final outcome for the emphasis
I used a darker color for the green frogs and the background and used brighter color for the one frog in the middle to make this design has stronger emphasis.
FEEDBACK
Week 2: For the design of contrast. I got feedback for these two designs that in terms of the composition, the background, and the arrangement of the black and white look more interesting and more well distributed in the second draft. However, in contents wise, the narrative can change. For example, as we climb up the stairs, we learn more things.
Week 3: For the design of the contrast, I got feedback that if I want to have strong contrast, I should use red instead of orange.
For the design of the balance, I got feedback that if I shorten the flower stem part and bring down that part and make the flowers bigger, this design will be more interesting and well-balanced.
For the design of the word and image, I got feedback that instead of using the word "brain" in the background, I should put his thoughts or some notes or thought bubbles above his brain so this design will be more interesting.
Week 4: For the design of the word and image, I should have the negative feelings or thoughts in the background so the background color will make more sense and this design will have a strong meaning.
For the design of the movement, my artwork looks too similar to the reference idea so I have to make something new but I still can use the idea which is showing the movement by using the smoke.
For the design of the emphasis, I got feedback that it doesn't really have strong emphasis because the colors of the frogs are too similar and it's better if the frog in the middle is in different color and I should try a different color palette to find the best combination of the colors to show the best emphasis. Ms. Jinchi also said I should get rid of the top frog which is laying down because without that frog, others fit well together and because there is an awkward space under that frog.
REFLECTION
Through this exercise, what I did well was understand the feedback and develop my work precisely.
The most difficulty was understanding the depth of this exercise. The most challenging aspect of this work for me was understanding the depth and purpose of this assignment, As I am still learning the English language I found it quite hard to comprehend the purpose and motive of this assignment.I did not know what to make and how to start as I felt the task was too broad. That's why I was left behind because I couldn't start working earlier which led me to procrastinate until the last minute. After thorough research into the topic and with the help of my peers, I was able to start developing my own ideas. The lecturer's feedback and guidance further motivated me and helped me understand where I was lacking and provided me with a direction. During my work on this exercise, I was able to develop a more in-depth understanding of design principles, specifically Gestalt theory, symbol, and word and image as these were foreign concepts to me. I also realized the importance of decreasing my procrastination levels and being more proactive with my work. All in all, I would look back at this experience in a positive light as it helped me to have a better understanding of the subject as well as develop skills that will be very useful for me in the future as well.
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