Design Principles - Exercises & Projects
27.08.18 - 29.11.18 (Week 1 - Week 14)
Tamara Audrey Saputra (0335846)
Design Principles
Exercises & Projects
Lectures
Lecture 1: Contrast
27.08.18 (Week 1)
We began our first class with an introduction to the module which was followed by a lecture on contrast. Contrast is one of the design principles of art. It refers to the arrangement of opposite elements (colors, lines, etc) in order to create intriguing visuals. Contrast is very helpful to catch the viewer's attention.
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| fig 1.1: A 2000 novel cover by Chipp Kid (left) and a 1920's magazine cover by H.N. Werkman (right) |
By the end of the class, we were given the assignment to create a piece that resembles contrast. Using any pen, marker, or pen on an A4 paper. Black and white.
On my first attempt, I decided to draw a semi-realistic portrait using a pen as I'm comfortable with it. Here, the contrast lies in the composition. However, to me, the final result doesn't seem to fit into the theme right.
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| fig 1.2: Contrast #1 |
During my second attempt, I decided to play more with black and white blocking. This piece was inspired by an Indonesian painter, Heri Dono. Nevertheless, I feel that it wasn't strong enough.
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| fig 1.3: Heri Dono's artworks (Left) and Contrast #2 (right) |
There was a rough visualization of deformed portrait for my last-attempt-piece, inspired by an artwork during the critique session that I saw as a figure stylized minimalist with a fuse of Dali's style due to its long slender legs (when instead it was a chili & pepper when rotated), but was not sure on how to realize the idea. Hence, I look through Picasso's artworks as the resemblance with my visualization is strong. However, I decided to only take the strong geometric aspect of Picasso's as his cubism was too complicated for me.
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| fig 1.4: Contrast #3 (Left) and The Weeping Woman by Pablo Picasso (Right) |
Feedback
Contrast #3 is the final outcome. Ms. Sherry gave a positive comment regarding the final piece. She said that it was a unique choice to stylized a portrait and overall it has a nice composition.
Lecture 2: Gestalt
03.09.18 (Week 2)
In this class, we were introduced to gestalt, a psychology term that refers to "unifies whole". Where the human eyes render visual objects by grouping similar elements, identifying patterns and simplifying complex images. There are 5 categories in gestalt:
1. Proximity: Proximity occurs when elements are placed close together. They tend to be perceived as a group.
2. Similarity: Similarity occurs when objects look similar to one another. People often perceive them as a group or pattern.
3. Continuity: Continuation occurs when the eye is compelled to move through one object and continue to another object.
4. Closure: Closure occurs when an object is incomplete or space is not completely enclosed.
5. Figure: The eye differentiates an object from its surrounding area. a form, silhouette, or shape is naturally perceived as a figure (object), while the surrounding area is perceived as ground (background).
This task is quite daunting in its own way. At a glance, it looks simple but during the execution, it was definitely a struggle to come up with an idea that combines two objects seamlessly. Here, are the few sketches during the brainstorming.
The first idea was to combines a pointing finger that is commonly associated with blaming someone and fuse it with a side profile of a man that has a long nose wich symbolizes lying.
The second one, I want to bring up pollution as my theme. Hence, I decided to make the plastic bag as the subject as its one of the biggest concern in today's world. Meanwhile, the faces surrounding it resembles the indifferent reaction we still get despite the problem being so urgent. This idea of eyes was highly influenced by one of Noma Bar's piece shown above.
I decided to finalize the second idea as to me the message is conveyed a lot stronger.
1. Proximity: Proximity occurs when elements are placed close together. They tend to be perceived as a group.
2. Similarity: Similarity occurs when objects look similar to one another. People often perceive them as a group or pattern.
3. Continuity: Continuation occurs when the eye is compelled to move through one object and continue to another object.
4. Closure: Closure occurs when an object is incomplete or space is not completely enclosed.
5. Figure: The eye differentiates an object from its surrounding area. a form, silhouette, or shape is naturally perceived as a figure (object), while the surrounding area is perceived as ground (background).
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| fig. 2.1: Gestalt Examples |
This task is quite daunting in its own way. At a glance, it looks simple but during the execution, it was definitely a struggle to come up with an idea that combines two objects seamlessly. Here, are the few sketches during the brainstorming.
The first idea was to combines a pointing finger that is commonly associated with blaming someone and fuse it with a side profile of a man that has a long nose wich symbolizes lying.
