Task 1: Exploration
1. This is the Module Information Booklet for this module:
Design Principles Module Information Booklet
According to the Module Information Booklet (MIB), task 1-Exploration requires the student to understand and provide explanation to each of the design principles taught in the module. From that, observation and exploring on artworks that use these elements are needed to apply the knowledge.
2. These are the design principles that are taught in this module:
- Gestalt theory
This theory explains how human perceives visual elements as a whole form rather than just individual parts. It emphasises that our brains naturally group and organise elements based on patterns, proximity, similarity, continuity, closure, and figure-ground relationships. Designers use Gestalt principles to create visually appealing and easily understandable compositions by guiding the viewer’s perception and interaction with the design.
Principles of Figure/Ground
The brain separates objects (figure) from their background (ground). The Sherlock Holmes poster by Olly Moss represents Figure/Ground by using negative space to form Sherlock Holmes' silhouette.
Artist: Olly Moss
Principles of Similarity
Elements that look alike (in colour, shape, or size) are perceived as a group. Composition VIII by Kandinsky represents Similarity through repeated geometric shapes, lines, and colours. The consistent use of circles, triangles, and patterns creates visual harmony and unity, making the abstract elements feel connected.
Principles of Proximity
Elements placed close to each other are perceived as related, while those spaced farther apart appear separate. It helps organise visual information by grouping related items together, improving readability and user experience.
An example is Google homepage where it uses proximity by grouping related elements like the search bar, logo, and buttons for easy identification.
Principles of Closure
The mind completes incomplete shapes or forms. The IBM logo uses broken blue stripes to form the letters "IBM." The brain fills in the gaps, making the design modern, clean, and easily recognisable.
Principles of Continuation
The eye follows a smooth path, even if elements are arranged separately. Girl Before a Mirror by Picasso represents Continuity through flowing curves and repeated shapes that guide the eye smoothly across the artwork. The mirrored reflection aligns with the girl's form, creating a continuous visual connection between the two figures.
Law of Symmetry and Order
The perception of symmetrical and well-organized elements as belonging together. The mind naturally seeks balance, stability, and harmony, making symmetrical compositions visually appealing and easier to process.
The Rorschach Inkblot Test represents the Law of Symmetry and Order through its mirrored, symmetrical inkblots. The balanced design creates visual stability and structure, helping the brain recognise familiar patterns within the abstract forms.
- Contrast
Contrast refers to the use of differences in elements such as colour, size, shape, texture, or typography to create visual interest, emphasise focal points, and enhance readability. It helps distinguish elements from each other and guides the viewer’s attention.
The artwork by Vincent Van Gogh; The Starry Night uses contrast where the bright swirling stars contrast with the dark night sky, emphasising movement and mood.
- Emphasis
Emphasis refers to drawing attention to a specific element in a composition by using contrast, colour, size, placement, or other visual techniques. It helps create a focal point, guiding the viewer’s eye to the most important part of the design.
An artwork that implements emphasis is Girl with a Pearl Earring (Johannes Vermeer, 1665) where the bright pearl earring contrasts with the dark background, making it the focal point.
- Balance
Balance is the visual distribution of elements to create stability and harmony in a composition. It can be symmetrical or asymmetrical.
Symmetrical Balance
Evenly distributed elements.
An artwork that uses symmetrical balance is The School of Athens (Raphael, 1509–1511) where it portrays two central figures acting as the focal point.
Asymmetrical Balance
Different elements balanced through colour, contrast, or movement. The Great Wave of Kanagawa represents Asymmetrical Balance by positioning the massive wave on one side and Mount Fuji on the other. The wave’s dynamic motion contrasts with the stillness of the mountain, creating a visually balanced yet energetic composition.
The Golden Ratio (1:1:618)
A mathematical ratio often found in nature and art, used to create visually harmonious compositions. It helps balance elements by guiding placement in a naturally pleasing way.
The Mona Lisa represents the Golden Ratio through the proportions of her face and body, which align with the Fibonacci spiral. The composition naturally guides the viewer’s eye, creating a sense of balance, harmony, and aesthetic perfection
Rule of Thirds
A guideline that divides an image into a 3×3 grid, placing focal points along the intersections to create a well-balanced and dynamic composition. It avoids symmetry, making artwork more engaging.
A typical National Geographic photography often uses the rules of third to create appealing visuals such as this photo where it places the person and waterfall along vertical thirds. The path acts as a leading line, creating balance and depth.
- Repetition
Repetition in design involves repeating elements like shapes, colors, or patterns to create rhythm, consistency, and visual interest.
An example is the artwork of Andy Warhol; Campbell's Soup Cans which showcases repeated visual of soup cans.
Medium: Synthetic polymer paint on 32 canvases
Size: Each canvas: 50.8 cm × 40.6 cm (20 in × 16 in)
- Movement
Movement guides the viewer’s eye through the composition using lines, shapes, and visual flow.An artwork that uses movement is Nude Descending a Staircase (No. 2) where it captures motion through fragmented, overlapping forms.
