Design Principles Exercise 2: Principles of Design

31/08/21 - 17/09/21 (Week 2 - Week 4)

Evaleez Voo Lian Yun/ 0350275

Design Principles/ Bachelor of Design (Hons) in Creative Media

Exercise 2: Principles of Design

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Index

• Lectures
• Instructions
• Visual Research
• Idea Exploration and Description
• Feedback
• Final Outcome
• Reflection

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Lectures

Lecture 2

Balance

• The distribution of visual weight in a work of design.
• It is the visual equilibrium of the elements that causes the whole image to appear balanced.
• Can be symmetrical or asymmetrical.

1. Symmetrical Balance

• Has equal "weight" on equal sides of a centrally placed fulcrum aka has an equal arrangement of elements on either side of the central axis (horizontal/ vertical) which causes bilateral balance. 
• Radial Balance = Arranging elements equally around a central point.
• Approximate Symmetry = Equivalent but not identical forms are arranged around the fulcrum line. 

Fig 1.0 Symmetrical Balance (01/09/21)
Source: Freepik

Fig 1.1 Radial Symmetry (01/09/21)
Source: FirstCry Parenting

Fig 1.2 Approximate Symmetry (01/09/21)
Source: Sando Botticelli

2. Asymmetrical Balance

• Unequal visual weight on each side of the composition.
• One side might have a dominant element, which would be balanced by lesser focal points on the other side.
• Dynamic, interesting and invokes more modernism, movement, energy and vitality due to visual variety. Although, it may be difficult to achieve because the relationshop between elements are more complex.

Fig 1.3 Asymmetrical Balance in Photography (01/09/21)
Source: ExpertPhotography

Fig 1.4 Asymmetrical Balacne in Posters (01/09/21)
Source: Pikbest

3. The Golden Ratio

• A mathematical concept that comes from tje Fibonacci Sequence, a naturally ocurring sequence of numbers that can be found everywhere. 
• Perceived  as the representative of perfect beauty.
• Used as a guide to create visual balance in architecture and paintings that brings harmony, balance and structure to increase the appeal.

Fig 1.5 Golden Ratio in Web Design (01/09/21)
Source: Lecture

4. Rule of Thirds

• Composition guideline to create more dynamism 
• An image is divided evenly into thirds (horizontally and vertically) and the subject is placed at the intersection points of those dividing lines or along the lines itself.  

Fig 1.5 Rule of Thirds (01/09/21)
Source: Lecture

5. Emphasis and Dominance

• Emphasis is used to create dominance and focus.
• Colours, shapes or values can be used to achieve dominance.

Fig 1.6 Emphasis (01/09/21)
Source: Claes Oldenburg & Coosje van Bruggem

Lecture 3

Repetition - Pattern and Rhytmn

• Make deisgn seem active.
• Creates rhythm and pattern within the work.
• Pattern increases visual excitement by enriching surface interest. 

Fig 1.7 Repetition in Traditional Mediums (01/09/21)
Source: Beads Borneo

Fig 1.8 Repetition in Artwork (01/09/21)
Source: Lecture

Movement

• The way a design leads the eye in, around and through a composition.
• Occurs when objects seem to be moving in a visual image.
• Comes from the kinds of shape, forms, lines and curves that are used. 

Fig 1.9 Movement (01/09/21)
Source: Lecture

Hierarchy

• Choreography of content in a composition.
• Helps direct viewers to the most important information first. 

Alignment

• It involves the placement of elements.
• Gives a sense of unity and cohesion. 
• Has a stable feel to the final product and acts as a lead. 

Personal Notes

Fig 2.0 Personal Notes 1 (01/09/21)

Fig 2.1 Personal Notes 2 (01/09/21)

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Instructions

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Visual Research

Balance

Balance can be symmetrical or assymetrical. Balancing a composition involves arranging both positive elements and negative space to ensure no one area of the design overpowers other areas and everything works together in a seamless whole. The individual parts contribute to their sum but don’t try to become the sum. Some reference include:

Fig 2.2 Balance Reference 1 (02/09/21)
Source: Pinterest

Fig 2.3 Balance Reference 2 (02/09/21)
Source: Lecture

Repetition

Repetition is simply repeating a single element many times in a design. For example, you could draw a line horizontally and then draw several others next to it. Some references include:

Fig 2.4 Repetition Reference 1 (02/09/21)
Source: Google Sites

Fig 2.5 Repetition Reference 2 (02/09/21)
Source: STRIVE3

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Idea Exploration and Desccription

Balance

1. Serenity of Koi 

The first thing that came to mind about balance was the concept of Yin and Yang. Yin and yang (or yin-yang) is a complex relational concept in Chinese culture that has developed over thousands of years. Simply put, the meaning of yin and yang is that the universe is governed by a cosmic duality, sets of two opposing and complementing principles or cosmic energies that can be observed in nature (Shan, J. 2020). Based on this, I decided to use them as my inspiration for my deisgn.

Moodboard:

Fig 2.6 Koi Fish (04/09/21)
Source: Pinterest

Fig 2.7 Yin and Yang (04/09/21)
Source: Pinterest

Outcome (Week 3):

Fig 2.8 Serenity of Koi Sketch (07/09/21)

Description:

Since the symbol for Yin and Yang is in a circle, I decided to let the koi fish swim around in that particular motion - encircling the centre. The four corners of the outer part has four fishes which represent the four directions of the compass i.e. North, South, East and West (Fun fact: One of the four greatest inventions of China includes the compass!). Havinf four of them around the two inside gives a sens of balance within these four directions. 

