Design Principles: Exercises
4.1.2022 - 21.1.2022 (Week 1- Week 3)
Tan Yi-Tyng (0353327)
Bachelor of Design (Hons) in Creative Media
Design Principles
Exercises
INDEX
LECTURES
Week 1
In our first lecture on design principles, we were briefed on the module
information booklet and explained what we should include in our blog by
giving us examples of some senior blogs. Then, Dr. Charles introduced the
elements of visual design, which are Element & Principle of design and
Gestalt Theory. Before the end of our class, Dr. Charles gave us a class
activity, and we could use any alphabet in our name to design our own
monogram. Then Dr. Charles will be commenting on each of our designs. After
our class, there are also some extra lecture videos explained by Dr. Jinchi
to further explain visual elements in design. Through this week of lecture,
I have got a lot of understanding of various design elements and principles.
Understanding and well using visual elements is the most important part of
creating an effective and attractive composition in design.
Week 2
Before our tutorial section, Dr Charles has created a class activity, and
we need to listen to the music played by Dr Charles and draw it out what
comes out in our mind by using simple design elements. Dr Charles also
suggests us to close our eyes and feel the tempo and rhythm of the music.
I felt very enjoyed participating in these activities, as we are taught to
use this way to motivate and express our creativity. Through these
activities, we could also learn from each other's design artworks and I'm
so amazed and admired what my classmates have created their works. Then Dr
Charles proceeded to the tutorial section.
Week 3
Due to the public holiday, we only have one class for this week. Firstly,
Dr Charles has a further explanation for us about the process of design
thinking. I remember how he explained that "every design in the world are
based on the user's needs" "design thinking has to always start with
understanding the user requirement, even community or individual. Next, Dr
Charles has briefed us on the new assignment, which is Project 1-self
portrait. Project 1 is about required us to express ourselves, and a
summary of ourselves regarding our life experienced such as hobby,
culture, favourite food, etc. This project will not limit us, and we can
use any medium to express our idea. Dr Charles has also shown a class demo
for us and shared his design process to make us more clear on completing
our assignment.
Topic 1.1 Elements & Principles of Design
Elements of design
The elements of design are the building blocks, they refer to variety
types of parts that can be combines and arranged in a different ways to
construct your design projects.
|
| Fig.1 Element of Design |
1. POINT
A point is one of the most basis visual element of design. A series of
connected points can be form as a line.
|
| Fig.2 Point |
|
| Fig. 3 using a series of points to create an artwork |
2.LINE
Line can be divided into many different types. Such as, straight, curved,
thick, thin, solid and dashed. The directionality of a line with the
composition of oblique or slanted line will also give a sense of movement
and dynamism. A grouped of line can also represent qualities of light and
shadow to form pattern and textures.
|
| Fig.4 types of lines |
|
| Fig. 5 draw out a girls using line only |
3.SHAPE
Shape is defined by the boundaries and are limited to two-dimensional area
.So it’s flat and nature
There can separate into two type of shapes, one which is geometric shape
that tend to be precise and regular (circles, squares, triangle) or
organic shape which are more nature and freeform.
|
|
Fig. 6 Geometric shape |
|
| Fig.7 Organic shape |
4.FORM
Form can be described as a three-dimensional object and the space is
called volume when the space is encloses. Besides , a form can also be
created with two-dimensional through media such as painting, illustration
or drawing.
5.TEXTURE
Texture is the appearance of a surface material. There are two type of
textures.
Actual texture: experiences by touch
Implied texture: create the illusion of the surface material to
look like the real texture
|
| Fig. 8 Actual texture |
|
| Fig. 9 Implied texture |
6.SPACE
Space is the distance or area between, around or within objects. Space can
be defined as positive space and negative space. The positive space of a
design refers to the actual object itself that are easily be focused that
filled space in the artwork. Negative space is the background or the area
that surrounds the subject of the design. While we can experience the
three- dimensional space when we are in it.
|
| Fig. 10 Space |
7.COLOUR
Colour is the amount of light spectrum reflects when light falls on a surface.
The parts which reach our eyes is perceived as the colour of the object.
|
| Fig. 11 Colour spectrum |
Characteristic of colour:
- Hue : is where a colour is positioned on the colour wheel.
Technically the hue is the colour which it a design element in itself.
|
|
Fig. 12 Hue |
- Value : is refers to the darkness or lightness of a colour from
white through greys to black. Black and white pigments can be important
ingredients in changing the colour values. White added to a hue produces a
tint, Grey added to a hue produces a tone, Black added to a hue produces a
shade.
|
|
Fig. 13 Value |
|
| Fig. 14 Saturation |
Colour schemes are generally created by selecting and combining two,
three or four colours in a palette.
- Monochromatic: any set of colour that all have the same
hue with different levels of white tinting and black shading.
