Chuah Kwai Pin / 0348376
Design Principles / Bachelor of Design (Hons) in Creative Media / Taylor's University
Exercise 3 (Harmony, Unity, Symbol, Word & Image)
LECTURES:
Week 4:
Lecture 4: Harmony & Unity
Lecture 4: Harmony & Unity
1) Harmony
- Involves the selection of elements that share a common trait.
- Without variety, the change or slight difference in elements in a composition, harmony becomes monotony.
- The sense that all elements of your design fit together in the same theme, aesthetic style or mood.
2) Unity
- The repetition of particular elements throughout your design to pull the look together (colours, shapes or materials).
- Composed in a way they are balanced and give a sense of oneness, creating a theme.
- Unity and harmony may sound similar, but they each play distinct roles in the way we experience design.
Scale and Proportion
Both are design elements that have to do with size
3) Scale
- Size of one object in relation to the other objects in a design or artwork.
- Refers to the size and dimension of figures and forms, relative to a specific unit of measure.
- 2 determination ways: Actual measurement and Visual estimation based on comparison.
- Used to specify or illustrate details based on the relative sizes of objects.
4) Proportion
- The relationship of two or more elements in a composition and how they compare to one another with respect to size, colour, quantity, degree, setting and more.
- It is harmonious when a correct relationship exists between elements with respect to size or quantity.
- Effective use of proportion in design results in harmony and unity.
Week 5:
Lecture 5: Symbol, Word & Image
Lecture 5: Symbol, Word & Image
1) Symbol
- A sign, shape, or object that is used to represent something else (Cambridge Dictionary, 2020)
- Can provide or convey information, equivalent to one or more sentences of text or even a whole story (Eco, 1976 & Petterson, 2015)
- Pictorial Symbols- Image-related and simplified pictures
- Abstract Symbols- Look like the objects they represent but have less detail
- Arbitrary Symbols- Have no resemblance at all to objects or ideas they represent. Many are based on geometric shapes and colours.
2) Word & Image
- Image is a crucial part of design which helps users and viewers to relate to a concept or brand if the right images are used in the design
- It is also as important to choose the right words to pair with the imagery to deepen the meaning of design.
- Typography is the design and arrangement of text to convey a message or concept. Suitable typeface and strategic positioning of the type will result in visual hierarchy and balance in a work of design.
INSTRUCTIONS:
Week 4 & 5: Harmony, Unity, Symbol, Word & Image
Your design process:
· visual research
· idea exploration and description
· final outcome in PDF and short rationale
· feedback by lecturer
· reflection on the particular exercise
Visual Research:
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| Fig. 1.1 Harmony |
For my visual research, I found some some interesting works of harmony that involves elements of the same colours and style. In the first picture from the left, the overall colour of the work is cool with a combination of blue and purple, and the background of the artwork is achieved using repetitive circular shapes. In the second picture, the overall artwork follows the same theme of plants, using several shades of green to create harmony. In the last picture, the artwork is overall green and yellow, with a slight addition of white to add a little accent.
For unity, the artworks I have found are all balanced and the elements within the works are somewhat grouped together to create a sense of oneness. In the first picture, there is a repetition of elements of the same theme but different colours. In the second picture, the ice creams are balanced with similar scoop sizes and the same base and top height. In terms of colours, it is somewhat harmonious as well. For the last picture, the three pencils are grouped together in a jar, emphasising on unity of similar elements.
For symbol, the first one is pictorial as it is clear that it is a symbol of a crown. Since crowns are commonly associated with pointed tips, the pictorial symbol uses intersection of lines to achieve that. In the second abstract symbol, it resembles an owl with just the different strokes of lines and geometrical shapes. Lastly, for the arbitrary symbol, at first glance it does not resemble any object that we know of. However, it does take the shape of the letter 'M' so it might be related to a brand name starting with that said letter.
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| Fig. 1.2 Unity |
For unity, the artworks I have found are all balanced and the elements within the works are somewhat grouped together to create a sense of oneness. In the first picture, there is a repetition of elements of the same theme but different colours. In the second picture, the ice creams are balanced with similar scoop sizes and the same base and top height. In terms of colours, it is somewhat harmonious as well. For the last picture, the three pencils are grouped together in a jar, emphasising on unity of similar elements.
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| Fig. 1.3 Symbol |
For symbol, the first one is pictorial as it is clear that it is a symbol of a crown. Since crowns are commonly associated with pointed tips, the pictorial symbol uses intersection of lines to achieve that. In the second abstract symbol, it resembles an owl with just the different strokes of lines and geometrical shapes. Lastly, for the arbitrary symbol, at first glance it does not resemble any object that we know of. However, it does take the shape of the letter 'M' so it might be related to a brand name starting with that said letter.
