Design Principle Exercise 1

28/03/2022-07/04/2022 (week1-2)

Ng Jia Xien (0355062)

Design Principles 

Lecture 01:Elements & Principles of Design

Elements of Design

In our first class on design principles, we learn about the elements of design, which are point, line, shape, form, texture, space, and colour. Those are the individual "building blocks". Every element plays an important role in the design, and in most cases, they have to work in tandem to achieve a successful and creative design.

01. point

Fig1:Point

https://i1.sndcdn.com/avatars-000002498426-l7fmv3-t500x500.jpg

A point or you can call it a dot, seems nothing went alone but two or many points can create thousands of possibilities.

02. line

Fig 2:Difference types of lines

https://ecdn.teacherspayteachers.com/thumbitem/Types-of-Lines-Handout-5014677-1602247481/original-5014677-1.jpg

Lines can have many forms, and several lines can form shapes. Repetitive lines can form a rhythm. 

03. shape 

Fig 3:Geometric and organic shapes

https://affinity.help/designer/en-US.lproj/index.html?page=pages/CurvesShapes/about_geometricShapes.html?title=About%20geometric%20shapes

The shape can be separated into two part, which is geometric and organic shape.

04. form

Fig 4:Form in art

https://www.mattshlian.com/new-page-1

The form is called a three-dimensional area. In my perception, integrating form into any 2D artwork makes it more realistic and three-dimensional.

05. colour

Fig 5:Colour

https://blog.printsome.com/colour-secrets-around-world/

Learn about the difference between tint, tone, and shade. Colour can easily form a contrast in any work. 

06. texture

Fig 6:Wall texture

https://www.dreamstime.com/white-rough-wall-texture-backgrounds-image200116704

The texture is often expressed through the sense of touch, but an excellent piece of work can also convey the sense of touch through visuals.

07. space

Fig 7:Negative space photography

https://www.adobe.com/uk/creativecloud/photography/discover/negative-space-photography.html

I do think that space is the most important thing in typography as it emphasizes the main message and also makes the entire work visually comfortable.

Principles of Design

What are the principles of design?

Arrangement and use of elements of design and subjects in a work of art. It is a way of composing a work of art.

-Gratzl Creative's youtube channels 

The principles of design that we learn in week 1 are contrast and Gestalt theory. Gestalt theory can be divided into six design principle, which is the principle of similarity, the principle of continuation, the principle of closure, the principle of proximity, the principle of figure-ground, and the principle of symmetry and order.

CONTRAST 

It shows the differences between elements of design or subjects in a work of art. It forms the center of interest in a design and emphasizes the main elements of the work. As far as I know, they are many types of contrast including a contrast in colour, a contrast in size, a contrast in texture, a contrast in light, and more. Contrast literally means "difference", strong work has strong contrast.

Fig 8:A high contrast art working

https://www.artstation.com/artwork/w6E1LV

Fig 9:An art contrast in colour, by Arlene Babad

https://indonesiadesign.com/story/fine-arts

GESTALT THEORY:

01. principle of similarity

Fig 10:The law of similarity

https://www.interaction-design.org/literature/topics/gestalt-principles

The principle of similarity simply states that when several images that are similar to each other are placed together, our brain groups them atomically.  

02. principle of continuation

Fig 11:Art work of continuation

https://co.pinterest.com/pin/8092474318695686/

In my opinion, it is similar to the other principle of design that calls movement, it shows action and directs the viewer's eye through a work of art.

03. principle of closure

Fig 12:The logo of WWF

https://mg.co.za/special-reports/2021-03-19-wwf-in-namibia-seeks-a-wildlife-advisor/

The image is not complete, but people will fill in the blanks to perceive a complete image.

04. principle of proximity

Fig 13:The Gestalt principle of proximity

https://uxdesign.cc/how-to-enhance-your-design-with-the-gestalt-principles-of-proximity-a7828452058b

I consider that placing the related elements into a group is useful in website design for presenting a more user-friendly page.

