8th Feb 2024 - 22nd Feb 2024 (Week 1 - Week 3)
The Sower by Vincent Van Gogh
Sin Jun Ming 0364638
Design Principles / Design in Creative Media / Taylor's
University
Task 1 - Exploration
INSTRUCTIONS
LECTURES
Topic 1.1 Introduction to Elements of Design
Elements of Design
1. Point - A point or dot is the simplest element of design. A point used as
repetitive mark forms a line. As the point moves in space, other two-
and three-dimensional figures and forms are created.
Fig 1.1.1 Point
2. Line - Lines can indicate directions, define boundaries of shapes and spaces, imply
volumes or solid masses, and suggest motion or emotion.
Fig 1.1.2 Line
3. Shape - Becomes visible when a line or lines enclose an
area or when an apparent change in value (lightness/darkness), colour or
texture sets an area apart from its surroundings. Two general
categories of shapes geometric & organic.
Geometric – circles, squares, triangles, etc. – tend to be precise and
regular.
Fig 1.1.3 Geometric shapes
Organic – irregular, often curving or rounded, & seem relaxed &
more informal than geometric shapes.
Fig 1.1.4 Organic shapes
4. Form - Whereas a two-dimensional area is referred to as
a shape, a three-dimensional area is called a form. When form encloses
space, the space is called volume.
Fig 1.1.5 Form
5. Texture - Texture can refer to a surface's tactile
characteristics or to how those characteristics are represented
visually. Every surface has a texture that can be felt with the touch or
sensed visually.
Fig 1.1.6 Texture
6. Space - Space, the supposedly empty space surrounding
us, is the indescribable, universal container of everything. Drawings,
prints, photos, and paintings all show the surface space
simultaneously.
7. Colour - Colour is the visual byproduct of the spectrum
of light as it is either transmitted through a transparent medium, or as
it is absorbed and reflected off a surface. Colour is the light
wavelengths that the human eye receives and processes from a reflected
source.
Fig 1.1.8 Colour
Hue: Colours of the spectrum, e.g. yellow and green.
Value: This refers to the lightness or darkness from white
through greys to black.
Black and white pigments can be important ingredients in changing colour
values. White added to a hue produces a tint. Adding
grey to a hue would result in a tone. Black added
to a hue produces a shade of that hue.
Intensity: Also called saturation or chroma, it refers to the
purity of a hue.
Topic 1.2 Contrast and Gestalt Theory
Design Principles
1. Contrast
- the juxtaposition of strongly dissimilar
elements.
- Contrast
can provide visual interest, emphasize a point and express content.
Fig 1.2.1 Contrast
2. Gestalt Theory
- "Gestalt" refers to "shape" or "form" in
German.
- Gestalt principles or laws are rules that describe how
the human eye perceives visual elements.
- aim
to explain how the eyes perceive the shapes as a single, united form.
- Principle of Similarity - The human eye tends to perceive similar elements in a design as a complete picture, shape, or group, even if those elements are separated.
Fig 1.2.2 Principle of Similarity
- Principle of Continuation - The human eye follows the paths, lines, and curves of a design, and prefers to see a continuous flow of visual elements rather than separated objects.
Fig 1.2.3 Principle of Continuation
- Principle of Closure - The human eye prefers to see complete shapes. If the visual elements are not complete, the user can perceive a complete shape by filling in missing visual information.
Fig 1.2.4 Principle of Closure
- Principle of Proximity - The process of ensuring related design elements are placed together. Any unrelated items, should be spaced apart. Close proximity indicates that items are connected or have a relationship to each other and become one visual unit which helps to organise or give structure to a layout.
Fig 1.2.5 Principle of Proximity
- Principle of Figure/ Ground - Objects are instinctively perceived as being either in the foreground or the background. They either stand out prominently in the front (the figure) or recede into the back (the ground).
Fig 1.2.6 Principle of Principle of Figure/ Ground
- Law of Symmetry & Order - This law states that elements that are symmetrical to each other tend to be perceived as a unified group. Similar to the law of similarity, this rule suggests that objects that are symmetrical with each other will be more likely to be grouped together than objects not symmetrical with each other.
Fig 1.2.7 Law of Symmetry & Order
Topic 2 : Balance & Emphasis
1. Balance
- refers to the distribution of visual weight in a
work of design.
- visual equilibrium of the elements that causes the
total image to appear balanced.
- can be symmetrical or asymmetrical.
Symmetrical Balance
- Has equal “weight” on equal sides of a centrally placed
fulcrum.
- The equal arrangement of elements on either side of the
central axis (horizontal or vertical) resulting in 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.
Asymmetrical Balance
- 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 more lesser focal points on
the other side.
- More dynamic and interesting. It evokes feelings of
modernism, movement, energy and vitality.
- Offers more visual variety, although it can be more
difficult to achieve because the relationships between elements are more
complex.
