Sample Lecture Notes
CHAPTER
4
"THE PRINCIPLES OF DESIGN"
The
principles of design, unlike the elements, are NOT ABSOLUTE rules. They
are guidelines for good design strategy for a two-dimensional surface,
a three-dimensional mass, or an architectural structure. Artists study
them to work toward achieving "good" or "solid" design
in their work as well as to communicate a message. (For instance if an
image is repeated (repetition) then will it not have some influence on
the "message" the artist is trying to convey?) The patron /
student (you) study the principles (and elements) to see how design affects
the general public and perhaps the intention of the artist.
Unity
& Variety
-Unity refers to "oneness."
-Variety refers to diversity or visual interest.
-Unity keeps a work together while variety makes it interesting to look
at. The text gives examples of work and discussion that further explains
these seemingly opposing ideas in design.
Balance
It's the achievement of equilibrium. We often want balance in our lives
- plenty of play time to balance the work load - We crave this in visual
art too. (or anything visual for that matter... we feel awkward when we
see someone who has lost a limb do we not? The symmetry or balance that
we are used to is gone.)
- Symmetrical Balance
- is having that idea of a centerline running down the middle, the left
side matches the right side. Works of art are typically not perfectly
symmetrical but the visual weight of subjects are very much the
same (see Frida Kahlo's Two Fridas)
Architecture thrives on symmetry. Any asymmetrical buildings you see
these days still cause a double take.
- Asymmetrical Balance-
The two sides are not the same but other "tricks" are used
to "balance" the work visually so that it is not horrid to
look at.
Some of those tricks? see the text book where these are discussed and
attempt to "draw" what they are describing.
Most of the time - "if it feels right or looks right (balanced
or normal) it is"
Emphasis
& Subordination
Emphasis draws our attention to the most IMPORTANT thing while all of
the other areas fall into subordination (support status). There are many
ways to achieve emphasis - using the elements of design. For instance,
a high contrast area (BLACK beside WHITE) in a sea of gray will stand
out -(be emphasized). Bright color in a sea of dull color, and linear
direction can "point out" an area of interest...etc...
Directional
Forces
Read the chapter section on this "principle." I don't really
put this one in my list of "principles" of design although it
may very well be. I like to refer to this more when discussing the "element"
LINE. (see chapter 3 "line" section).
Contrast
(Good used of VALUE!)
As with Directional Forces, this has never been an principle before and
I don't know why it is now. Contrast is most often used in discussing
value (you know?, the measure of light and dark) When you have a white
square against a black square (checkers) you have high contrast. The explanation
that the text gives is a good one...but I prefer to discuss "contrast"
in context with the element "value"....er...light in your book.
Repetition
& Rhythm
Repetition gives a work unity, continuity, flow. Rhythm gives the work
a cadence almost like music where elements are repeated but varied too.
THINK MUSIC HERE. Play some music and listen for the repeating sounds
and listen to the repeating rhythm... that is happening in good VISUAL
art as well even though most of us are not "trained" in picking
up on it.
Scale
& Proportion
Scale is the size of an object in relation to another thing.
Proportion is the size of a part of a thing to its own self.
We say, "That is a big man standing next to that tiny car."
- referring to scale - because we know the general size
of men and cars. We can say, "That big man has a big nose for such
a tiny little head" referring to proportion - because
we know big noses and tiny heads too!
...and the book goes off on some "eyeball games" to describe
this...whatever.
Hierarchical scale is the odd use of scale which shows the IMPORTANCE
of one or more persons in the image. - See the works for the Egyptian
tomb painting...
READ
THE !!! DESIGN SUMMARY !!! THE SECTION USES SOME GOOD ART LANGUAGE.
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