Design Principles | Task 1 : Exploration

 Week 1 - Week 3 

FEILYCIA JOY KURNIAWAN / 0373400 

Design Principles (GCD60804). / Bachelor of Design (Honors) in Creative Media 

Task 1 : Exploration  


TABLE OF CONTENTS



INSTRUCTION 

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LECTURES

Visual Communication 
  • Utilizing design to tell a message towards an audience
  • Design must be well thought-out & executed in order to achieve effective communication
  • Learn & apply elements the principles of design 
Elements of Design 

 - most simple element of design
 - a repetitive point forms a line 
 - as it moves in space, other 2D & 3D figures are made

Line 

- can be active/static, aggressive/passive, sensual/mechanical
- can indicate directions, define boundaries of shape & spaces, indicate volumes / solid masses, and suggest motion / emotion 
- can be grouped to show qualities of light and shadow, patterns, and textures

Shape

- refers to the expanse within the outline of a 2D / 3D object
- becomes visible when a line(s) enclose an area, or when there are changes in value, color, or texture
- shapes : 
               - Geometric Shapes : circles, triangle, square - tend to be regular & precise
               - Organic Shapes : irregular, curving, rounded, seem relaxed, and more informal                         compared to organic shapes

Form

- 3D area is called a form
- when form encloses space, the space itself is called volume
- a major element in sculpture & architecture 
- with 2D media (painting, drawing), form must be implied (using light, shadow)

Texture

- refers to the tactile qualities of surfaces / the visual representation of those qualities
- all surface have textures that can be experienced by touching or trough visual suggestion
- texture : 1. actual (experienced by touch) ; 2. implied ( created to look like the real texture)

Space

- indefinable, general receptacle of all things
- we see the space of surface all at once in drawings, prints, photographs, and painting
- space is defined by its edges
- yet, within the limited boundaries, an infinite number of spatial quantities can be implied
- 3D space is experienced when we are in it
- from outside, we experience mass ; from inside, we experience volume 
- space can be defined as positive (filled space) / negative (empty space)
- illusion of a 3D space can be suggested by depth 
- can be achieved by overlapping images, variation of sized, placements, and perspective

Color

- is a visual byproduct of the spectrum of light, either transmitted trough a transparent medium / it is absorbed and reflected off a surface
- color is the light wavelengths 
- 3 variables in colors ;
               - hue : color of the spectrum (yellow, green)
               - value : the lightness / darkness ( from white trough greys to black )
                      - tint = pure hue + white
                      - tone = pure hue + grey
                      - shade = pure hue + black
               - intensity / saturation / chroma : purity of a hue
                      - a pure hue is the most intense form of a given color
                      - with pigment (black/white/grey) of another hue is added to a pure hue, it is                               dulled and the intensity diminishes 
- color grouping that provide distinct color harmonies are called color schemes
- monochromatic color schemes are based on variations of value & intensity of a single value
- analogous color schemes are based on colors adjacent to the others in the color wheel, each containing the same pure hue
 complementary color emphasize 2 hues directly opposite of each other on the color wheel

 Principles of Design 

Contrast

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/235805730482686652/

- juxtaposition of strongly dissimilar elements
- without it, visual experience would be monotonous
- provides visual interest, emphasis a point and express content 

Gestalt Theory 


- human brains is wired to see pattern, logic, structure
- "gestalt" = shape / form (german)
- rules that describe how the human eye perceives visual elements 
- aim to show how complex scenes can be reduced to more simple shapes, and how the eyes perceive shapes as a single, united form
  • principle of similarity - craft a link between elements of a similar nature
  • principle of continuation - follow paths, line & curves of a design, (prefers to see a continuous flow)
  • principle of closure - complete shapes by filling in missing visual information
  • principle of proximity - ensuring related design elements are placed together
  • principle of figure/ground - objects perceived in foreground or background
  • law of symmetry & order - symmetrical elements perceived as a unified group
  • Extra : Law of Uniform Connectedness, Law of Pragnanz, Law of Common Fate.

Balance 

- distribution of visual weight 
- can be symmetrical / asymmetrical
  • symmetrical balance - equal "weight" on equal sides of a centrally placed fulcrum ( can be horizontal / vertical / diagonal ). Round element arrangement around a central point is radial balance. 
  • asymmetrical balance - unequal "weight" on each sides of the composition, one side contain a dominant element. More dynamic, give offs modernism, movement, energy, vitality, variation & complexity 
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/362962051193797909/
  • Golden Ratio - known as phi, a mathematical concept. A representative of perfect beauty and often can be found in nature. This ratio has been used as a guide to create visual balance that brings harmony, balance & structure. 
https://elementor.com/blog/golden-ratio/

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/239253798948951897/

  • Rule of Thirds - composition guideline to create dynamism. Ratio is an image divided evenly into thirds horizontally and vertically 

Scene from Queens Gambit
https://artlist.io/blog/rule-of-thirds/

Emphasis & Dominance 

- emphasis is used to create dominance and focus in a design work
- to emphasize, we can use Emphasis by : value, color, shape, texture, visual hierarchy

Further exploration - Youtube : Matthew Watt (Principles of Design: Emphasis)



Repetition - pattern & rhythm 

- repetition can make a design seem active
- repetition creates pattern and rhythm
- variety is important to avoid monotony
- creates visual excitement by enriching surface interest 

- the way design leads the eye in round & through a composition, the way the eye follows
- motion / movement occurs when objects seem to be moving
- comes in shapes, forms, lines, and curves

The Great Wave by Katsushika Hokusai
https://inklingcreative.ink/movement/

The eyes are lead from the left to the right because of the shape of the waves that creates movement

Hierarchy 

- choreography of content in a composition  to convey meaning / information
- directs viewers to the most important element first, and navigates the rest of the contents
- often can be seen in posters 


