wendy seto (0348805): Design Principles [Exercises]

31.3.2021 - 5.5.2021 (Week 1 - Week 6)

Wendy Seto / 0348805

GCD60804 Design Principles / Bachelor of Design (Hons) in Creative Media / Taylor's University

Exercises

LECTURES

Week 1: At first, I had the least interest towards this class because I personally don't really enjoy learning theory. But turns out the lecturer is very nice and friendly, Dr. Charles delivered his lecture in a fun way which made the class ten times more interesting. Besides, I somehow managed to understand what he is trying to explain in the first week of class! He also gave us the freedom to do our E-Portofolio as creative as we want it to be, is it safe to say that I like this class already?

Today, we are introduced about the design elements. First, there are conceptual elements, the basic elements that create a concept or illusion inside our mind. The four conceptual elements are:

1. Point or Dot •

2. Line —

3. Plane

4. Volume

To objectify that concept and illusion we can add some characteristics, which also known as the visual elements:

1. Shape

2. Size

3. Colour

4. Value or Tone

5. Texture

There are also relational elements, the internal relationship between the visual elements. What we perceive and feel from how one element is related to another. The relational elements are:

1. Direction

2. Position

3. Space

4. Gravity

Lastly, there are practical elements, to observe and analyse what are the meaning and purpose behind a design is made.

On Friday, we had a recorded lecture from Dr. Jinchi about design principles, contrast and gestalt theory through YouTube Premiere. "If the elements were ingredients, than the principles are the recipes." By only hearing this single sentence, we can easily understand what design principles are. The 7 design principles that were mentioned are:

1. Emphasis

2. Balance

3. Contrast

4. Repetition

5. Movement

6. Harmony

7. Unity

Contrast refers to differences is values, colours, textures, shapes, and other elements. It creates visual excitement and interest. However, gestalt theory is about understanding how design works. There are 5 principles of the gestalt theory:

1. Figure-Ground

2. Similarity

3. Proximity

4. Continuity

5. Closure

I still have to explore deeper about this topic though, I think it is important for a design student to understand at least the basic of design principles.

Week 2: Dr. Charles continued to talk about the contrast and gestalt theory. He said, "gestalt is not about 'we' showing the lines but 'our mind' seeing the lines." We were explained further about the different type of principles applied in the theory. Later, some of my classmates are showing Dr. Charles their contrast and gestalt exercise sketches to get their feedbacks, however I haven't prepared anything yet since I just knew about the assignment the night before. Turns out there is something wrong with the Google Classroom which made me and some other friends didn't receive the information.

Week 3: Today, Dr. Charles talked about our next exercise, balance and emphasis. Balance is the distribution of visual weight while emphasis is creating a focal point. A design can be emphasizes by shape, colour or form of unity. I remember one of my classmate asked what is the difference between emphasis and contrast, and it was answered very clearly by Dr. Charles, "emphasis talks about what is more important while contrast talks about what is different." We also got another explanation about the golden ratio and rule of thirds which we have learnt a bit from DPI class. Dr. Charles even showed us how to create the golden ratio manually in Adobe app.

Week 4: This week, Dr. Charles answered some of the students' questions about understanding the repetition and movement in design principles. During the second half of the session, he visited some of our blogs to give a verbal feedback on our second exercise. I saw my classmates' work are so advanced, it is like they own the PRO version and I own the LITE version, or probably BETA. Even though I can't really draw well, seeing their work made me want to do 'more' in future exercises.

INSTRUCTIONS

Module Information Booklet

PRACTICAL

Week 1: Further into the session, Mr. Charles suggests us to have our own sketchbook, it can be either physical or digital, or both. I have a bunch of sketchbooks, but almost all of them are filled in. So, I am thinking to make a new one once I have collected all the materials I am going to need (will update about it later in this post). Actually, I haven't draw on a physical sketchbook for quite a long time. I used to do it 24/7 in middle school, highly regret that I stopped. My drawing skills suck now, but I guess it is not to late to start over.

