Design Principles: Exercise 1
23-08-21 (Week 1)
Darren Liga // 0351480 // Bachelor of Design (Honours) in Creative Media
Design Principles
Exercise 1: Gestalt Theory & Contrast
LECTURE
Week 1: Elements & Principles of Design, Contrast, Gestalt Theory
For our first week, the teacher briefed the class on the whole module and what to expect for the upcoming weeks. We were given 2 pre-recorded lecture regarding the elements and principles of design on Microsoft Teams, 1 recorded lecture for Gestalt Theory, and another for Contrast which are 2 of the fundamentals for design. "Visual design elements and principles describe fundamental ideas about the practise of visual design." quoted from wikipedia.
Fig 1.1: The Elements of Design (30/8/21)
Gestalt Theory is a type of perception in design used by artists to create a pleasing design and/or to organize content by taking advantage of human nature of simplifying complicated objects and pattern recognization capability. It is a rule/law that describes how the human eye perceives visual elements. Gestalt also mean "shape" or "form" in German.
There are 6 types of gestalt under the principles of design which includes:
- 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 2.1: Similarity (30/8/21)
- Continuity:
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 2.2: Continuation (30/8/21)
- 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.
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 2.3: Closure (30/8/21)
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 organize or give structure to a layout.
Fig 2.4: Proximity (30/8/21)
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 2.5: Figure-Ground (30/8/21)
- 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 2.6: Symmetry (30/8/21)
INSTRUCTION
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Exercise 1
For the first exercise regarding gestalt principles i found several references
that i would like to base my design from. I would like to design an
infographic about time management with implements the use of the Gestalt
Theory due to my idea of using the clock as a base of the design which i could
maximize my potential on creating a meaningful and visually appealing design
with the help of the Gestalt law. I gathered several samples for infographics
and/or poster that has gestalt theory in them to help with my design.
Fig: 3.1: Compilation of artworks with gestalt (30/8/21)
1. Plan your day
There is nothing more satisfying than sitting down with a coffee and your
diary in front of you in the morning. Looking at everything you need to
complete sets you up perfectly for the day. Set goals and you will strive
to achieve them.
#2 Checklists
Everyone in the office is pulling you in a different direction. You
happily nod, replying 'yeah sure, I can do that' and before you know it
you have a to-do list as long as your arm! Writing everything down will
not only help you to visualize exactly what you have to do but, also, how
much you have already done (go you!).
#3 Avoid distraction
It's human nature to favor one task over another. Your Facebook is sat on
your bookmark bar, staring at you while you are trying to work ...
obviously you are going to want to click on it! Time is managed so much
more effectively when you are productive with it, so try and avoid those
oh-so-tempting message pings.
#4 Ask for help
With all the will in the world, we are only human and cannot always get
everything done. Spot a struggle and ask someone to help you out. It will
take the pressure off and free up your time.
#5 Tackle one thing at a time
You might have a million and one things to do, but you can't do them all
at once. Take each task one at a time and you will complete them much more
effectively.
#6 Use time-out wisely
'A break' doesn't mean checking your emails! Use your downtime effectively
and you will be far more productive when it comes to trying to focus on
work.
#7 Know what's urgent
Prioritizing tasks can make your to-do list that little less daunting. If
something doesn't need to be done today then don't fret about it. Use your
time wisely to complete today's deadlines only!
#8 Reward yourself!
What better incentive is there to get things done than rewarding yourself?
Whether this is a tea break after each task completed on your checklist or
a big glass of wine at the end of the day, it will definitely help you
work-mindset!
I lowered my reference for the start of the development:
I initially planned to use a color palette that i was interested at the
time, which was a warm beige like color palette with a slight contrast
of blue:
After self criticism over and over i noticed the title of the
infographic does not contrast enough with the content of the infographic
because i did not really contrasts their hierarchy. I then added even
more Gestalt Theory ideation for my infographic with typography play,
with the additional clock hand to emphasize the closure effect. This
design is my final design that concludes my first exercise.
Exercise 1 (Revised)
Fig 3.2: Sorted reference (30/8/21)
Secondly i found several ideas for the icons the icons needed for my
infographic with my chosen color palette, i then designed those icons:
Fig 3.3: Icon Development (30/8/21)
Next was my rough digital sketch for the whole infographic which i
found that my colors do not compliment the whole theme of my
infographic. I then realize i need my infographic to have a cheerful
and bright color as it is an example of a motivational design. I had
to replace my dull and "dirty" looking color palette to a bright and
packed with cheerful emotions:
Fig 3.4: Rough design 1 with dull colors (30/8/21)
The colors were then replaced to be a more suitable fit for my
infographic design. (see Fig 3.6)
Fig 3.5: Bright and cheerful color palette (30/8/21)
Fig 3.6: Progress1 with better color (30/8/21)
Fig.3.7: Final Infographic Gestalt Exercise (30/8/21)
Due to the infographic being too full with information and doesn't really
portray the gestalt principle, i had to redo the artwork to show my
understanding in this theory. For the revised version for gestalt theory i
then came up with the idea of making a plate crack. I took these pictures
to mess around in post. Since i were told the best approach for this
exercise is to combine physical work and digital, i came up with this idea
of capturing plates from my kitchen.
Fig 5.1: plate 1 (12/9/21)
Fig 5.2: background for plate (12/9/21)
I purposely used this very awkward angle for photographing the plate to
give the impression of an actually broken plate being photographed
randomly. I traced a silhouette of a couple to give it that cracked look,
hence showing gestalt.