05. principle of figure-ground

Fig 14:An artwork that applies the principle of figure-ground

https://eportfolios.capilanou.ca/yunhu/author/yunhu/page/3/

Two images in one design, when we look at a separate object, some focus on the foreground and others on the background.

06. principle of symmetry & order

Fig 15:Some logos that apply the principle of symmetry & order

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/619104280021256157/

The principle of symmetry and order means an equally balanced design. Similar objects create a form. Besides, there is an asymmetrical (unequally balanced design) too.

Instruction 

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Exercise

In the exercise in week 1, we were asked to create two designs according to the principle of contrast and Gestalt theory. As we were allowed to use any materials including digital art to summit our design, I decided to use the software, Procreate for my work.

• Part A:

Principle of Contrast   

Fig 16:Contrast in colour

https://www.liveabout.com/definition-of-simultaneous-contrast-2577729

When doing some inspiration research, I come across an image of colour contrast, and I started to imitate an artwork of contrast in colour.

Fig 17:Contrast, red sun, by Ng Jia Xien

The use of warm tones makes the entire piece appear to be at high temperatures.

Fig 18:Contrast, blue cactus, by Ng Jia Xien

Use cool tones to accentuate the low temperature.

 

Fig 19:Contrast artwork, by Ng Jia Xien

Combine them together to get a warm tone, cool tone contrast artwork.

As the final design for part A, I create artwork that expresses the theme and background by focusing on the object.

Fig 20:Photo of a cat

https://pixnio.com/fauna-animals/cats-and-kittens/cute-cat-fur-eye-nature-feline-pet-kitten-siamese-cat

The photo of the cat focuses on the main object-cat, and the background becomes blurry to emphasize the cat, and I think that it is a good example of the principle of contrast. 

Fig 21:Contrast, clear fruit artwork, by Ng Jia Xien

I drew a clear fruit as the subject.

Fig 22:Contrast, blurred fruits artwork, by Ng Jia Xien

I put the blurred fruits artwork as the background to emphasize the clear one.

Fig 23:Contrast, fruit, by Ng Jia Xien

The final product come out like this, though the blurred background highlights the clear subject.

• Part B:

Gestalt theory 

Fig 24:An advertisement for JBL

https://www.dandad.org/awards/professional/2018/art-direction/26635/block-out-the-chaos-babies-dogs-wife-daughter/

This is a really creative advertisement. It conforms to the principle of closure in Gestalt theory. As an exercise, I did an artwork that represents the principle of closure.

 

Fig 25:Principle of closure, koi, by Ng Jia Xien

The spots on this koi appear blank, but the viewers will see a complete koi through their own imagination.

As the final work for part B, I choose the principle of continuation as the main creation law.

 

Fig 26:Principle of continuation, waves, by Ng Jia Xien

Fig 26:Principle of continuation, waves, by Ng Jia Xien

As you can see, in addition to the Principle of continuation, these two images also abide by the principle of contrast. Fig 25 with a bright wave and fig 26 show dark waves as a background to accentuate the front element. 

Fig 27:Principle of continuation, the wave, by Ng Jia Xien

Feedback

Week2

Add a frame to Fig 18 (blue cactus), to illustrate the original background before converting it into a contrast piece. To provide better contrast with Fig 22 (blurred fruits), make Fig 21(fruit) a lighter colour. Combine Fig 25 (koi) and Fig 27 (the wave) together to form a complete work that combines the principle of continuation and closure.

Week7 (overall feedback)

Remember to add the URL to each image found online. The contrast (fruit) works well, showing an understanding of the principle and creating works that do not go the ordinary path.

Reflection on Exercise

Fig 28: Principle of contrast, final work-fruit, Ng Jia Xien

Fig 29: Principle of continuation, final work-koi, Ng Jia Xien

PDF of final work

Brief reflection for weeks 1 & 2

I have learned about the elements of design and the principle of design. Although did not learn it deeply, but still mastered the basic understanding. Based on those two weeks of study and research, I can distinguish each principle from different work and can come out with my own design by using those design principles.