- Analogous: colour schemes are a group of 3 colours that are
adjacent to each other on the colour wheel.
- Complementary: Colours from opposite positions on the colour
wheel
|
| Fig. 15 Color scheme |
Principle Of Design
The principles of design refers to some combinations of design
elements to create an effective and attractive visual
composition.
|
| Fig. 16 Principle of design |
1. Contrast
2. Balance
3. Emphasis
4. Rules of Third
5. Repetition/Pattern/Rhythm
6. Movement
7. Hierarchy
8. Alignment
9. Harmony
10. Unity
11. Proportion
Topic 1.2: Contrast & Gestalt Theory
Gestalt Theory
Gestalt theory are the principles of human perception defined
a group of similar elements, easily recognize pattern and
simplify complex images into more simple form.
|
| Fig. 17 Type of Gestalt Theory |
When the elements in a design appear with similar
characteristics to each other, viewers will often visually
group them together and tend to think they have the same
function. They can be grouped by colour, shape, size or
texture.
|
Fig.18 Similarity
|
Continuation
Human eye tends to see a continuous flow of visual elements
follow with the path, lines and curved of a design rather than
separated objects.
|
| Fig. 20 Continuation |
Closure
When human eye sees a visual elements that has missing parts,
our brain will automatically filing in the missing
visual information with perceiving a complete
shape.
|
| Fig.21 Closure |
Proximity
The arrangement of the elements are close together, we tend
to perceive them as a group or more related to each
other.
|
| Fig.22 Proximity |
The eye’s tendency to perceive the objects as whether being
the foreground or the background where can be show that
contain two different images.
|
|
|
Balance
The way of visual elements are distributed properly, so that
the composition of the design gives a feeling of stability.
There are three types of balance.
Symmetrical Balance- mirror image balance of a central line
with the same weight
Asymmetrical Balance- Unequal visual weight on either side of
a central line, however those unequal visuals need to balance
each other.
Radial Balance- Visual elements are arranged around a central
point in the composition. It can create a focal point and lead
viewers eye towards the center.
The golden ratio
A mathematical ratio that can be apply in design to creates a
composition with harmony ,balance, and aesthetic.
Rules of third
Place a grid overlay on an image or design and divided
equally into thirds, both horizontally and vertically, the
subject is placed at the intersection of those dividing
lines.
Emphasis
Draw the viewers’ attention to a specific part of a visual
element with colour, line, shape or texture.
Topic 3: Repetition and Movement
Repetition
Repeating one of the element through the design to creates a certain
consistency.
Movement
Design that using a path to leads the viewer’s eye through a
composition by using shape, form, line or curved.
Hierarchy
Guide the viewer’s eye to perceive the most important information
first by using the arrangement of the visual element in a
composition.
Alignment
The placement of elements that line up along common rows or columns
to group elements and create a sense of unity.
Topic 4: Harmony and Unity
Harmony
The selection of elements that have similarity to create a sense of
togetherness with others separated parts.
Unity
By using the repetition of elements such as colours, shapes or
material throughout the design to create a senses of oneness.
Topic 5: Symbol, Word and Image
Symbol
A sign, shape, or object that is used to represent something
else.
Pictorial symbols- image related and simplified
pictures
Abstract symbols- look like the objects that they
represent but have less details
Arbitrary symbols- no visual similarity to the objects, we
have to learn it as the symbol is created and decided on their
meaning.
Word and Image
Using a relevant images or texts will easily convey the viewers
to relate to a message and concept or a brand.
VISUAL RESERACH
Exercise 1 (Gestalt Theory)
After studying and understanding all principles of design, the gestalt
principle of figure-ground has left a strong impression on me. The
principle of figure-ground is defined as that viewers naturally perceive
the objects as either being in the foreground or background. They either
stand out prominently in the front (the figure) or recede into the back
(the ground). I thought this principle was so fascinating, and I believe
that this would be very interesting if I could apply this principle in
my exercise. Then, I started to look through or get inspiration from
some references online.
Several designs that I found how good they apply gestalt theory in
their artwork:
|
|
|
Exercise 2 ( Emphasis )
For the second exercise, I narrowed down my choices into either using
the principle of contrast or emphasis and thinking of the theme that I
could use in my exercise. Then, I tried to look online for some
inspiration on how to apply it to designs. I found this artwork on
Pinterest ( Fig. 27 ), this artwork showcases an abstract human figure
taking out a piece of the puzzle with its eye on it. I was very
impressed with this creative puzzle concept. So, I decided to use this
concept and create a design based on the principle of emphasis for my
second exercise.
