Design Principles: Exercise 3
14-09-21 (Week 4)
Darren Liga // 0351480 // Bachelor of Design (Honours) in Creative Media
Design Principles
Exercise 3: Harmony & Unity
LECTURE
Lecture 4: Harmony & Unity
Harmony
- Harmony involves the selection of elements that share a common trait.
- Harmony becomes monotony without variety.
- Harmony is the sense that all of the elements of your design fit together.
They may fit the same theme, aesthetic style or mood.
In the painting below the harmonious, repeating rectangles are relieved by the
contrasting round forms of the pots and flowers. The overall warm color
harmony is given relief by the cool green shutters. Grouping the subordinate,
contrasting organic shapes reinforces the focal point.
Fig 1.1: Harmony example (19/9/21)
Unity
- Unity refers to the repetition of particular elements throughout your
design — whether they’re colors, shapes or materials — to pull the look
together.
- Unity occurs when these elements are composed in such a way that they
are balanced and give a sense of oneness, creating a theme.
- Although unity and harmony may sound similar, they each play distinct
roles in the way we experience design.
Fig 1.2: Unity example (19/9/21)
Scale & Proportion
- Scale and proportion are both design elements that have to do with size.
- Scale is the size of one object in relation to the other objects in a
design or artwork.
- Proportion refers to the size of the parts of an object in relationship to
other parts of the same object.
- Throughout the centuries, designers have used scale and proportion to
depict or distract from the ideal.
Fig 1.3: scale&proportion example (19/9/21)
Scale
Scale refers to the size and dimension of figures and forms relative to a
specific unit of measure.
Scale can be determined in:
- Actual Measurements
- Visual estimates based on comparison
Fig 1.4: scale example (19/9/21)
Architectural drawings and scale models are examples of the applied use of
scale.
Scale is also used to specify or illustrate details based on the relative
sizes of objects.
Substantial deviation from a normal scale relationship can create dramatic
results and visual interest within the design or composition.
Proportion
- Proportion in art and design is the relationship of two or more elements
in a composition and how they compare to one another with respect to size,
color, quantity, degree, setting, etc.; i.e. ratio.
- Proportion is said to be harmonious when a correct relationship exists
between the elements with respect to size or quantity.
- The effective use of proportion in design often results in harmony and
unity.
Fig 1.5: proportion example (19/9/21)
Lecture 5: Symbol, Word & Image
Symbol
In the design world, a symbol is a combination of graphic elements that can
be used to represent a brand's identity, communicating its story and
influencing the way it is perceived by consumers.
- A sign, shape, or object that is used to represent something else
- In design, symbols can provide or convey information, equivalent to one
or more sentences of text, or even a whole story
Fig 2.1: symbol example (19/9/21)
Also called a pictogram, pictograph, or simply picto, and in computer usage an
icon, is a graphic symbol that conveys its meaning through its pictorial
resemblance to a physical object.
Image-related and simplified pictures.
Fig 2.2: pictorial symbol example (19/9/21)
Abstract Symbols
An abstract mark is a specific type of pictorial logo. Instead of being a
recognizable image.
Can look like the objects that they represent but have less details. Usually
this can be used for creating logos.
Fig 2.3: abstract symbol example (19/9/21)
Arbitrary Symbols
A linguistic sign (a written or spoken word) that bears no obvious resemblance
to the thing or concept signified. Arbitrary symbols have no resemblance at
all to the objects or the ideas they represent.
The symbol is invented with the meaning constructed. Many are based on
geometric shapes and colors.
Fig 2.4: Arbitrary symbol example (19/9/21)
Word & 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 2.5: word&image example (19/9/21)
INSTRUCTIONS
<iframe
src="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1awHthuptrzIqUsJLkhFWhZgqbJTk2Jvp/preview"
width="640" height="480" allow="autoplay"></iframe>
Exercise 3
Unity & Harmony
For harmony and unity, i chose this artwork to further demonstrate my
understanding for this area in design. I like this artwork because its a
cropped in version of the traditional painting by Michelangelo called "The
Creation of Adam". I had a lot of brainstorming session for creating this
artwork because i had a hard time planning on what to do with this exercise.
I then wanted to go with the basic building blocks of arts which is dots and
lines. I used this reference and decided to create a pointillism artwork.
Fig 3.1: Reference for artwork
Fig 3.2: Initial harmony & unity artwork
Fig 3.3: raw image for artwork
From this image, i used the pen tool in illustrator to create a vector
silhouette of the subject.
Fig 3.4: Pen tool tracing
I then created a new document to create my unity artwork from this silhouette.
Fig 3.5: Unity artwork in il
Final Unity Artwork
Fig 3.6: Final Unity Artwork
<iframe
src="https://drive.google.com/file/d/17R_kEu0y79XSbwn2bN1bXcDKufpYi-tA/preview"
width="640" height="480" allow="autoplay"></iframe>
Word and Image
For this part of the exercise, from Dr Charles recommendation for ideas, i
took a photo of my eyes which im going to edit in post. This is the raw image.
Fig 3.7: raw image for eye shot
Fig 3.8: cropping in to focus on the eye
Fig 3.9: text play
Final Word and Image artwork
Fig 3.10: final word and image artwork
<iframe src="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1tf7F6TywcMEBrGW0kqb-iroy_0dsLz-2/preview" width="640" height="480" allow="autoplay"></iframe>
FEEDBACK
Dr Charles commented on my unity artwork saying its to similar to the
reference, only making it pointillism. Dr Charles helped me with an idea
for word and image of using our body to help create this artwork.
REFLECTION
I have the most difficulty creating this exercise as both unity and word and image is all around us, there are too many choices and ideas for me to choose which made me confuse. I initially created a very time consuming artwork in traditional pen and paper by creating a pointillism artwork of the birth of Adam. But then got rejected by Dr Charles as the artwork is too similar to the actual reference. The hardest part is to create an artwork that does not copy the reference too much which is challenging for me. Then, for unity, i used the photoshoot image i took for contrast and traced it for the unity exercise. I had to delay my word and image as i came up with this idea during the submission deadline, after speaking with Dr Charles, i asked for a deadline extension as i don't have enough time to create this artwork. I don't really have trouble developing the artwork as I'm used to both photoshop and illustrator.
Reference
https://99designs.com/blog/design-history-movements/origins-of-graphic-symbols/
incorporating repetitive elements in unity is clever! looks great! word and image can still be further explored. Close up of the eye and how the text plays a role may be something you might want to consider.
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