At the end of the class, we did an icebreaker. Mr. Charles wants us to draw our faces on a piece of paper. I didn't even know what to draw so this is what I came up with (screenshotted this from the session recording because I accidentally destroyed the drawing). It doesn't even look like me since it has a pointed chin, I am far from that. Also, can you see that the face shape is not symmetrical? Not gonna lie, it looks like a fail product.

fig. 1.1 me with a so-not-me portrait of me

I saw Mr. Charles did a one line drawing of his face, and I have always wanted to learn how to do it. So straight after the class, I scribbled through my sketchbook, trying to do the one line drawing. I think it is not too bad for my first attempt, and I am willing to do more of them in the future!

fig 1.2 my first attempt on one line drawing (trying to portray my parents)

EXERCISES

Exercise 1: Contrast and Gestalt

Contrast

I did my sketch straight after the class, and this is what first popped up in my mind when thinking about the colour black and white.

fig 2.1 brief sketches

I began my visual research afterwards, and found this piece. It is called as "The Vanishing Half", very interesting. I think I can make my previous sketch to work this way.

figure 2.2 contrast visual research - The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett

It didn't took me long to create the final work for the contrast exercise, but I am not satisifed with the result. I think it is a bit too basic and cliche, should have think of a more unexpected and mindblowing concept.

fig 2.3 final sketch

Gestalt

For gestalt, I found this really clever artwork. If you look from distance, it isn't just a picture of birds. The face and the elements around it somehow remind me of Maleficent. Unfortunately, I can't seem to find the name of the artwork and the artist. I saw so many people reposting this on Pinterest with different colour scheme, they should have credit the real artist though.

fig 2.4 gestalt visual research

It took me awhile to sketch for gestalt, but then I got this idea when I'm thinking about an idea. Idea is often symbolized as a light bulb, so I decided to combine it with a human facial skeleton. As the shapes of both have similarity, it wasn't too hard to picture them together. I personally really like how it turned out, I think the sketch is very nicely done.

fig. 2.5 sketch for gestalt

This is when I first try to cut and paste the black and white paper. I kind of regret designing this kind of artwork for the exercise because it has some details that aren't easy to be cut. Especially, the light bulb wire. I am not good at using a cutter, always ended up cutting myself. The shape also won't look like how I expected it to be, it doesn't even look like a skull. I realized that this exercise is not that simple.

fig 2.6 first cut and paste

I did my second attempt, this time I trace and cut more carefully to make it as similar as possible to the sketch I did. It's not that bad, even though I still think the sketch is way better. I can't make everything to be exactly the same, but I have tried my best. Really hoping that Dr. Charles will appreciate it.

fig. 2.7 gestalt final

contrast and gestalt final in PDF

behind the work: I forgot to take pictures before and during the progress, but here is after all the mess hahahah. One thing to be kept in mind, I need to find a proper glue stick for future projects! A scented glue stick is nice but it won't apply very well. By the way, I am using all scrap paper for this project, except for the black. Just never throw away things that you can still reuse, it is one of the little things that can help to save the planet!

fig 2.8 aftermath

Exercise 2: Emphasis and Balance

Dr. Charles wants us to create one design for each emphasis and balance using markers or coloured pencils. I did my visual research first, to understand exactly how does the principles work and to find inspirations in getting started.

Emphasis

fig 3.1 emphasis visual research - art by Sandra Chevrier

This artwork is the first one that caught my eyes when I am searching for emphasis and I am thinking to make a similar one. I tried to draw a portrait of Cha Eun Woo but later I am afraid to ruin the whole drawing since I kind of like the sketch I made.

fig 3.2 first sketch

This is my second idea, red tullips with one unbloomed as the emphasis. Most people create emphasis by using a different colour in one of the object, but I wanted to come up with another idea so here is it.

fig 3.3 reference

fig. 3.4 progress

fig 3.5 first sketch result

I don't know why but I hate it very much, so I decided to remake one with the opposite concept. This time I am going to make the bloom flower as the emphasis. Besides, I am using different medium to achieve better visual.

fig 3.6 second attempt result

I really like how this one turned out, especially the colours. But later, when I asked for Dr. Charles feedback, he said the emphasis is there but not strong enough. He also mentioned the word "grapes" when he was giving feedback for my balance exercise (will go back to this later in the balance section), and that gives me the idea for my final emphasis artwork!

fig 3.7 reference

fig 3.8 progress

fig 3.9 final result for emphasis

fig 3.10 unscanned version

I am amazed by how this one turned out! So happy that I discovered a new art style while working on it. I didn't do any sketching beforehand, just playing around with my markers. The key to do it is apply it on a watercolour designed paper and tadaaa! As you can see the emphasis here is the lost green grapefruit, I really like the unscanned version so I can't help to include it here as well.

