Design Principles / Week 2 Exercises

 

9.4.2021 - 16.4.2021 (Week 2) 
Lew Se Win / 0347637 / Bachelor of Design (Hons) in Creative Media
Design Principles 
Exercises 

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LECTURES

Week 2: 

This week's lecture started with a discussion about emphasis. Dr. Charles explained the emphasis principle in a more detailed way. He also used little soldier toys in different arrangements to explain to us. 

Figure 1.0 Week 2 lecture

Besides, Dr. Charles gave feedback to some of the students about our week 1 exercises. After that, Dr. Charles asked us to play a game with him. We have to take out white paper and cut a shape out. 

Figure 1.1 Week 2 lecture

A picture of our class plays together. All of our shapes are pointing to Kah Shin's insect. Furthermore, Dr. Charles also explained more about the golden ratio and the rule of third using Adobe Illustrator and a DSLR. 

Pre-recorded lecture: 

• Emphasis 
  - Create dominance & focus
  - Colour, Shapes, Value
  
  
• Balance
  - Distribution of visual weight
  - Visual equilibrium 
  - Symmetrical balance : equal "weight" on equal sides of the centrally placed fulcrum.
  - Asymmetrical balance : placement of objects with various visual weights to balance one another.
  
  
• The Golden Ratio
  - Phi (1.618....)
  - Bring harmony, balance and structure
  - Increase the appeal of an artwork
  
  
• Rule of Thirds
  - Simplification of the Golden Ratio
  - Composition guideline

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 INSTRUCTIONS

<iframe src="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Zqgp2cirGIhop-aYAMYCkwsJBpTsGBGA/preview" width="640" height="480"></iframe>

WEEK 2 - EMPHASIS & BALANCE

Emphasis

Visual Research

Figure 2.0 from Pinterest

Figure 2.1 from Pinterest

Figure 2.2 from Pinterest

Figure 2.3 from Pinterest

I did some research on Pinterest and found some of the pictures about emphasis. 

Idea Exploration

Idea #1 

Figure 3.0 from Pinterest

I have an idea of creating a design of having a different element standing in between a group of the same elements. Figure 3.0 is one of the examples. 

Figure 3.1 Sketches

After having different sketches, I have an idea of placing a slice of watermelon in the middle of watermelons and decided to go for the last sketches which are on the right bottom of figure 3.1.

Figure 3.2 Watermelon

I found a reference for watermelon and used it as a guide for me to colour my sketches using colour pencils. 

Figure 3.3 Sketches

Then, I decided to darken the outlines. Hence, I used a marker pen to trace the outline of the watermelons. 

Figure 3.4 Process

Final Design

Figure 3.5 Final outcome

Watermelon is my favourite fruit so I decided to use watermelons to reflect emphasis in this exercise. Sliced watermelon is having red colour and others are complete watermelons which are having green colours.

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Balance

Visual Research

Figure 4.0 from Pinterest

Figure 4.1 from Pinterest

Figure 4.2 from Pinterest

Figure 4.3 from Pinterest

I wanted to do something about circles for this balance exercise. Hence, I went to Pinterest to research pictures related to balance. Figures 4.0 till 4.3 are designs that caught my eye.

Idea Exploration

Idea #1

Figure 5.0 from Pinterest

I was inspired by Figure 5.0, which I think that I can do something symmetry for this exercise. 

Idea #2

Figure 5.1 from Pinterest

After that, I have an idea of using simple shapes to create balance in my artwork. This idea was also inspired by Figure 5.1. 

Figure 5.2 Sketches

I draw out my rough idea about using simple shapes. I decided to use a circle and rectangular to complete this artwork. 

Figure 5.3 Draft

Later on, I coloured the shapes using markers and colour pencils. I also tried different colour combinations.

Final Design

Figure 5.4 Final outcome

I decided to use a circle to indicate the center of the artwork. I also decided to colour the circle yellow so that it can stand out more as a center. Besides, rectangles are symmetrical on the left and right sides.  

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FEEDBACK

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BRIEF REFLECTION 

This week’s exercises were fun. I have more understanding of emphasis and balance now. However, I think that balance exercise is a bit harder than I think. I had difficulties choosing which type of balance and the way to present balance in my artwork. For emphasis, I had a quite straightforward idea which I then process with lesser hesitation. It is also challenging because we are required to use only markers, pens and colour pencils.