Design Principle - Exercise 2

11/4/2022 - 22/4/2022 week 2 - week 4

Lee Yan Xu 0347696

Design Principle / Bachelor of Design in Creative Media

Topic 2: Balance and Emphasis

Topic 3: Repetition and Movement

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Lectures

Topic: Balance and Emphasis

Balance refers to the distribution of visual weight in a work of design. It is the visual equilibrium of the elements that cause the total image to appear balanced and can be symmetrical or asymmetrical.

The symmetrical balance has equal "weight" on equal sides of a centrally placed fulcrum.

Fig 1, Symmetrical Balance 1

Fig 2, Symmetrical Balance 2

The asymmetrical balance is unequal visual weight on each side composition.

Fig 3, Asymmetrical Balance 1

Fig 4, Asymmetrical Balance 2

The Golden Ratio and the Rule of Thirds are also one of the most important things that a designer has to know. The Golden Ratio also known as phi, the Golden Ratio is a mathematical concept and a number that goes on indefinitely (1.618033988749895…). The ratio itself comes from the Fibonacci sequence, a naturally occurring sequence of numbers that can be found everywhere, from the number of leaves on a tree to the shape of a seashell. The Rules of Thirds is a composition guideline to create more dynamism in a work of design/ photography/ film/ painting. 

Over the centuries, many have perceived the Golden Ratio as the representative of perfect beauty or is uniquely found throughout nature. The Golden Ratio has been used for centuries as a guide to creating visual balance in architecture and paintings. 

Fig 5, the Golden Ratio 1

Fig 6, the Golden Ratio 2

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 with one of the lines itself.

Fig 6, the Rule of Thirds

Fig 7, the Rule of Thirds

Emphasis is used to create dominance and focus in design work. There are also various elements that can be used to create emphasis, such as colour, shapes, or value, to achieve dominance.

Fig 8, Emphasis 1

Fig 9, Emphasis 2

Fig 10, Emphasis 3

Topic: Repetition and Movement

Repetition could make a work of design seem active. The repetition of elements of design creates rhythm and pattern within the work. Other than that, variety is essential to keep rhythms exciting and active and to avoid monotony. The pattern of repetition also increases visual excitement by enriching surface interest. 

Fig 11, Repetition 1

Fig 12, Repetition 2

The way a design leads the eye in, around, and through a composition - the path the eye follows. The motion or movement in a visual image occurs when objects seem to be moving in a visual image. Furthermore, movement in a visual image comes from the kinds of shapes, forms, lines, and curves that are used. 

Fig 13, Movement 1

Fig14, Movement 2

Fig 15, Movement 3

The next one is Hierarchy. Hierarchy is the choreography of content in composition to communicate information and convey meaning. The visual hierarchy directs viewers to the most important information first and identifies navigation through secondary content. 

Fig 16, Hierarchy 1

Fig 17, Hierarchy 2

After hierarchy is alignment. Alignment is the placement of elements in a way that edges line up along common rows or columns, or their bodies along a common center. Alignment also creates a sense of unity and cohesion, which contributes to the design's overall aesthetic and perceived stability. In addition, alignment can also be a powerful means of leading a person through a design.

Fig 18, Alignment 1

Fig 19, Alignment 2

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Instruction

Exercises

As we have learned the new topic which is balance and emphasis and another topic which is repetition and movement, we need to choose one from each topic to create a new design. We were allowed to do the visual research to do our final outcomes. Finally, My choices are balance and repetition. But after I get the feedback from Dr. Jin Chi, I changed my repetition into movement. 

These images are my visual research on balance.

Fig 20, Ying and Yang

Fig 21, Sun

Fig 22, Moon

This is my outcome. I combined the sun and moon into the Ying and Yang to become a new artwork.

Fig 23, Balance by Lee Yan Xu

These images are my visual research on repetition.

Fig 24, Keith Haring. Plansch

Fig 25, How Are Patterns Used in Art

This is my outcome. I use the square to make my repetition but it looks more like movement so I decide to change my artwork to movement.

Fig 26, Repetition by Lee Yan Xu

After getting feedback from Dr. Jin Chi, I have change my final artwork as below.

Fig 27, Balance by Lee Yan Xu

Fig 28, Movement by Lee Yan Xu

Fig 29, Final outcome of balance and movement in PDF

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Feedback

For the balance, Dr. Jin chi said that my design is almost the same as Ying and Yang so I have to add some different elements to it so it can be more original. For the repetition, she said that my design looks more like movement so I decide to change my repetition into movement.

Reflection

Exercise 2 is quite challenging compared to exercise 1 so I think this can practice me to improve myself from such activities, be more sensitive to the art, and can have more creative ideas.