Emphasis is the principle of making one area as a centered interest
in an artwork to catch viewers' attention to that part. Usually
achieved by colour, size, texture or shape to make it contrast with
other areas.
|
| Fig. 27 Reference |
|
|
|
IDEA EXPLORATION AND DESCRIPTION
Exercise 1
During this brainstorming process, I searched lots of artwork to get
inspiration. I wasn't expecting that I had spent 3 days all day and all
night sitting in front of the screen still haven't gotten out an idea
for my exercise. To be honest, I feel pressure in this process as I
attempt to sketch and brainstorm a few design ideas, but I am still not
satisfied with those ideas and wasn't quite sure about what I
wanted.
Suddenly, I found this artwork on Behance (Fig. 30), which well
uses of figure-ground with alphabet. It shows a hand with a black
background. The object can be perceived as either the hands or H
alphabet with solid black. This artwork had also inspired me that
the hand posture can show the sign of help. It reminds me of a topic that I have been paying close attention to
lately: ' Girls help Girls.' This is a movement that has swept
through pop culture, highlighting the essential part of feminism as
being the mutual support of women by other women. It encourages
women to lift each other rather than tearing each other down.
|
| Fig. 30 Inspiration |
Thus, I wanted to bring out this topic and use it as my theme in my
exercise. The initial idea that came up in my mind was to
incorporate women's hair to shape out the silhouette of a hand.
However, when I roughly sketch it out (Fig. 31), it doesn't fit what
I want to achieve the principle of figure-ground. Then, I decided to
draw it in another way.
|
| Fig. 31 Initial idea sketches |
I started off by searching lots of hand postures and trying to see
whether I could create a design about girls and link up with hand
posture. Surprisingly, when I rested and lay on my bed, putting my
hand up and trying different hand postures to look for any
inspiration. I suddenly noticed that my hand had shaped out a women
side face, and I can use this idea in my drawing. So, I quickly
asked my father to help me take photos of my hand, and I started to
do some sketches on it.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Fig.36 'Girls help Girls' |
Exercise 2
With that concept in mind, I tried to think of what theme I could use
for my exercise to make it more attractive. I wanted the theme for my
artwork to signify something that relates to our daily life. Then I came
up with the idea of the topic of our recent life, which is the Covid 19
pandemic. This make the viewer more relatable when viewing this artwork.
Then I began to draw up some sketches for my idea. First, I tried to
sketch out a human figure and attempt on changing the different
proportions of the hand posture to be more normal looking in the
composition (Fig. 37).
|
| Fig. 37 Sketches for different posture |
After sketching out the outline of the human, I started to colour the
whole body with black and draw the puzzles on it. Besides, I want to
make the face mask as the focal point and emphasize it in this
artwork. So I decided to use red colour for the face mask to make it
more outstanding as red is one of the most visible and attractive
colours to create a contrast effect with the body. Next, I drew the
two puzzles that holding by the human.
|
| Fig. 38 Sketch (show my progress during the tutorial) |
After the consultation with Dr Charles, he suggests me to colour the two
puzzles with grey. Then I coloured it with grey and added a drop shadow
for the puzzles, so it didn't look flat. Furthermore, I'm concerned that
the background was a little bit empty, so I gave colour to the
background with a light yellow and light brown. The reason why I used
two colours for the background is mainly to let the viewers visually
perceive that there are two parts (upper body and lower body) in the
whole composition.
|
| Fig. 39 Final Outcome |
FEEDBACK
Exercise 1
Dr Charles has compliment that the overall design for this exercise 1 is
good. He can quickly notice and perceive this artwork using the gestalt
principle of figure-ground. And he said that there doesn't need to change
anything, very nice.
Exercise 2
Dr Charles has mentioned that my idea for this second exercise was
very interesting. I have told him that I'm concerned that the
background is too empty and doesn't emphasize the face mask strongly.
However, Dr Charles thought that overall is okay, the background
doesn't make him feel empty, and he also stated that he could observe
the mask have a high contrast and stand out in this composition.
Furthermore, Dr Charles said that it depends on whether I want to
maintain the background white, or he suggested that I try out
different colours with some off white, cream, or slightly light pink
colour. Besides, he also advised me to try to colour the two being
held puzzles can be coloured with grey. Lastly, he said that there's a
very nice balanced composition in this artwork.
FINAL OUTCOME
Exercise 1 (Gestalt Theory)
|
| Fig. 40 Gestalt Final Outcome (Title: Girls help Girls) |
PDF:
Girls help Girls
In my final edits, I decided to rotate the artboard from landscape to
portrait. This will show the side face of the girls will be more
obvious to notice. Besides that, I decided to change the background
colour from white to red to make the hand stand out more and the
background will not look empty. Red can represent the symbolism of
courage, energy and make it a powerful colour in design. The purpose
of using this hand posture is to show the sign of lending a hand to
others that needs helps. And I designed the composition with the hand
silhouette and shaped out a girls side profile. I'm very pleased with
the outcome, as this exercise has well used and incorporated hand and
girls as a principle of figure-ground. It positively expressed the
strong purpose and called out the movement of "girls help girls" hope
to improve the prospects for at risk girls and inspire all of us to
change the world.