Outcome (Week 4):

Fig 2.9 Serenity of Koi Sketch 2 (13/09/21)

Description:

I used the same concept of fish swimming in a circular motion but with only two Koi fishes - one being red and the other is blue. These two complementary colours balance each other much like the Yin and Yang symbol at the back. Moreover, I used a watercolour brush to create the background and give a watery flow to it. 

Process:

Fig 3.0 Rough Sketch for Sereneity of Koi (12/09/21)

Fig 3.1 Lineart for Serenity of Koi (12/09/21)

Fig 3.2 Colouring Process of Koi (13/09/21)

Steps: 

1. Sketch out overall shape (especially how the fish moves).
2. Draw lineart
3. Insert base colours
4. Do shading and highlights 
5. Touch ups and redos

Timelapse:

*imagine a song in the background*

Repetition

1. It's Raining Koi, Hallelujah!

After listnening to the lecture, I was very much impressed with how shapes could be repeated to show movement. Hence, I wanted to use koi (can you tell how much I like Koi? ٩(˘◡˘)۶) as the foundation of my design and add movement to it by making it rain like a meteor shower. 

Moodboard:

Fig 3.3 Swimming Koi (04/09/21)
Source: Dreamstime

Fig 3.4 Meteor Shower (04/09/21)
Source: GENENG News

Outcome (Week 3):

Fig 3.5 It's Raining Koi, Hallelujah Sketch (07/09/21)

Description:

I copied a lot of Koi fish and made them fall out of the sky like a meteor. The koi on the bottom left and top right are purposely cute off to show perspective and play around with space (as taught my Dr. Charles in our first class). 

2. Tangled but in Ancient China

Thinking of repition, an old memory of 50 lanterns in the sky appeared in my mind. It was the last day of school camp and also my first time making a wish on a lantern. I wanted to recreate the scene but also incorporate some chinese culture with it, hence deciding to use a Hanfu in my design.

Moodboard:

Fig 3.6 Nighttime Beach (12/09/21)
Source: Tripoto

Fig 3.7 Lantern Festival (12/09/21)
Soure: ThoughtCo

Fig 3.8 Hanfu (12/09/21)
Source: Pinterest

Outcome (Week 4):

Fig 3.9 Tangled but in Ancient China Sketch (12/09/21)

I used the lanterns as the repeating parts of this design. The man on the beach overlooks the distant sky filled with the glowing lights of hundred lanterns from his home country. It tells a story of longing, especially to be home with his family. Their memories shine bright within his heart much like the lanterns floating about on the everlasting sky. 

Process: 

After the feedback from our week 4 class, I decied to increase the canvas size to show more perspective and emphasis on the lanterns, However, copying and pasting the lantern folder (which has 4 separate layers that include highlights, shadows etc) was a mess. Hence, I made a lantern brush (っ◔◡◔)っ ❤.

Fig 4.0 Creating an Object File (16/09/21)

Fig 4.1 Editing the brush tools (16/09/21)

Fig 4.2 Creating the Sea (16/09/21)

Fig 4.3 Creating the Sky (16/09/21)

Steps:

1. Sketch idea
2. Draw lineart
3. Fill in base colours 
4. Add shadow and hightlights
5. Make a lantern brush
6. Touch ups and redos

Timelapse:

*imagine a song in the background*

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Feedback

Week 3

Balance

1. Serenity of Koi

• The movement of the Koi in Serenity of Koi is a bit static, need some improvement. Can try by switching up the koi (it was quite repeated) and have fun with it.

Repetition

1. Raining Koi

• Dr. Charles liked the idea, especially with the koi going out of the frame.

Week 4

Balance

1. Serenity of Koi

• The Yin and Yang symbol can be dismissed as it gives tension.

Repetition

1. Tangled but in Ancient China

• The person there is okay as it doesn't take away the focus on the lanterns.
• Have more perspective on the lanterns (play with movement)
• Increase dynamic placement of lanterns to make a conversation.

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Final Outcome

Balance

Fig 4.4 Balance Final Outcome (17/09/21)

PDF:

Serenity of Koi

In my final piece, I edited the Yin and Yang symbol to look like it was immersed inside the water by lowering the opacity and adding gaussian blur onto the layer. This helps ease the tension between the symbol and the fish. I believe that my design suits balance very well - physically and cultural wise. It's colours represent the balance of the world - which could mean anything depending on the person, and how the world is revolved around it, similar to  the Koi encircling the symbol. 

Repetition

Fig x.x Repetition Final Outcome (17/09/21)

PDF:

Tangled but in Ancient China

To enhance the feeling of perspective in the design, I increased the canvas size to show more distance and depth into where the lanterns are coming from and where they are going. Moreover, I played around with some perspectives and made the lanterns seem like they are falling into the water. This piece was fun to make and I am glad to still be able to maintain the original storyline but have it enhanced further to give more meaning and conversation. 

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Reflection

Week 1

We received a briefing on how the timeline is going to run with Merdeka Day clashing with our class schedule. Based on the tight deadlines we have, I made a mental note to start my assignments really. (Spoiler: The tasks were on time but my eportfolio wasn't)

Week 2

Merdeka Day!

Week 3

This week, I received feedback on my designs and alo heard feedback about my classmantes' projects. (My class is amazing talented btw (ง︡'-'︠)ง) I gained some insight on how other people viewed certain concepts, for example, it never occured to me how we could use hair blowing in the wind as a movement idea.

Week 4 

Another week another feedback! This week I learned about creating a conversation with your design, whic is something I realized I'm quite bad at especially regarding artwork that involve environmental design. Besides that, after playing arounf with the lanterns, using correct perepectives help a lot in providing movement and meaning.