Design Principles - Task 01: Exploration

Gestalt principles include concepts like proximity, similarity, closure, and coontinuity, which help explain how we perceive and make sense of the world around us. This theory has had a significant influence not only in psychology, but also in various fields such as design, art, and education.

Ensuring related design elements are placed together while spacing apart unrelated items. Proximity among elements shows their connection and creates a unified visual unit, leading to better organization and structure in a layout.

Figure 1.1 Gestalt principle of Proximity

Human eye can perceive similar elements together as a complete image, despite their separation.

Figure 1.2 Gesalt principle of Similarity

Human eye prefers to see a continuous flow in a design, following paths, lines, and curves, rather than separated objects.

Figure 1.3 Gestalt principle of Continuation

Human eye prefers complete shapes over incomplete ones. When visual information is missing, users can perceive a complete shape by filling in the missing parts.

Figure 1.4 Gestalt principle of Closure

Objects are seen as either foreground or background.

Figure: Objects that stand our prominently in the front.

Ground: Objects that recede into the back.

Figure 1.5 Gestalt principle of Figure-Ground

Symmetrical elements appear as a cohesive unit.

Figure 1.6 Gestalt principle of Law of Symmetry and Order

2. Contrast

Contrast is the pairing of opposing elements such as opposite colours, light and dark values, and horizontal or vertical direction. The stronger the contrast, the ore something will sand out and draw attention to itself.

Figure 1.7 Contrast

3. Emphasis

Emphasis visually directs the viewer's attention to the centre of interest or focal point using strategies such as contrast, colour, placement, variation, alignment, isolation, convergence, anomaly, proximity, size, and contrast.

Figure 1.8 Emphasis

4. Balance

Balance is the distribution of interest or visual weight in a work, creating a sense of visual equilibrium or stability. It can be symmetrical, asymmetrical, or radial, and is achieved through the arrangement of elements such as objects,values, colours, textures, and shapes.

Figure 1.9 Balance

5. Repetition

Repetition of elements in regular or cyclic fashion creates interest and strngthens a design by tying together individual elements, bringing a sense of consistency, and creating rhythm and patterns. Variation introduced to repetition increases the level of interest.

Figure 1.10 Repetition

6. Movement

Movement in art is the visual flow through the composition. It can be implied through static elements suggesting motion, or it can be real with elements that can be moved or move on their own. Aspects such as lines, diagonals, unbalanced elements, placement, and orientation can play the role of active elements in creating movement in a still image.

Figure 1.11 Movement

7. Harmony and Unity

Harmony combines similar elements in a composition, such as adjacenet colours or similar shapes. These harmonious elements have a logical relationship and work together to complement each other.

Figure 1.12 Harmony

Unity in art is achived through harmonious similarity, repetition, continuance, proximity, and alignment. It visually links various elements to create a unified whole that is greater than the sum of its parts.

Figure 1.13 Unity

8. Symbol

A sign, shape or object that is used to represent something else.

- Abstract symbols

Figure 1.14 Abstract Symbols

- Pictorial symbols

Figure 1.15 Pictorial Symbols

9. Word and Image

Choosing the right words to pair with the imagery is of high importance as it would deepen the meaning of the design.

Figure 1.16&1.17 Word and Image (Left) , Word and Image (Right)

To the TOP ↑

2. INSTRUCTIONS

Module Information Booklet (MIB)

Task 01: Exploration

You are to explore the various design principles taught in the module and observe works of design to apply your knowledge. All these must be documented in your blog.

Requirement (Blog):

1. Module Information Booklet (MIB)

2. Recap of Design Principles

- Gestalt Theory
- Contrast

- Emphasis

- Balance

- Repetition

- Movement

- Harmony and Unity

- Symbol

- Word and Image

3. Pick and describe a goal from UNSDG

4. Select an existing art/design work that links to that goal

🌟Credit: Tittle of art/design work, artist's/designer's name, year, size, medium, source link

5. Explain (100-150 words), why choose that design and list the design principles.

To the TOP ↑

3. TASK 01: EXPLORATION

3.1 Brief

You are to explore the various design principles taught in the module and observe works of design to apply your knowledge. All these must be documented in your blog.

3.2 Selected UNSDG goal

Out of the 17 United Nation Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDG), I have chosen Goal 14: Life Below Water.

The United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 14, also known as UNSDG 14 or SDG 14, focuses n the conversation and sustainable use of the oceans, seas, and marine resources for sustainable development. Adopted as part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, this goal aims to protect and restore marine ecosystems, prevent pollution, and promote sustainable fishing practices.