Exercise 2 (Emphasis)
|
| Fig. 41 Emphasis Final Outcome (Title: Missing Parts) |
PDF:
Missing Parts
Face masks have become an integral part of our daily life in the
effort to prevent the spread of Covid-19. This artwork has truly
reflected how we have currently faced the situation of the covid -19
pandemic period for almost 2 years. One of the main problems that have
always troubled us is that we were trying very hard to read others
facial expression and infer their emotion as we could only observe
through their eyes. Furthermore, speaking with a mask, we could also
face the problem of communication as wearing masks will make our sound
muffled. And even we had to face the difficulty to recognize our new
friend face.
For my design, I decided to create a composition showcasing human
features (eyes & nose) replaced by a face mask. As the main object
and focal point is the face mask, I emphasize it by using a bright red
colour. This will be clearly connected to the theme of this artwork.
When thinking up the idea for the puzzle concept, I came up with the
idea that the features can be flexible to take in and out. Therefore,
we can notice in this artwork the nose on the puzzle and the mouth on
the puzzle are taken out as it covered by the face mask.
When seeing this artwork, I ask myself, where are the missing pieces
of the puzzle on the face? OHH! The man is holding it, but when can I
put back the puzzles right to the original place..?
REFLECTION
To be honest, I felt very stressed at first of the brainstorming process
that I needed to be concerned about the theme, medium and principle of
design all at once. However, I was trying to calm myself, and I remember
how Dr Charles has constantly reminded us that we need to take time to
enjoy and have fun in the process of doing our assignment. If not, we will
limit our creativity. Although sometimes I have some doubt and unconfident
of myself on creating my design artwork, after the consultation with Dr
Charles, he has given me a lot encourage and compliment on my work, which
makes me more confident and motivated on myself. After completing the
exercises, I have clearly understood all of the principles of design and
know how to choose the right one to apply to my design. I have learned so
much while brainstorming ideas and getting inspiration from others'
stunning works. Besides, during the tutorial section, I have also learned
a lot from my classmates on how creative they are to express their
creativity and skills in their exercise. Lastly, I was satisfied with how
the final outcome turned out, and it really motivated my creativity to
create better work in the future.
REFERENCE & FUTHER READING
Fig.1-
https://www.thoughtco.com/what-are-the-elements-of-art-182704
Fig.2- https://vanseodesign.com/web-design/points-dots-lines/
Fig.3- https://pin.it/Qx6XeH2
Fig.4- https://254-online.com/line-visual-element-graphic-design/
Fig.5- https://pin.it/7fLVQT4
Fig.6- https://helpingwithmath.com/2-dimensional-geometric-shapes/
Fig.8-
https://www.blendspace.com/lessons/TU4Ko7Y9m3liDA/element-of-design-texture
Fig.9- https://pin.it/5mCkdev
Fig.10-https://www.edgee.net/how-to-apply-the-7-elements-of-design-to-your-work-element-3-space/
Fig.12-
https://www.qed42.com/insights/coe/design/hue-color-story-basic-understanding-colors
Fig.15- https://www.pinterest.com/pin/365847169701936440/
Fig.16-
https://www.wix.com/blog/2018/07/7-principles-of-design-websites/
Fig.17-
https://medium.muz.li/gestalt-principles-in-ui-design-6b75a41e9965
Fig.18-
https://www.interaction-design.org/literature/article/the-law-of-similarity-gestalt-principles-1
Fig.19- https://pin.it/6cVpand
Fig.20- https://pin.it/3k09T7r
Fig.21- https://pin.it/5xMK5bD
Fig.22- https://www.usertesting.com/blog/gestalt-principles
Fig.23- https://pin.it/5sLLBXr
Fig.24- https://pin.it/6gbbeEU
Fig.25- https://pin.it/3a7KkPH
Fig.26- https://pin.it/3jylVF2
Fig.27- https://pin.it/5lqCjwM
Fig.28- https://pin.it/ee17qun
Fig.29- https://pin.it/6Y3Ayq4
Fig.30-
https://www.behance.net/gallery/101617667/W-Figure-and-Ground-Project
Fig.34-
https://image.shutterstock.com/image-photo/image-pretty-young-redhead-woman-260nw-1405524575.jpg
Fig.35-
https://image.shutterstock.com/image-photo/image-pretty-young-redhead-woman-260nw-1405524575.jpg
https://www.thegryphon.co.uk/2018/11/12/is-girls-support-girls-unconditional/
.jpeg)
Well done!!! The amazing thing about your design solutions, is the conscious attempt to create your statement! I hope this will continue to motivate you to find strong reasons to use design principles for advocacy!
ReplyDelete