Balance

Moving on, let's work for the balance. This one is much harder in my opinion. I found this contemporary artwork on Pinterest, and it was a love at first sight!

fig 3.11 balance visual research (

erinarmstrongart.com)

No, I didn't do it based on my visual research, I love to go far from it hahaha. My first idea wasn't approved, Dr. Charles said my object is a group of two. Other than that, two cherries together still need much evaluation whether it is balanced or not. He also made an example, "if I have a bunch of grapes, which means they are grouped, then what am I balancing?" (p.s. this is what I meant when I say Dr. Charles gave me the idea for my final emphasis artwork).

fig 3.12 reference

fig 3.13 first balance attempt

I tried to think of another idea, and somehow came up with this. I thought it is balanced already but Dr. Charles didn't. He showed me how the windows here aren't balanced and asymmetrical. I really did not pay much attention to the details.

fig 3.14 second balance attempt

I got no choice but to think of another concept (again). Here to an extremely random one, at least I finally got my lecturer approval! I drew two ice cream cones with two different shapes and make them face upside down towards each other to give the balance composition. Very lucky that I made it symmetrical without doing any sketches beforehand. I kind of ruined the strawberry ice cream later though, accidentally added too much unnecessary details on it while trying to add a background. Anyways, still love how it turned out!

fig 3.15 final result for balance

fig 3.16 balance final result with background

emphasis and balance in PDF

Exercise 3: Repetition and Movement

This week's exercise, the lecturer wants us to apply the design principles; repetition and movement in our artwork. The medium we can use for this exercise is between watercolours and crayons.

Repetition

I think repetition is easier to apply compared to other principles because I noticed that 99% of artworks that exist do own it. I also found quiet a lot of interesting repetition art from Pinterest.

fig 4.1 repetition visual research (my saved board on pinterest)

I really like the city buildings ones so I tried to recreate (a worse version of it) it during the practical session. It is before I know that our medium for this exercise is no longer markers.

fig 4.2 first attempt

After Dr. Charles said that we have to use watercolour, I did another similar one. However, I only have one brush that is very old and frayed, so the outline looks very messy and it basically ruined everything. I should probably buy a new brush asap:)

fig 4.3 second attempt

Then I tried to make a repetition of rainbows but later I think it is too simple.

fig 4.4 second attempt

Finally, this is my final work for repetition. The undried version of this makes the objects look 3 dimensional which I love it. I really like how it turned out but not that satisfied because I know that I can do better than this. Well, we were assigned about the assignment 2 days before the submission date. I know two days is more than enough to finish this exercise but that is if we don't have any other things to do outside school.

fig 4.5 progress

fig 4.6 repetition result

I want to try making more like what is seen on my Pinterest board, I will update them here later once I have got the chance to do it.

additional artworks:

I did some sketches during the weekend and I kinda like this one. Altough, it is so basic but it somehow makes me smile so I might just put it here. However, I used a drawing pen to do the eyes and mouth, not letting my brush ruin my work for the 1926255th time.

fig 4.7 another repetition practice

I just realized that I actually used a lot of repetition in my previous work. These are some designs that I made for my small shop. I don't know why it is so hard for me to come up with ideas when I have to remember specifically the principle that I have to apply. But when I don't think about it, I can unintentionally apply pretty well.

fig 4.8 my previous work

Movement

Movement is more tricky in my opinion, I don't really find many movement art that I like besides these:

fig 4.6 movement visual research

I tried to recreate the second picture but my 5 year-old little sister said it doesn't look like water.

fig 4.7 recreation attempt

The next one is inspired by the first artwork, the movement of human body. I apply different colour to each to give different moods, seeing this kinda reminds me of 'Inside Out'?

fig 4.8 movement progress

I did another random strokes on separate paper, using pretty much the same colour palette as my repetition final work.

fig 4.9 random strokes progress

fig 4.10 random strokes result

Since the first one looks too background-less and the second one doesn't look strong enough, I decided to merge both skecthes I made into one piece of artwork. Surprisingly, it turns out really good! At this point, I think I like my movement exercise more than my repetition.

fig 4.11 movement final result

Anyway, I am using my very old gouache watercolour set for both drawings. I have zero experience in watercolour so please excuse my amateur work. Will always try my best though!

fig 4.12 behind the sketches

Also, let me introduce you to my one and only frayed paint brush. It is so hard to create details using this and not gonna lie I almost cried due to the number of times I have ruined my own sketches.

fig 4.13 my poor paint brush:(

repetition and movement in pdf

Exercise 4: Harmony and Unity

I had hard time trying to understand the differences in making an artwork that shows harmony and one that shows unity. I know that both have different definitions but I think they are strongly related to each other.