Key Targets of UNSDG Goal 14 - Life Below Water:

Reduce marine pollution
Protect and restore marine ecosystems
Promote sustainable fisheries
Increase scientific knowledge
Enhance implementation of international law

3.3 Selected design

Figure 3.1 The Valley of Litter by Karl Taylor

Tittle: The Valley of Litter

Designer's Name: Karl Taylor

Date: 27/03/2019

Size: N/A

Medium: Digital photograph

Source link: Click here to website

Artist Statement

Karl Taylor's photography project aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (UNSDG) of "Life Below Water" by drawing attention to the issue of plastic pollution in oceans. Through his powerful imagery, Taylor raises awareness about the detrimental impact of plastic waste on marine ecosystems and the creatures that inhabit them. By highlighting this urgent environmental concern, Taylor's work encourages action to protect and preserve life below water, in line with the UNSDG goal.

He has this idea because oceans are essential for human health, but we are neglecting and harming them. Environmental messages need to be clear and strong to grab attention.

3.4 Explaination

Reason why I choose this artwork (123 words):

I chose this artwork because it clearly shows the abundance of plastic waste taking over our oceans, causing pollution and affecting human health, reflecting the key targets of UNSDG goal 14: Life under water. Plastics and garbage floating on the sea surface have caused irreversible pollution to marine life, affecting future generations. The entanglement of marine creatures in plastic debris or the ingestion of plastic vividly shows the direct consequences of ocean pollution on marine life, emphasizing the urgency of protecting marine habitats. Our relationship with the ocean is linked, and plastic pollution not only poses risks to marine ecosystems but also threatens human well-being. Overall, this artwork serves as a warning and education for people to take good care of the ocean. (123 words)

Design principles observed in "The Valley of Litter" by Karl Taylor:

Balance - Rule of third

Figure 3.2 Balance (Rule of Third)

Harmony and unity - Same theme and same mood (somber in hue colour).

Figure 3.3 Harmony and unity

Emphasis - The brightness around the baby is relatively dark and gray, only the brightness of the baby in the middle is brighter than the surrounding.

Figure 3.4 Emphasis

To the TOP ↑

4. FEEDBACKS

Week 02

General Feedback:

Blog need to decorate better.

Better understanding and analysis better on UNSDG.

Specific Feedback:

Give explanation of the artist concept that link to the chosen goal.

Add some summarize and writting for the chosen goal.

Add 3 design principle for the selected artwork.

Add on your own example (picture) for the design principles.

✅ Have make changes on:

Have added the summarize and the key target of the chosen UNSDG goal.
Have added the 3 design principle that I observed from the chosen design/artwork
Have add on my own example (pictures) for the recap: design principles part.
Have listed out the artist statement f the chosen artwork that link to the chosen UNSDG goal.

Week 03

Specific Feedback:

Change the third design principle

✅ Have make changes on:

Have change the third design priciple from Repetition to Emphasis.

To the TOP ↑

5. REFLECTIONS

Through this two weeks, I have learned a lot of knowledge about element of design, design principles and Gestalt theory and more through our lecture slides and pre-recording lecture video. This helps me to have a good understanding of design principles and give me an opportunity to complete my task smoothly and on time.

To the TOP ↑

6. FURTHER READING

During this task, I have studied an article written by William Craig, the CEO and Co-Founder President of WebFX. This article was pubilshed on Feb 7, 2014. The tittle of the article is "What white space can doo for you".

🔗Source Link of the article: https://www.webfx.com/blog/web-design/white-space/

In this article, it says that white space is a powerful tool that can take our designs to the next level. When used strategically, that is. The articles also discusses the importance of white space in web design and its impact on user experience.

In the articles, I learned about definition of white space which refers to the empty areas on a webpage that are devoid of text, images, or other elements, but it is not necessarily white in colour but can be any background colour. Furthermore, I also learned that white space can enhances readability and comprehension, improves user experience by creating a sense of balance, harmony and visual hierarchy on the webpage. Next, white space also can increase interaction and can draw atention to important elements such as call-to-action buttons, leading to increased user interaction and conversion rates. White space can also reflects brand identity and influences users' perceptions. White space becomes even more critical in responsive web design for mobile devices, where screen real estate is limited. Properly implemented white space ensures a seamless and enjoyable experience across various devices. Designers should consider the amount, distribution, and purpose of white space in their designs. It's essential to strike a balance between too much and too little white space to optimize user experience effectively.

Overall, the article emphasizes that white space is not merely "empty" space but a fundamental design element that significantly impacts user perception, engagement, and overall satisfaction with a website.

To the TOP ↑

QUICK LINK

Task

Task 01: Exploration

Task 02: Visual Analysis

Task 03: Design

Final Compilation and Reflection

Search This Blog

Chin Tze Wei (0357423)

Design Principles - Task 01: Exploration

- LIST -

1. LECTURES