Design Principle Exercise 2

4/04/2022-22/04/2022 (week2-4)

Ng Jia Xien (0355062)

Design Principles 

Lecture 02:Balance & Emphasis (week2)

 The balance of the visual composition is pleasing to the eyes. 

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

Figure 1. Symmetrical balance artwork

https://www.stcharleschurch.org/eucharist

Figure 2. Symmetrical balance artwork

http://www.xn--gaiagrden-92a.se/foredrag

Figure 3. Symmetrical balance artwork

https://www.johnlewis.com/john-lewis-partners-tate-robert-delaunay-endless-rhythm-wood-framed-print-mount-64-x-54cm/p5792054

We have to note that balance can be symmetrical or asymmetrical. Symmetrical balance has equal "weight" on equal sides of a centrally placed fulcrum. Also, The equal arrangement of elements on either side of the central axis results in the bilateral balance, arranging elements equally around a central point results in radial balance. Approximate symmetry is when equivalent but not identical forms are arranged around the fulcrum line. 

It means that symmetrical design ark work is not necessary to be totally equal on both sides but it can be just similarly or are basically the same in "weight". Radial balance is a form of symmetrical balance where elements within an image radiate outwards from a central point. 

Next, the asymmetrical balance has unequal visual weight on each side of the composition, one side of the composition might contain a dominant element, which could be balanced by a couple or lesser focal points on the other side. Asymmetrical balance offers more visual variety, although it can be more difficult to achieve because the relationships between elements are more complex. 

Emphasis

Figure 4. Emphasis on using colour and shape

https://medium.com/@tshirtmockup/principles-of-design-408acd0f354f

Figure 5. Emphasis on using colour and structure

https://theexplodingboy.bandcamp.com/album/the-exploding-boy

Figure 6. Emphasis on photography

https://www.vogue.fr/vogue-hommes/culture/diaporama/inside-the-portfolio-of-walter-pfeiffer/15206 

Figure 7. Emphasis using colour

https://thevirtualinstructor.com/blog/emphasis-a-principle-of-art 

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. 

Rule of Thirds 

Figure 8. The photograph that presents the rule of third

https://expertphotography.com/improve-your-composition-the-rule-of-thirds/ 

Figure 9. The photograph that presents the rule of third

https://blog.westerndigital.com/improve-your-photos-with-the-rule-of-thirds/ 

It is a composition guideline to create more dynamism in a work of design. An image is divided evenly into thirds, both horizontally and vertically, and the subject of the image is placed at the intersection of those dividing lines, or along with one of the lines itself. In the photograph above, the subject matter is not in the middle.  

Golden Ratio

Figure 10. Golden Ratio in Japanese artwork

https://www.pomegranate.com/products/katsushika-hokusai-the-great-wave-postcard

Figure 11. Golden Ratio in graphic design

https://uxplanet.org/golden-ratio-bring-balance-in-ui-design-765c954f0ff9

Figure 12. Golden Ratio in graphic design

https://99designs.com/blog/tips/the-golden-ratio/

Figure 13. Golden Ratio in poster

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/197736239866871608/ 

Golden Ratio is important for designers, it is a mathematical concept and a number that goes on indefinitely. The Golden Ratio has been perceived as the representative of perfect beauty or is uniquely found throughout nature, it has been used for centuries as a guide to creating visual balance.

Lecture 03:Repetition & Movement (week3)

Movement

Figure 14. Movement present by wave

https://www.pomegranate.com/products/katsushika-hokusai-the-great-wave-postcard

Figure 15. Movement present by colour 

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/147141112808714750/

Figure 16. Movement present by colour

https://www.audiotool.com/track/pyi3o5ruo2/

Movement is 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.

Repetition 

Figure 17. Repetition form by buildings

http://www.stockicons.info/newest-pages/repetition-in-sculpture.html 

Figure 18. Repetition form by windows

https://www.interaction-design.org/literature/article/repetition-pattern-and-rhythm

Repetition exists everywhere around us in our lives, it could make a work of design seem active and also creates rhythm and pattern within the work. But we should put attention to keeping rhythms exciting and active by using variety (a change/ slight difference in elements and objects in composition) to avoid monotony. The pattern helps increase visual excitement by enriching surface interest. 

