DESIGN PRINCIPLES / EXERCISE 2

31/06/2021
Angelyn Valencia / 0349573 / Bachelor of Design (Hons) in Creative Media
Design Principles
Exercise 2

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Shortcuts:

• Movement Exercise
• Balance Exercise

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LECTURES

LECTURE 2 : BALANCE & EMPHASIS
Week 2: Tuesday, 31/08/2021

BALANCE

• Distribution of visual weight in a work of design
• Visual equilibrium of the elements that causes an image to appear balanced
• Can be symmetrical or asymmetrical

          Symmetrical Balance

• Has equal weights and arrangement of elements on both sides resulting in bilateral balance
• Radial balance: elements equally arranged around a central point 
• Approximate symmetry : equivalent but not identical forms arranged around a fulcrum line 

Figure 1.1 Example of Symmetrical Balance

Figure 1.2 Example of Radial Balance

Figure 1.3 Example of Approximate Symmetry

            Asymmetrical Balance

• Unequal visual weight on each side
• One side might be more dominant which could be balanced by lesser vocal points on the other side
• More dynamic, evokes modernism, movement, energy and vitality    
• Offers more variety even if it's harder to achieve

Figure 1.4 Example of Asymmetrical Balance

• The Golden Ratio
• Mathematical concept and a number that goes indefinitely. 
• The ratio comes from Fibonacci Sequence
• Representative of perfect beauty
• Used as a guide to create visual balance in architecture and paintings
• In design, it is used to bring harmony, balance, and structure to the work

Figure 1.5 The Golden Ratio

Figure 1.6 Example of Golden Ratio in Nature

Figure 1.7 Example of Golden Ratio in Design

• Rule of Thirds
• a composition guideline to create more dynamism
• divided into thirds, horizontally and vertically, and the subject is placed at the intersection or along one of those lines

Figure 1.8 Example of Rule of Thirds in Photography

Figure 1.9 Example of Rule of Thirds in Design

EMPHASIS & DOMINANCE

• Emphasis is used to create dominance and focus
• Various elements can be used o create emphasis like color, shapes, or value

Figure 1.10 Example of Emphasis and Dominance

LECTURE 3 : REPETITION & MOVEMENT

REPETITION

• could make a work of design seem active
• creates rhythm and pattern
• Variety is essential to keep rhythms active, avoiding monotony
• Pattern increases visual excitement

Figure 1.11 Example of Repetition

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.
• Movement in a visual image comes from shapes, forms, lines, and curves.

Figure 1.12 Example of Movement

HIERARCHY

• Choreography of content in a composition to communicate information
• Directs viewers to the most important info first.

Figure 1.13 Example of Hierarchy

ALIGNMENT

• Placement of elements that edges line up along common rows or their bodies along a common center.
• Creates sense of unity and cohesion, perceived as stability
• Leading a person through a design,

Figure 1.14 Example of Alignment

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INSTRUCTION

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Week 2: Balance and Movement

1. Movement

Figure 2.1 Movement Visual Research

I found these two artworks on Pinterest and I believe the first artwork shows me movement because it leads the eye in, around, and through a composition and that the object seem to be moving. I also liked the second artwork because of how flowy it is so it became my reference in creating my movement piece.

Figure 2.2 First Sketch of Movement

Figure 2.3 Final Outcome of Movement

Figure 2.3 shows my artwork for my movement exercise. I exaggerated the dress and curved the spotlight at the back to accentuate the movement in this piece. I also decided after my first sketch, to arch the dancer's back more to exaggerate it and so that the overall has one better continuous flow. I decided to do a dancer for this exercise because when I think of movement I instantly think of dance where the body moves in choreo to create an art itself. 

Figure 2.4 Final Outcome of Movement in PDF

2. Balance

Figure 2.5 Balance Visual Research

The artwork in Figure 2.5 has somewhat a symmetrical balance but in the opposite color and opposite way that makes it assymetrical in a way. I love how neat it is and the use of elements and colors to create a sort of yin and yang. Other than that, this piece inspired me to use hand as the main object in my exercise.

Figure 2.6 First Sketch of Balance

Figure 2.6 shows my first sketch of the balance exercise. I originally wanted to make a solid color background but then I decided to add several flows of smokes to show the asymmetric balance more.

Figure 2.7 Final Outcome of Balance

I chose to do a somewhat symmetrical but also asymmetrical balance for this task, where the forms on both sides are different but still balanced. The hands are in completely different poses and the flow of the smokes are not exactly the same either but still equivalent, in my opinion creating balance. In this work I wanted to create some sort of clone of the person smoking mirroring each other and still connecting as can be seen through the smoke that is connected from one cigarette to another. So the purpose is to signify a connection within oneself.

Figure 2.8 Final Outcome of Balance in PDF

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FEEDBACK

Mr. Charles said my works for exercise 2 are overall good, movement has so much emphasis and is in one  continuous flow and the balance has somewhat an unsymmetrical and symmetrical balance. I also need to organize my portfolio better so it's more effective and doesn't have to scroll very far to get to the next exercise.

REFLECTION

Week 2: 

Experience: For me, this particular topic is pretty fun, I really enjoyed learning about this and applying it in my task exercise and I feel like applying it in an exercise is part of learning as well because as I go through the process of making the designs, I keep learning and discovering new things that couldn't have been learned by just listening to lectures.

Observations: I see that Balance and emphasis plays a really big part in creating a work of design. They really have a big impact on a design if used correctly.

Findings: In this topic, particularly balance, I found out that balance isn't always symmetrical and similar, it can be completely different but equivalent in arrangement to create balance.