Harmony

I cannot seem to find many harmony artworks on Pinterest that I like.

fig 5.1 visual research

I used the second one as my reference (only the boxes though).

fig 5.2 making boxes

fig 5.3 brief sketches

fig 5.4 painting with acrylics

fig 5.5 progress

fig 5.6 tools I am using

fig 5.7 final result of harmony

fig 5.8 scanned version of harmony

I really like the hearts! As you have seen from figure 3.13 I am currently obsessed with this kind of shapes so I decided to make another one. At first, I regretted the colour palette that I have chosen. But then, I realize that Van Gogh uses a lot of these colours in his works. Well, I no longer hate it hahhaha.

Unity

I found some really interesting artworks for unity, but because I worked a bit too long on harmony, I only got 15 minutes left to do this one.

fig 5.9 visual research for unity

I decided to recreate the flowers one since I don't think I can do the other or come up with a new idea in a very limited time. Also, I remembered a lecturer from my other module told me that one way to practice and improve is through recreating other works and see what we can do about it, so this is what I did!

fig 5.10 progress (1)

fig 5.11 progress (2)

fig 5.12 final work for unity

Again, I feel like I am always so fucked up doing all the exercises for this module. In fact, I cannot paint at all but these exercises kept on making me feel like I cannot even draw. Looking back, I really want to redo the exercises if it is possible. Dr. Charles has given me lots of opportunities to improve my skills but I took it for granted. Should have probably start earlier for future exercises so I can provide better work.

Exercise 5: Symbol, Imagery and Typography

We are finally allowed to use any kind of medium that we would like to for these exercises so I am really excited! First part of the exercise, we are assigned to design an arbitary symbol. Based on my understanding, arbitary symbols are simple signs that can be logically unrelated to the visual of that being but have a strong concept that we have to learn to understand what is the fuction for daily basis.

Symbol

fig 6.1 visual research for arbitary symbols

I was really stressed out trying to come up with a symbol that has not yet existed, suddenly I feel like I see symbols everywhere even on my laptop keyboard and blogger screen when I am writing this. I just realized how powerful they are and how amazing our brain is that we understand how all these symbols work. In fact, symbols have made our life much easier.

fig 6.2 my sketches

At first, I was just sketching out random shapes and then I got this idea. I wanted to create something that can make a change, to help our environment. What about a symbol to reduce the use of plastics? I am imagining this symbol to appear on online marketplaces because I realize that online shopping has grown so much since the pandemic and the use of plastics on this are in fact, increasing very wildly. By clicking on this icon, customers can inform seller that they are okay with less plastics used for their package. For instance, seller can put all ordered products in one plastic instead of one for each. Besides, it can also be used for online food delivery services to not give any additional plastic bag and cutlery for those who decided to not having them. I have experienced this so many times that the restaurant I ordered from delivered so many unnecesary plastic cutleries which will only be a waste at the end of the day.

Back to the design, I started illustrating it in Adobe Illustrator and decided to use the minus symbol instead of cross.

fig 6.3 Illustrating it in Adobe Illustrator

I also tried to apply different colours to it.

fig 6.4 colouring

fig 6.5 final symbol design for less use of plastic

fig 6.6 final symbol design (vector)

Imagery and Typography

For the second part of the exercise, I decided to use this picture I took a while ago. It was a beautiful scenery of Mount Batur that is located in Kintamani, Bali, Indonesia.

fig 6.7 picture I am going to use

fig 6.8 turning it into a night scene

fig 6.9 adding a starry sky details

After I am satisfied with the image result, I added handwritten texts to it. I did this on my phone using my finger and I am feeling so numb now but it is totally worth it. I have always loved handwritten text more than anything else because it feels very sincere to me. The words are originally lyrics from one of my favourite song, Yellow by Coldplay. I am a big fan of stars, I can stare at them for hours. I had a memorable stargazing moment with my best friend so the starry skies always remind me of him.

fig 6.10 typography attempts

I actually like the second one the most but I think it might be too simple for this exercise so I will go with the last one for my final.

fig 6.11 final imagery & typography result

In week 6, Mr. Charles said that he prefer us to create a collage work from magazine cut-out or found objects for the Imagery and Typography exercise.

Since I have always kept my flight and entrance tickets from each places I went in a safe place, I got this idea of making a collage of them.