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Chapter I: Introduction to Elements of Design
The Language of Visual Communication
Three Components of Art
• Subject - What is work about
• Form - How was it made
• Content - Why was it made/what does it mean to the artist and viewer
Subject
• Representational
• Abstract
• Non-objective
Subject: Art and Reality
Representational Art
Types of Representational Art
• Figurative
• Trompe l’oeil
• Paintings of Subjects
Figurative
Trompe L’oeil
Representation of Subjects
a.k.a. Still-Life
Abstract vs. Non-Objective
Abstract
The Transformation of Picasso
The Transformation of Mondrian
Non-Objective
Form
Form is made up of:The Elements of Art:
• Line
• Shape
• Value
• Texture
• Color
• Space
• Time and Motion
The Principles of Organization:
• Harmony and Variety
• Balance
• Proportion
• Dominance
• Movement
• Economy
ingredients recipe
Content
Content Defined
The emotional or intellectual message of a work
of art is its content--a statement, expression or
mood developed by the artist and interpreted by
the viewer.
Subject: A Kiss
The next images show same subject in different
forms. The form of the subject affects the
content, or meaning of the piece.
Iconography
Iconography Defined
• The symbolic meaning of signs, subjects, and images.
• Based on tradition and culture.
• Symbolism of icons depicts meaning rather than the actual objects depicted.
Same Icon, Different Meanings in Different Times and Cultures
Subject, Form, and Content work together to make Organic Unity
Organic Unity is a condition in which the
components of art are completely interdependent
and the resulting wholeness is vital to a
successful work.
Think of this as a successfully completed meal.
Basic Concepts of 2D Art
• Figure or Positive Shape - The subject of an image.
• Ground or Negative Space - The background or environment around the main subject of the image.
The Picture Plane
• In 2D visual art the picture plane refers to the flat surface onto which the medium is applied. It generally refers to the surface of an image, especially in the case of illusionary depth. The illusion of depth and three dimensionality that accompanies certain types of pictures is described as penetrating the picture plane.
The Picture Plane
Chapter 2 : FormThe Principles of Organization
Key Principles of Organization
• Harmony
• Variety
• Balance
• Proportion
• Dominance
• Movement
• Economy
Harmony and Variety
Harmony and Variety
• Harmony - The appearance or condition of oneness or unity. All elements work together for a cohesive whole.
• Variety - Diversity of elements in a work.
Most artwork balances the two ideas
Harmony: Repetition and Rhythm
Repetition and Rhythm
• Repetition - repeating certain elements gives a composition unity, flow and emphasis.
• Rhythm - created through related variations of dominant and subordinate elements in a sequence.
Harmony: Pattern
Pattern
• Pattern- aka motif, a model that is repeated numerous times. Can be repetition of an item or idea.
Harmony: Closure
Closure
• Closure- a concept from Gestalt psychology in which the mind perceives an incomplete pattern or information to be a complete unified whole.
• Gestalt- an organized whole where the sum is greater than its individual parts.
Harmony:Visual Linking
Visual Linking
Visual Linking- when elements of a composition
actually share space by any of the following:
• shared edges
• overlapping
• transparency
• interpenetration
Harmony: Linking Through Extensions
Linking Through Extensions
Also known as directional forces. Implied edges,
lines or shapes create a system of visual
alignment.
These implied elements lead your eye around a
composition.
Characteristics of Directional Forces
• An additional guide to the viewer on where to look in a piece.
• Reveals underlying visual structure.
• Typically, verticals are suggest stillness and grandeur, horizontals suggest rest and space, and diagonals suggest motion and activity.
Variety: Contrast
Contrast
Juxtaposes dissimilar elements
Can provide
• Visual interest
• Emphasis of a point
• Expression of Content
Variety: Elaboration
Elaboration
• Emphasis - tool artists use to draw attention to an area. If area is the main focus of the work it is called the focal point.
• Subordination - keeps lesser important areas from distracting from the focal point.
With these, an artist guides us where to look.
Variety: Discord
Discord
• Discord- Unrelated parts are put together and variety outweighs harmony. If controlled it creates visual excitement, if not it creates chaos.
Balance
Characteristics of Balance
• In 2D it is a visual achievement of equilibrium.
• In 3D it is not only a visual achievement, but also a physical achievement.
• Things can be balanced symmetrically, radially, or asymmetrically.
Factors that affect Balance
• Position or placement of elements in design.
• Size of elements
• Proportion of elements to the whole
• Character and direction of elements
2D Balance
• The visual weight or force of an area within an artwork depends on the amount of attention that area draws. This becomes an area of visual impact.
• Where there are moments of increased visual impact, these points of interest create moments of force, which results in a controlled visual tension and a total balance of the work as a whole.
Symmetrical Balance
Characteristics of Symmetrical Balance
• Things distributed equally among both sides along an imaginary centerline.
• Sides match exactly or nearly.
• Makes things comprehensible at a glance
• Connotes permanence and poise. Often used to depict the divine in religious imagery.
Approximate Symmetrical Balance
Radial Balance
Asymmetrical Balance
Characteristics of Asymmetrical Balance
Both sides of image not equally dispersed.
Rather various elements are balanced according
to compositional tools such as:
• Large forms vs. small
• Weight of form in relation to picture plane
• Complexity of form
• Warm vs. cool colors
• Saturation of color
Weight of Form in Relation to Picture Plane
Large Form vs. Small Form
Complexity of Form
Warm vs. Cool Colors
Saturation of Color
Scale and Proportion
Scale and Proportion Defined
• Scale - The size relation of one whole thing to another, usually to a standard unit of measurement.
• Proportion - The size relationship of parts to a whole.
Effect of Scale on a Work
Effect of Proportion on a Work
Golden Section/Ratio
http://jwilson.coe.uga.edu/EMT668/EMAT6680.2000/Obara/Emat6690/Golden%20Ratio/golden.html
Dominance
Ways to Achieve Dominance
Dominance is also like emphasis/subordination, becomes a
way to strive for interest through emphasizing degrees of
importance. Creates a focal point. Ways to create dominance:
• Isolation
• Placement
• Direction
• Scale or Proportion
• Character
Isolation
Placement
Direction
Scale or Proportion
examples of hierarchical scaling
Character
Movement
Same as Directional Forces
Economy
Space
3D- Plastic Space
2D- Decorative Space
Somewhere in Between