2. The Golden Ratio
- Also known as phi, is a mathematical concept and a
number that goes on indefinitely (1.618033988749895…).
- representative of perfect beauty or is uniquely found
throughout nature.
3. Rule of Thirds
- A composition guideline to create more dynamism to a work of
design/photography/film/painting.
- 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 one of the lines itself.
4. Emphasis
- Emphasis is used to create dominance and focus in a
design work.
- Colour, shapes or value can be used to create dominance.
Topic 3 : Repetition & Movement
1. Repetition
- Repetition could make a work of design seem active.
- creates rhythm and pattern within the work.
- Pattern increases visual excitement by enriching
surface interest.
2. Movement
- 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.
3. Hierarchy
- the choreography of content in a composition to
communicate information and convey meaning.
- directs viewers to the most important information
first, and identifies navigation through secondary content.
4. Alignment
- the placement of elements in a way that edges line up
along common rows or columns, or their bodies along a common centre.
- creates a sense of unity and cohesion, which
contributes to the design's overall aesthetic and perceived stability.
Topic 4 : Harmony & Unity
1. Harmony
- involves the selection of elements that share a common
trait.
- the sense that all of the elements of your design fit
together. They may fit the same theme, aesthetic style or mood.
2. Unity
- repetition of particular elements throughout your design
— whether they’re colors, shapes or materials — to pull the look together.
- occurs when these elements are composed in such a way
that they are balanced and give a sense of oneness, creating a theme.
3. Scale
- refers to the size and dimension of figures and forms
relative to a specific unit of measure.
- used to specify or illustrate details based on the
relative sizes of objects.
- can be determined in two ways: Actual measurement
& Visual estimates based on comparison
4. Proportion
- the relationship of two or more elements in a
composition and how they compare to one another concerning size, color,
quantity, degree, setting.
Topic 5 : Symbol, Word & Image
1. Symbol
- A sign, shape, or object that is used to
represent something else.
- can provide or convey information, equivalent to one
or more sentences of text, or even a whole story.
PICTORIAL SYMBOLS - Image-related and simplified pictures.
ABSTRACT SYMBOLS - can look like the objects that they represent
but have less details.
ARBITRARY SYMBOLS - have no resemblance at all to the objects
or the ideas they represent. invented with the meaning constructed.
Many are based on geometric shapes and colours.
2. Word and Image
- Imagery is a vital part of design, be it print
or digital. Users and viewers are able to relate to a concept or a
brand if the right images are used in a work of design. It is
therefore important to use suitable and relevant images when
designing.
- Choosing the right words to pair with the imagery is
of high importance as it would deepen the meaning of the design.
Suitable typeface and strategic positioning of the type will result in
visual hierarchy and balance in a work of design.
- Typography is the design and arrangement of text to
convey a message or concept.
Fig 5.4 Word and Image
Task 1 - Exploration
Artist: Vincent Van Gogh
Year: 1888
Medium: Oil on canvas
Size: 25.6 x 19.7 inches (65 x 50 cm)
The goal that I have picked from the United Nations' Sustainable Development
Goals (UNSDG) is the second goal which is "Zero Hunger". Hunger is a major
crisis in the world as it takes away lives. The purpose of this goal is to
end hunger, achieve food security and improve nutrition and promote
sustainable agriculture.
I chose Vincent van Gogh's "The Sower" to represent UNSDG Goal 2 "Zero
Hunger". The reason that I chose this artwork is because it is related to
"Zero Hunger" and the sun implies the hope to end the hunger which I
think is interesting. The dark yellow sky creates tension which implies
the problem - hunger, faced in 19th Century. The colourful paddy
field gives me a sense of energy and hopefulness, this emphasize that
paddy field can end the hunger. By looking closely at the
paddy field, all of the lines are pointing towards the sun which create eye
direction, and eye direction is crucial in a good design work.
(111 words)
Design Principles used:
- Contrast
- Emphasis
- Unity
- Alignment
- Asymmetrical Balance
FEEDBACK
Week 2
The things that important when observing a particular design work is the feeling of yourself, the way the design work lead your eyes, the way that the design work tells you stories. The artwork picked is related to UNSDG's goal 2, the design principles found are legit, overall progress is on track.
Week 3
I asked Dr. Charles about the design principle movement in this design work because the lines on the paddy field are pointing towards the sun and hence create eye direction. Mr. Charles pointed out that it is alignment instead of movement, and he also mentioned eye direction is crucial in a good design work.
REFLECTION
Through this module, I learnt about the details of each design elements and also as the name of this module - design principle. Although the whole lecture sessions were held online, the information and instructions were clear to understand. I also learnt about the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDG) and noticed how important it is to be aware by people around the world. It includes problems that exist since hundred years ago, and they are still remain unsolved. It is important for people to raise awareness about UNSDG for a better future.
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