Hierarchy
Organises elements in a way that guides the viewer’s eye from the most important to the least important part of the artwork. This is achieved through size, colour, contrast, and placement.
The New York Times front page uses hierarchy with a bold headline, smaller subheadings, and body text to guide readers. Images and captions highlight key points for clarity and readability.
Alignment
Ensures elements are arranged logically and cohesively, creating a smooth flow for the viewer’s eye. Proper alignment enhances readability and visual movement in a composition.
National Geographic magazine uses alignment by organising text, images, and columns in a structured grid. Headings, margins, and spacing ensure clarity, balance, and readability.
- Harmony and Unity
Harmony and unity ensure all elements in a design work together cohesively, creating a balanced and pleasing composition.
The artwork Water Lilies by Monet implements harmony and unity in the piece where Monet's impressionistic brushstrokes and soft colour blending create a peaceful, unified visual experience.
- Symbol
A symbol is a visual representation that conveys deeper meaning, often cultural, religious, or ideological.
An example is the artwork, The Persistence of Memory where the melting clocks symbolise the fluidity of time, reflecting Surrealist ideas about reality and dreams.
Pictorial Symbols
Represent real-world objects in a recognisable way, often detailed and illustrative. The Apple logo is a pictorial symbol as it is a literal image of apple making it clear and recognisable. It is recognisable worldwide and symbolises technology and innovation.
Abstract Symbols
Simplified or stylised representations that suggest an idea rather than directly resembling the object. The Nike Swoosh is an abstract symbol representing motion, speed, and athleticism without a direct image. It’s simple, iconic, and globally recognized.
Arbitrary Symbols
There is no visual connection to what they represent; their meanings are assigned through culture, tradition, or convention.
The Jalur Gemilang (Malaysian flag) represents Arbitrary Symbols as its colours, stripes, and crescent moon hold assigned meanings rather than resembling their concepts directly. The blue field symbolises unity, the crescent represents Islam, and the stripes reflect equal status among states, making it a powerful national symbol.
Year: 1949
Medium: Textile (used in flags), digital and print representations
Size Ratio: 1:2 (height to width)
- Word and Image
Word and image combine text with visuals to enhance communication, often used in posters, advertisements, and conceptual art.
An example is the poster; Hope by Shepard Fairey (2008) where it is a poster of Barack Obama merges bold imagery with typography, making it an iconic political artwork.
3. Selected Design
4. Explanation for selecting the work of art/design
I chose Vincent van Gogh’s The Starry Night (1889) because it has captivated me since my visit to the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam. Its expressive brushstrokes and signature style beautifully convey deep emotions, showcasing Van Gogh’s artistry at its finest. It is also an incredible masterpiece that successfully incorporates all the design principles.
It is one of the most iconic and emotionally expressive paintings in art history. The artwork’s swirling brushstrokes, bold colors, and dynamic composition create a sense of movement and depth, making it visually captivating. Van Gogh’s use of contrast between the bright stars and the dark night sky enhances the painting’s dramatic effect.
Beyond its aesthetics, The Starry Night reflects Van Gogh’s inner emotions, painted during his time at the Saint-Paul-de-Mausole asylum. The artwork conveys a feeling of turbulence, wonder, and hope, making it deeply meaningful. The use of Gestalt principles like continuity, movement, and emphasis adds to its timeless appeal.
I chose this painting because of its emotional depth, artistic innovation, and universal recognition. It continues to inspire artists and art lovers, proving the power of self-expression through visual art.
5. The design principles incorporated in the artwork
- Contrast: The bright stars and moon contrast with the deep blue night sky.
- Emphasis: The glowing celestial bodies and swirling sky draw immediate attention.
- Balance: The tall cypress tree counterbalances the movement in the sky.
- Repetition: The circular motion of the stars and swirling brushstrokes create rhythm.
- Movement: The dynamic brushstrokes guide the viewer’s eye through the composition.
- Harmony & Unity: The cool blue tones and expressive strokes unify the elements.
- Symbolism: The cypress tree connects earth and sky, symbolizing eternity, while the stars and moon represent hope and dreams.
- Word & Image: Though there are no actual words, the painting visually communicates deep emotions, much like poetry in visual form.
- Gestalt Theory: The painting’s composition, use of colour, and brushstrokes all contribute to how viewers perceive and organise visual elements as a unified whole.
6. Feedback
- Use website/app (interface design) for proximity ✔️
- Another example for closure ✔️, rule of thirds (not clear) ✔️, (maybe poster or publication) for hierarchy and alignment ✔️, symbols (similar to arbitrary symbols - Jalur Gemilang) ✔️
- Explanation is okay (as long as 200 words)
- Very organised
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ReplyDeleteIntegrates information from multiple sources and able to describe the principles accurately. Diligently shares positive progress with lecturer in a timely manner.
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