- placement of elements in a way that edges line up along common rows / columns / bodies along a common center
- creates a sense of unity & cohesion, that improves design and perceived stability 
- can lead a person through a design 


- involves the selection of elements that share a common trait
- without variety, harmony becomes monotone
- elements that fit together, may fit the same theme, style or mood 

Harmony in interior design
https://nl.pinterest.com/pin/68747022222/

Unity 

- repetition of particular element, can be shapes, colors, or materials to pull the look together
- composed in a way that are balanced & give a sense of oneness, creating a theme

https://www.flux-academy.com/blog/the-visual-design-elements-and-principles-that-make-good-design

Unity and Harmony are often hard to tell the difference, this is a visual explanation between the two 


scale is the size of one object in relation to the other objects. refers to the size and dimension of figures and forms relative to a specific unit of measure.
- can be determined in 2 ways : actual measurements (with ruler, measuring tape) ; visual estimates based on comparison
- architectural drawings are examples of the use of scale 

- proportion is the relationship of two / more elements in a composition and how the compare
- said to be harmonious 
- the effective use of proportion results in harmony and unity


Further exploration - Youtube : Cntrl+Paint ( Principles of Design: Scale & Proportion ) 



Symbols 

- a sign, shape, or object that is used to represent something else (Cambridge Dictionary, 2020)
- can convey information, equivalent to one or more sentences of text or even to a whole story 
  • pictorial symbols - image related & simplified pictures
  • abstract symbols - represents object with less details
  • arbitrary symbols - no resemblance to the object, we have to learn arbitrary symbols. Invented with the meaning constructed
Types of symbols example, Made by me in Canva

Word and Image 

- use suitable and relevant images 
- choosing the right words to pair with the image is important
- typography is the design and arrangement of text to convey a message / concept 

Visual Analysis 

Is a method of understanding design that focuses on the visual elements and principles with the purpose is to recognize the choices that a designer made in creating the design
Visual analysis is a critical part of visual literacy, it is divided into 3 phases 
  • Phase 1: Observation - closely looking & identifying the visual elements. All about looking, thinking and finding good language to communicate what you notice
  • Phase 2: Analysis - think about your observations, combine to create design principles that complete that work of design
  • Phase 3: Interpretation - find the meaning, purpose, mixed with facts you discovered during the first 2 phases

EXPLORATION 

Gestalt Theory 

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/422281211131885/
  • Using the gestalt theory specifically on the Principle of Closure
  • Utilizing the use of white space to form the girl
  • Contrast also can be seen in this work

Contrast

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/710020697542887302/

  • Using colors to make contrast
  • The high contrast between the two colors creates an interesting visual outcome
  • Using complementary colors

Emphasis

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/22025485670691837/
  • Emphasis creates a focus point on the yellow arrow 
  • Emphasis on the color, size and direction to create a new focus

Balance 

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/2533343537095738/
  • Balance on the shape
  • This piece also have repetition aspect into it, can be seen in the shape
  • A symmetrical balance can be seen and using the vertical focus point


Repetition 

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/4503668371827770/

  • Repetition on the red circles, and people
  • Utilizing white space to create focus on the main subjects
  • Design seem active, which is one of the goal for repetition

Movement 

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/42291683994872713/

  • The way the road is made is to create movement
  • Naturally, our eyes are moving from the top and moving in a spiral movement towards the lower part of the photo

Harmony & Unity

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/1095711784337846526/
  • Even though there is a lot of items in the picture, it still seem harmonious
  • The chosen colors, and textures creates unity
  • The colors, highlights, and shadows creates harmony
Symbol

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/10555380371009713/

  • Symbols, specifically abstract symbols ( represents object with less details )
  • You can see each animal presented by their symbols even when they have less details
  • These types of symbols can be made by emphasizing their silhouette / most prominent features
Word & Image

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/1337074888628905/
  • Creating visual interest by using words in design
  • Here you can see " Fired Up" which matches the typography design and the overall message
  • Emphasizing the work, and creates more interest by combining words and images


TASK 1 - Visual Analysis  
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Title : She Was Gold
Artist : Liffi Wongso
Medium : Watercolor on paper 
Year : 2020 

Liffi Wongso is one of my all time favorite Indonesian artist. From the many artwork she has made, this piece what made me fell in love with her work. The colors, composition and how it looks so airy is mesmerizing. 

The artwork itself is inspired by butterflies that are mating. The artist mentioned that the entangled mating butterflies is why she makes the drawing seems "entangled".

For me, the overall work is very well executed, with the hollow spaces between the figures, plants, and other objects, it looks intentional. The contrast between the intricate work and the plain background draw our attention straight into the main focus and making it less overwhelming for the viewers. Colors is also a huge part I am deeply amazed by this work, the color combination is a great and harmonious palette. 

Balance between the composition, layout, and colors can be seen here. And overall, when you observe the piece, the design principles are integrated and played very well in this artwork. 



FEEDBACK

Week 1 

General Feedback - Explained the task requirements 

Specific Feedback - Assigned to our lecturer

Week 2

General Feedback - try to explore more, not just from the video provided. Look for other sources, and you may come up with my own interpretation of the topic

Specific Feedback - Good progress

Week 3

General Feedback - Make sure you understand the topic well. 

Specific Feedback - Make some of the pictures larger. 


REFLECTIONS 
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Experience A fun exploration where we can see the the implementation of each principles in action. 

Observations - Design is beyond making things "look good". There are many aspect that contributes to a well thought design. However this doesn't mean we necessary need to follow all of them. These principles is there to help us reflect into our design for us to improve.

Findings Looking back at my work, I can tell there are some aspects that I lack, with these principles, I can look back and improve my designs.



 

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