VDD Test 2

Principles

Concepts used to organize and arrange elements of design, affecting the expressive content.

Design is both a __________ and a ___________.

Process and a Product

Principles of aesthetic design

Balance, emphasis, rhythm, proportion, and unity.

Balance

the distribution of weight and force within a composition.

Emphasis

Particular prominence in a part of the design.

Rhythm

The feeling of organized movement.

Proportion

The comparative relationship of distance, sizes, amounts, degrees, or parts.

Unity

The sense of completed wholeness or cohesion.

Vertical Balance

Position objects up and down in

such a way that neither give the

perception of giving in to the other.

Horizontal Balance

Refers to positioning elements

at the right and left of the axis

in such a manner that the scale

doesn’t fall to either side

Symmetrical Balance

Symmetry requires that both sides of

the central axis are the same; Mirror image

Asymmetrical Balance

A.K.A Informal Balance; Both sides of the vertical axis are

different

Radial Balance

System of arrangement that occurs

from a common central point, radiating out.

Types of Radial Balance

Concentricity and Radiation

Concentricity

a progressive increase in size of layers of the same

shape

Radiation

a feeling of movement

steadily bursting outward

Approximate Symmetry

Slight differences in

arrangements make designs

more dynamic

Symmetrical except for a slight

change

Biaxial Symmetry

Having more than one axis of symmetry

Laws of Simplicity

1. Similarity

2. Containment

3. Repetition

4. Proximity

5. Continuity

6. Figure/Ground

7. Closure

8. Order

Similarity

Occurs when objects look similar.

Elements (e.g., line, shape, color)

that share visual characteristics.

Also called grouping

Containment

Edge of a composition or a

boundary within it is a unifying

force.

Repetition

Same visual effect occurs

over and over.

Repeat of any element has

the potential for unity.

Proximity

Based on grouping by

closeness

The closer elements are to each

other, the more likely we will see

them as a group.

Figure/Ground

Perceptual tendency to separate

whole figures from their backgrounds,

based on such elements as color,

contrast, value.

Closure

When familiar details are missing,

the brain tends to fill them in.

Order

Visual elements are located,

grouped, and sized according to

relative importance.

Continuity

Viewers tend to continue shapes

beyond their ending points.

Methods of Rhythm

1. Repetition

2. Gradation

3. Parallelism

4. Sequencing

5. Alternation

6. Transition

7. All-Over Pattern

8. Radiation

Repetition

Rhythm created by ________ has a powerful

affect that my range from

monotonous to startling

Progression/Gradation

Slow change in Rhythm

More complex type of

repetition, lighter to darker

colors, shapes consecutively

changing is size.

Parallelism

Utilizes equidistant units

on the same plane

Pleats, shirring, straight

waistbands and belts,

cuffs and pockets, curves

necklines.

Sequencing

One unit follows another in a

particular order

Minimum of 3 items

Alternation

Striping features a rhythmic

device called alternation

Two units that change back

and forth

Transition

Used when an element’s change is

so subtle that it is difficult to notice,

but it nevertheless keeps the eye

moving along the design

All-Over Pattern

The eye automatically moves

from motif to motif

Radiation

In relation to rhythm, the

eye moves outward from

the center

Radiation in a garment

implemented through

Methods of Emphasis

1. Isolation

2. Contrast

3. Contrast & the Elements

4. Repetition

5. Radiation

6. Placement

7. Structural Details

Isolation

A shape that stands by itself is

bound to attract attention

Isolating one motif from an all-over

pattern

Contrast

Two forces operate in opposition,

causing a significant difference

Note the elements of line, shape,

color, pattern, texture

Repetition

Something important is worth

repeating

Emphasis through ________

can be created using any

elements

Placement

Isolating an element from the

others by its position in space

will also create emphasis.

Structural Details

What draws the eye first?

 Edges of pattern parts

 Manipulation of draped folds

 Unusual closures

 Placement of seams

 Trapunto quilting