Fig 5.3: Final idea (12/9/21)
I updated this design to be better, cleaning background, more contrast.
Final Gestalt Artwork
Fig 5.4: Gestalt Final Artwork (14/9/21)
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Fig 5.4: Final.pdf
Exercise 2
For the second exercise for contrasts, i would like to demonstrate my
understanding in the field of elements and principles of design by
capturing a silhouette. Firstly, i browed through pinterest for some
time gathering resources and ideas for my project. Reference artworks
from pinterest:
Fig 4.1: Pinterest Reference 1 (25/8/21)
Fig 4.2: Pinterest Reference 2 (25/8/21)
I then tried capturing the view from my apartment, one in daytime,
another at night. I wanted to create a contrasted image showing a side
by side view from the day and night but i wasn't able to create a
visually appealing end result due to the my lack of subject on the
landscape as there is a large forest, being fully dark at night.
I shot this image with long exposure on a tripod to make sure the
image is crisp sharp on RAW format to not compress any wanted details
as there are a lot of elements on the landscape. I then went back to
my plan of creating a silhouette. I planned to use a model to
emphasize the contrasts effect for the shot.
Fig 4.3: Night-time image (27/8/21)
Fig 4.4: Daytime image (27/8/21)
I tried using a human model to do my contrast exercise. I shot several
portraits to have more flexibility in post production using Adobe
Lightroom. Here is the raw unedited images:
Fig 4.5: Group of shots (27/8/21)
From these images, i did not set my shutter speed correctly for the
first images, which made the hair soft and blurry and i tried focusing
on the background to emphasize the contrast effect on a F/1.4 Aperture
which will have a shallow depth of field. For the second image, i
tried focusing on the foreground(subject) compared to the background.
I overexposed the sensor while still not having a fast enough shutter
speed. I tried again with my subject completely still with correct
settings. For this image I am quite satisfied with the outcome, but it
does not portray "contrast" enough. After analyzing, i concluded that
focusing on the background for shooting silhouettes would not
juxtapose the subject with the background enough, and i thought only
the play of focal point and underexposing the subject would not be
enough for me to further prove my understanding in contrasts. I then
shot this image which i had the idea in mind on what would i need to
do in post production:
Fig 4.6 Final image (raw) (27/8/21)
After several attempts on this shot, i finally got the shot i wanted.
By using the correct settings such as the shutter speed to capture
that exact expression, correct focus distance on a very high aperture
lens to help accentuate the foreground to the background more which
made the effect of separation. I then did not stop there, i processed
this shot in Adobe Lightroom to further contrast the image. I then use
the play of color temperatures as well to give more of that contrasted
sense.
Final Contrast Artwork
Fig 4.7: Contrast Final Artwork (14/9/21)
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Fig 4.7: Final Image (Processed)
In post processing, i purposely overexposed the clouds behind my
model's head to give more of that white-black contrast in conjunction
with the high aperture lens giving the image more depth. I use
Lightroom to make my subject pitch black for that perfect silhouette
look. I then played with color temperatures which made my portrait's
background warm on the bottom portion while cold on the top area,
contrasting of temperatures and distinct from my subject, again for a
more juxtaposed look.
Contrast elements present in this artwork:
- foreground - background field (bokeh on background)
Fig 5.1:foreground background contrast (17/9/21)
- weight on foreground(subject) juxtaposed with background
Fig 5.2:weight on subject contrast (17/9/21)
- silhouette (pitch black) on colored background
Fig 5.3:color b/w contrast (17/9/21)
- background color temperature (cool on top, warm below)
Fig 5.4:background temperature contrast (17/9/21)
- foreground movement on still background
Fig 5.5:foreground background movement contrast (17/9/21)
FEEDBACK
Mr. Charles mentioned that my gestalt artwork has too much information
and does not really portray my understanding in the gestalt theory.
For the revised gestalt artwork, that plate does not contrast the
table enough and the background is too messy without any composition.
Rationale should be added.
My repetition artwork could be improved by adding a silhouette of a
human in the lighted window.
RATIONALE
For my gestalt artwork I initially planned on doing infographic while
using 2 principles of gestalt (continuity for the top text) and
(proximity for the icons circling the clock) as i feel doing a usual
figure ground like the rest has been overdone. As a result, i wasn't
able to demonstrate my knowledge in the gestalt principle properly
using that method. I then had to make another artwork that in my
opinion would be very interesting, i combined traditional media with
digital. Secondly, my artwork for contrast was demonstrated using my
love for photography, i do not face any problem with this approach as
i have quite some experience in this field, both photography and
post-editing in Lightroom. I had fun doing this artwork as in the
process i thought of several contrast elements to not just portray 1
element of contrast.
REFLECTION
This first exercise taught me a lot of creative ideas and processes
that i've never knew before. Starting from rules of design to the do's
and don'ts to create an appealing artwork. This exercise will be the
base for me to continue to the next chapter of design principle that i
think would work in conjunction with the newer principles and rules
taught on a later date. From this exercise, several feedbacks and
artworks from classmates were given to help me improve. Changes could
be made from my artwork, it is no where from perfect which makes the
learning environment fun.
REFERENCES
https://www.interaction-design.org/literature/topics/gestalt-principles
https://uxmisfit.com/2019/04/23/ui-design-in-practice-gestalt-principles/
Good that to added your analysis in your composition! As you have now realised, there is so much more to explore in your approach!
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