Design Principles Exercise 2

Nitish A/L Naveen Kumar (0346592)
Design Principles,
Bachelor of Design (HONOURS) in Creative Media

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LECTURES

BALANCE

Figure 1.0 Balance by Dr Jinchi (31/8/21)

Balance is a distribution of visual weight in the work of design, the visual equilibrium of the elements makes the image to appear more balanced. There are two types of balance symmetrical and asymmetrical.

 Symmetrical Balance-

Equal weight on both sides of a centrally placed fulcrum. Equal arrangements of elements on both side of the axis (horizontal or vertical) results in bilateral balance. Elements arranged equally around a central point creates a radial balance. Equivalent but not identical forms that are arranged around the fulcrum line is called Approximate symmetry.

Figure 1.1 Symmetrical Balance by Dr Jinchi (31/8/21)

Figure 1.2 Radial Balance by Dr Jinchi (31/8/21)

Asymmetrical Balance-

Asymmetrical balance is an unequal visual weight on each side of the composition, one side of the composition contains a dominant element, which can be balanced by a couple or more lesser focal points on the other side. It makes it more dynamic and interesting, evokes feeling of modernism, movement, energy, and vitality. Asymmetrical balance offers more visual variety but can be challenging as the relationship between elements are more complex. 

Figure 1.3 Asymmetrical Balance by Dr Jinchi (31/8/21)

The Golden Ratio-

Golden ratio otherwise known as phi is a mathematical concept. The Golden Ratio are perceived as the represented of perfect beauty or is uniquely found in nature. It is also used for centuries as a guide to create visual balance in paintings and architecture. The Golden Ratio can be used to create harmony, balance and structure to one's work.

Figure 1.4 Golden Ratio by Dr Jinchi (31/8/21)

Rule of Thirds-

It is a composition guideline to create more dynamic work for designs, photography's, films, paintings. The image is divided equally into thirds both horizontally and vertically, and the subject is placed at the intersection of those dividing lines or along one of the lines itself.

Emphasis 

Emphasis is used to create dominance and focus, various elements can be used to create emphasis such as colour, shapes or value to achieve dominance 

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Exercise 2

 

Figure 1.5 PDF Butterfly Wings Research (Pinterest) (8/9/21)

Sketches 

Figure 1.6 Sketch for Balance (8/9/21)

By following my theme which is eyes I decided to draw a butterfly more specifically the wings of the butterfly, by using eyes I tried to create the pattern of the butterfly wings to create balance

Figure 1.7 White Background (8/9/21)

One thing I've realized when researching about the butterfly wings is that they are all in symmetrical balance which was easy for me to do both for this exercise and my eye theme. The white background although it looks plain the main attraction is the butterfly wings and with the black outline it helps with the sense of balance in this design.
 

Figure 1.8 Black Background (8/9/21)

Although I like the black background it makes the wings more attractive but I feel because of the jagged edges it removes the sense of balance which could throw people off when seeing this design.

FINAL DESIGN 

Figure 1.9 Final Design JPEG (17/9/21)


 
Figure 2.0 Final Design PDF (17/9/21)

Emphasis

Figure 2.1 Sketch for Emphasis (8/9/21)

Figure 2.2 Composition (8/9/21)



Figure 2.3 Design 1 idea for Emphasis (8/9/21)

This was my 1st idea for emphasis I was was thinking of using the yellow colour for the eyes since it is bright in colour which makes it more different from the colour of the other eyes although I feel there is not much to it since for me personally when I see the yellow eyes I have to squint a bit which makes me strain my eyes so I did design idea no 2 which is below.

Figure 2.4 Design 2 idea for Emphasis (8/9/21)

For the 2nd idea I decided to use red as it is also in the same bright and contrast colour as yellow. Although I didn't want to make the eyes red because the colour red has been used to many times. After using the red colour for the eyes it occurred to me that since red also represents the colour DANGER, people's attention are attracted to it more than the eye colour yellow.

FINAL DESIGN

Figure 2.5 Final Design JPEG (17/9/21)

I decided to use this as my final product since it brings more attention to the picture more than the 1st design and there is no need to squint the eyes when seeing the red colour instead the eyes expand or a fixed look.


 
Figure 2.6 Final Design PDF (17/9/21)

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Reflections

Week 2: Thinking and finding ways to create balance and emphasis using my own theme which is eyes and to interpret it into the designs.

Week 3: Learning which option should be chosen to make a better understanding on what product is better with their pros and cons.