Hierarchy

Figure 19. Hierarchy design

https://ualr.edu/socialchange/main-test/project-voice-invitation/

Figure 20. Hierarchy design

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/134756213829342343/

Hierarchy is the choreography of content in composition to communicate information and convey meaning. Visual hierarchy directs viewers to the most important information first, and identifies navigation through secondary content.

Alignment

Figure 21. Alignment design

https://www.deviantart.com/alberth-kill2590/art/John-Lennon-Poster-547351318 

Figure 22. Alignment design

https://yveludwig.com/Yale-School-of-Architecture-poster-series

Alignment is the placement of elements in a way that edges line up along common rows or columns, or their bodies along a common centre. Alignment creates a sense of unity and cohesion, which contributes to the design's overall aesthetic and perceived stability. Alignment can also be a powerful means of leading a person through a design. 

Instruction

<iframe src="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1zQ4dTgXxp_oIvDj07KrV1n6XldYzx9Rv/preview" width="640" height="480" allow="autoplay"></iframe>

Exercise 

In exercise 2, we were asked to choose 2 principles to work for from the principle taught in week 2 and 3, which is symmetrical balance, asymmetrical balance, emphasis, rule of thirds, golden ratio, movement, repetition, hierarchy, and alignment. We are allowed to use any material to create our work, so I decided to use both digital and physical methods to produce my design work. 

visual research 

https://artfulhaven.com/watercolor-background-techniques/

Part 1:

I choose the symmetrical balance principle as my first design principle. I use the decalcomania art to express the principle of symmetrical balance, decalcomania is a blotting process whereby paint is squeezed between two surfaces to create a mirror image. As to create a decalcomania artwork, we first have to prepare paper and paint, I prepare acrylic and watercolour for the artwork. 

Figure 23. Paper and paints

Then we have to fold the paper in half and apply the paints on one side, applying pressure and then unfolded the paper to reveal a mirror pattern. 

Figure 24. Apply paints on one side 

Below are my exercise before creating the final work.

Figure 25. Decalcomania art by using acrylic

Figure 26. Decalcomania art by using watercolour

Figure 27. Decalcomania art by using watercolour

By creating those exercises, I discovered that by using different kinds of paints the result of decalcomania work will display a different texture and effect. 

Figure 28. Texture and effect produced by acrylic 

Figure 29. Texture and effect produced by watercolour

It's an interesting discovery while doing exercise. And below are the work which I am satisfied with. 

Figure 30. Final work for symmetrical balance 

Figure 31. Final work for symmetrical balance

Figure 31. Final work for symmetrical balance 

Part 2:

Next, I choose the principle of emphasis for my second design, as I will present this work by using the digital method. 

Figure 32. The idea at the beginning 

Figure 33. The process of  the initial idea

visual research

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/16466354879665764/

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/651685008591381516/

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/184858759680395008/

But then I realized that the initial idea didn't show the principle of emphasis distinctly, so I made some improvements on the initial idea.  First, change the original blue people into black. 

Figure 34. Artwork after improvement 

Then, place the main subject that causes a contrast with the people in black to form an emphasis.

Figure 35. A bright people in the crowd   

Last, further highlights on the main subject, and below is my final work for the principle of emphasis. 

Figure 36. Final work for emphasis

Feedback

Week3

Try to increase the white space under the decalcomania final work (figure13) and for the final work of emphasis (figure36), turn the canvas from square to portrait which make the main subject in the middle of the canvas.

Week7 (overall feedback)

It is good to see work with a creative process (work for symmetrical balance, decalcomania), that also shows the materials and different explorations. In addition, visual research is related to the generation of ideas.

Reflection on Exercise

Figure 37. Final work for symmetrical

Figure 38. Final work for emphasis

Final work PDF

Brief reflection for weeks 3-5

I have learned about the principles of emphasis, balance, movement, and repetition. Throughout the whole process of exploration, I found out that every successful artwork or design is a combination of a few design principles, so we have to master all kinds of design principles to create a successful design work by ourselves.