Edwin Choo Quan Rong_0348305_Exercises

Timeframe: Week 1 - Week 4

For this exercise, we are given 9 design principles in which we choose 5 from to express them in
visual form. 

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1. Gestalt Theory
2. Contrast 
3. Emphasis
4. Balance
5. Repetition
6. Movement
7. Harmony and Unity
8. Symbol
9. Word and Image

I have chosen Contrast, Emphasis, Balance and Repetition and Movement.

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Contrast

Contrast is the juxtaposition of different / opposite elements. This could be difference in light and dark colors / lighting, rough and smooth textures or large and small shapes. 

Contrast Inspirations

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Fig 1.1 - Contrast Sketch

I attempted to mix a variety of regular and organic shapes in opposite positions with difference of colors in black and white to express contrast.

Lecturer feedback: The organic shapes, rectangles and the triangles in the center are to be removed to reduce clutter, making the design more apparent as negative space is also important.

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Fig 1.2 - Contrast Sketch (update) 

I applied Dr. Jinchi's feedback onto my first design to create an updated version with less clutter.

Lecturer feedback: Remove the four lines behind the big circle in the center.

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Fig 1.3 - Contrast Final

I decided to create this pattern for Contrast as I want to apply the juxtaposition I learnt about contrast in terms of shapes and color.

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Emphasis

Emphasis is the part of the design that stands out, the first thing that will be focused on. This acts as the main subject of the artwork, the focal point. For example, the emphasis in portraits are the faces.

Emphasis Inspirations

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Fig 2.1 - Emphasis Sketch

From what I understood about Emphasis, there's an object that stands out from the rest. So I came up with this composition of the rhombus being larger and a different color from the rest of the equal sized white triangles.

Lecturer feedback: Remove the triangles at the right column of the design and move the rhombus there. Experiment with color to bring out emphasis.

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Fig 2.2 - Emphasis Sketch (update)

I adjusted the composition and added color to showcase Emphasis. 

Lecturer feedback: It shows emphasis but the design looks way too simple.
(I agree with Dr.Jinchi on this)

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 Fig 2.3 - Emphasis Final

I decided to change my composition of Emphasis into 4 leaves with 1 of them being a different color and larger size to express emphasis.

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Balance

A design with balance shows good stability. Images such as a clear horizontal riverbed or a perfectly vertical building balanced out by symmetrical parts are pleasing to the eye.

Balance Inspirations

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Fig 3.1 - Balance Sketch

I tried to show symmetrical and radial balance in this composition by having the squares with equal size on all 4 corners and a star in the center.

Lecturer feedback: Make the shape in the center smaller.

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Fig 3.2 - Balance digital sketch

I attempted the composition in digital format and added 4 extra rectangles into the composition to enhance the symmetrical balance.

Lecturer feedback: Turn off outlines on the yellow boxes in the corners and add a transparent ring around the main shape in the center, while duplicating the rectangles on the left and right side to fit the yellow box width.

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Fig 3.3 - Balance Final

I think the adjustments and feedback really helped to improve this composition. I got to express the radial and symmetrical balance I wanted.

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Repetition

As the name suggests, repetition reuses the same elements throughout a design. A pattern can be formed with repetition and some repetitions can even form unity.

Repetition Inspirations

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Fig 4.1 - Repetition Sketch #1

This is the first repetition composition I made, repeating the same shapes in rows to form a pattern.

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Fig 4.2 - Repetition Sketch #2

This is the second composition for Repetition. I chose pointy and sharp with round and blunt shapes to create a pattern.

Lecturer feedback: Dr Jinchi said that I can work on this further. Cut off some parts in the middle and make the oval shapes in the center more round.

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Fig 4.3 - Repetition digital sketch

I applied Dr Jinchi's feedback onto a digital format. Added colors to group the patterns together.

Lecturer Feedback: Rebuild the blue pyramid but make the top less pointy and more well-rounded.

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Fig 4.4 - Repetition Final

This is the finalized artwork of Repetition. I wanted to show the repetition of the same elements in different forms.

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Movement

Movement is directed by lines, shapes or color to bring the viewer's eyes across the artwork.

Movement Inspirations

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Fig 5.1 - Movement Sketch #1

The idea is to have wind blowing from below the box allowing the ribbons to rise.

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Fig 5.2 - Movement Sketch #2

This idea is to show a man running towards the right. You can think of it as crossing the finish line with the ribbons flying about.

Lecturer feedback: Work on the man running in digital format.

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Fig 5.3 - Movement digital sketch

Applying the basic sketch into digital format and experimented with colors.

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Fig 5.4 - Movement digital sketch (update)

Added more detail and coloring and a background that can enhance the elements on it.

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Fig 5.5 - Movement Final

For the finishing touch, the color of the left arrow is lightened and blurred towards the end. With blurring added on the wind trails too so it wouldn't stand out too much to block the floor tiles the person is running on. Made shadow version of himself to show that he is going very fast he made a blur.

 

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Reflections

Week 1: The lectures of Elements & Principles of Design helped me gain a deeper understanding of the micro and macro levels of design. Elements being the basic building blocks and Principles being the fundamentals of a composition. 

Gestalt theory is rather interesting.

The Principle of Similarity tends to make our eyes see similar patterns/shapes as a group.

Principle of Continuation directs the human eye to see a flow of visual elements.

The Principle of Closure allows the human eye to perceive complete shapes even though if the visual information is missing as human eyes prefer to see complete shapes.

The Principle of Proximity states that related elements are placed close together while unrelated ones are spaced out.

The Principle of Figure/Ground are objects that can be the foreground/background, an artwork/composition with two different ways to look at it.

Law of Symmetry and Order, like the Law of Similarity, tends to unify objects that are
symmetrical as one.

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Week 2: I learnt many types of balance: symmetrical balance, asymmetrical balance and radial balance. Symmetrical balance can be mirrored, asymmetrical balance has 1 dominant element on one side while multiple lesser focal points on the other. Radial balance is when elements radiate outward from a central point. 

Emphasis is used to create dominance in a design with the usage of shapes and colors or value. 

Repetition can create rhythm in an artwork, with variety making it exciting and to avoid monotony. Variety comes in small changes of objects and elements, varying angles or exposure.

Movement is the way a design leads the eye through a composition, this can be expressed via shapes, lines, forms and curves. 

Alignment is how elements are placed that creates a sense of unity/cohesion, it can be used to lead a person through a design.

For tutorial: I learnt that having negative space in a composition is just as important as it can help your subject stand out even more.

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Week 3: I learnt that Harmony and Unity in design is when everything in a composition just fits well together in terms of same theme, style or mood. Scale and Proportion is utilized to achieve a harmonious design by creating visual hierarchy.

A symbol is to represent something via shape, object or sign, being able to
convey a thousand words by itself.

Pictorial symbols are image related and simplified images.

Abstract symbols looks like objects they depict but with less details.

Arbitrary symbols have no relation to the object they represent, with it being based on geometric shapes.

Word & Image uses suitable words and images to be paired together would deepen the meaning of the design. Using proper typeface to enhance the design. 

For tutorial: The new and further feedback helped me understand the principles of design to create better compositions.

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Week 4: For tutorial: Week 4 is when I managed to finalize most of my artworks on digital format as I have been granted Adobe access. I learnt how to apply the lessons from other classes to aid in my design for this class. I'm glad that I am able to convey what I wish to show in more ways than having it hand drawn.