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| Fig. 1.4 Word & Image |
As for word and image, I searched for posters and infographic designs that are very well designed and have an overall similar theme colour. From these 3 works, I notice that choice of typeface plays a very important role when it comes to word and image, as well as the balance between positive and negative space.
For my first idea of harmony, I wanted to try a collage work of green succulents as they have very interesting petal-like leaves. I picked out different species of succulents but with similar shades of green to achieve a sense of harmony in terms of colours. I also added the hexagonal shapes as a background which helps in grouping the succulents to achieve a sense of unity.
REFLECTIONS:
Idea Exploration and Description:
Harmony:
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| Fig. 2.1 Harmony of Succulents |
For my first idea of harmony, I wanted to try a collage work of green succulents as they have very interesting petal-like leaves. I picked out different species of succulents but with similar shades of green to achieve a sense of harmony in terms of colours. I also added the hexagonal shapes as a background which helps in grouping the succulents to achieve a sense of unity.
Image sources for succulents:
https://www.kindpng.com/imgv/iRbiTwh_picture-top-down-view-succulents-hd-png-download/
https://www.pngitem.com/middle/JJRxbw_echeveria-succulent-succulent-top-view-png-transparent-png/
https://yellowimages.com/images-360/products/succulent-plant-yi3603878
https://succulentsbox.com/collections/indoor-succulents/products/sempervivum-pink-flamingo
Word and Image:
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| Fig. 2.2 Poster for fruit smoothies |
For word and image, I wanted to try something fresh and vibrant with colours so I picked these image of fruit smoothies. In the original picture, the smoothies were placed on a table in a straight line. However, to make posters more interesting, the smoothies will have to look as if they were emerging from somewhere, hence the juice splashes in the background and additional lines for effects. For the word, I decided to go with a sans serif font for a more informal and playful approach.
Image source for fruit smoothies: https://www.homecrux.com/17-year-old-teen-becomes-instagram-star-with-colorful-vegan-food-arrangement/106411/amp/
Image source for fruit smoothies: https://www.homecrux.com/17-year-old-teen-becomes-instagram-star-with-colorful-vegan-food-arrangement/106411/amp/
I also wanted to try a pictorial / abstract symbol so I had the idea of making a strawberry juice symbol using only triangular shapes for the strawberry and rectangles for the straw. For colour, I used shades of red and green that are closest to the real shades of a strawberry. I also added slight gradient to the red so that it is not too flat overall.
Week 5: Finalising after feedbacks
.png) |
| Fig. 2.4 Harmony and Unity of Succulents |
After the feedback given on Week 5, I decided to make some rearrangements to the succulents so that it looks more grouped together and less scattered. By doing this, it achieves both sense unity and harmony.
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| Fig. 2.5 Word and image poster of fruit smoothies |
For the poster, l made some slight adjustments and additions to the words. I have changed the word "and" to the ampersand symbol "&" and added a splash to it. I also added relevant fruit elements above the words to make it more interesting so that it is not just plainly text.
FEEDBACK:
Week 5:
Harmony & Unity (Fig. 2.1): The overall colour harmony is good, but can explore the grouping of the succulents so that it also achieves the principle of unity as well.
Word & Image (Fig. 2.2): The word "and" in "fresh and fruitylicious" can be replaced with an ampersand (&) so that there is room for other graphical elements.
Pictorial & Abstract Symbol (Fig. 2.3): There is also a sense of unity in this work. Overall, it is a good work.
Word & Image (Fig. 2.2): The word "and" in "fresh and fruitylicious" can be replaced with an ampersand (&) so that there is room for other graphical elements.
Pictorial & Abstract Symbol (Fig. 2.3): There is also a sense of unity in this work. Overall, it is a good work.
FINAL OUTCOMES:
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| Fig. 3.1 Harmony and Unity |
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| Fig. 3.2 Pictorial and Abstract Symbol |
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| Fig. 3.3 Word and Image |
REFLECTIONS:
While working on this exercise 3, I realised that both harmony and unity can be found together in one piece of artwork. While harmony can usually be seen as unity, unity on the other hand can be achieved without harmony. As I was attempting to work with principle of harmony, it seemed like it could achieve a sense of unity as well, hence I combined both into one artwork.
For symbol and word and image, I found these 2 to be the most interesting to work with. The idea of using simple geometric shapes with a play of colour to resemble realistic objects requires a some experimentation and analysis. Whereas for word and image, choice of typefaces, pictures and background are also important to set the mood for a target audience.
For symbol and word and image, I found these 2 to be the most interesting to work with. The idea of using simple geometric shapes with a play of colour to resemble realistic objects requires a some experimentation and analysis. Whereas for word and image, choice of typefaces, pictures and background are also important to set the mood for a target audience.
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