The second one, I want to bring up pollution as my theme. Hence, I decided to make the plastic bag as the subject as its one of the biggest concern in today's world. Meanwhile, the faces surrounding it resembles the indifferent reaction we still get despite the problem being so urgent. This idea of eyes was highly influenced by one of Noma Bar's piece shown above.
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| fig. 2.2: Design Process |
I decided to finalize the second idea as to me the message is conveyed a lot stronger.
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| Fig. 2.3: Final Result |
Feedback
In general, Mrs. Sherry said that the gestalt is subtle which is nice and she loves that I managed to come up with a theme behind it.
Lecture 3: Symmetry, Asymmetry, Balance, Dominance/Emphasis
14.09.18 (Week 3)
Symmetry: When elements are arranged in the same way on both sides of an axis. There are rotational, reflectional, and translation symmetry.
Asymmetry: Asymmetry is when the arrangement of elements are different on both sides of an axis.
Balance: The distribution of visual weight of objects, colours, texture and space in a composition.
Dominance/Emphasis: The one with the greatest visual weight.
Out of all of these topic, we were asked to choose one of the topic and create and artwork based on it. I decided to pick dominance as it appeals to me.
The following image is my composition plan. All of these sketches are based on a theme that looks at social issues around us. Such as how most of todays' babies are glued to their gadgets and how some youths decided to be blind about their country's unity state.
I decided to continue with the fourth plan which talks about social gap/inequality in Indonesia. By using the largest amount of Rupiah (Rp.100.000) and the most common small money (Rp.2.000).
The emphasis here is weighted on the two pieces Rp.100.000 as it is red in color which allows it to stand out to the rest of the muted blue colour.
Symmetry: When elements are arranged in the same way on both sides of an axis. There are rotational, reflectional, and translation symmetry.
Asymmetry: Asymmetry is when the arrangement of elements are different on both sides of an axis.
Balance: The distribution of visual weight of objects, colours, texture and space in a composition.
Dominance/Emphasis: The one with the greatest visual weight.
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| fig. 3.1: Top: Asymmetry (left), Balance (right) Bottom: Symmetry (left), Emphasis (right) |
Out of all of these topic, we were asked to choose one of the topic and create and artwork based on it. I decided to pick dominance as it appeals to me.
The following image is my composition plan. All of these sketches are based on a theme that looks at social issues around us. Such as how most of todays' babies are glued to their gadgets and how some youths decided to be blind about their country's unity state.
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| fig. 3.2: Composition Plan |
I decided to continue with the fourth plan which talks about social gap/inequality in Indonesia. By using the largest amount of Rupiah (Rp.100.000) and the most common small money (Rp.2.000).
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| fig 3.3: self-taken reference photo |
The emphasis here is weighted on the two pieces Rp.100.000 as it is red in color which allows it to stand out to the rest of the muted blue colour.
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| fig. 3.4: Final Result |
Feedback
Mrs. Sherry was pleased to see the result. She said that the placement and the red color of the money have made it interesting despite the repetitive blue money surrounding it.
Lecture 4: Pattern, Repetition, Texture, Surface
18.09.18 (Week 4)
In today's class, our friends explained to us about pattern, repetition, texture, and surface.
Pattern: any regularly repeated arrangement, especially a design made from repeated lines, shapes or colors on a surface.
Repetition: repeating a single element many times in a design.
Texture: quality of an object which we sense through touch. It exists as a literal surface we can feel, but also as a surface we can see, and imagine the sensation might have if we felt it.
Surface: allows us to see things in 2-dimensional perspective but we would know what it is made of.
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| fig 4.1: Example of pattern, repetition, texture and Surface |
I decided to make repetition in mind and chose potatoes as my main tool. As it is easily available, although, I really want to use linocut due to the preciseness and details it offers but then I'll have to buy the materials and the carving tools again.
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| fig 4.2: Materials (Carrot, Potatoes, and Acrylic paints) |
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| fig 4.3: First Attempt |
After my first attempt, I wasn't satisfied with the result. Hence, I give it another go. While I was figuring out what to make, suddenly, I thought of Basquiat's iconic crown and Naufal Abshar's "HAHAHA".
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| fig 4.4: Basquiat's painting and logo |
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| fig 4.5: Naufal Abshar's artworks |
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| fig 4.6: Final Result |
Feedback
We paired up with our classmates for the critique session. My friends told me that it looks cute and reminded them of Sesame Street.
Lecture 5: Alignment, Hierarchy, Placement, Direction
25.09.18 (Week 5)
Alignment: Is the arrangement of visual elements so they line up in a composition.
- Edge Alignment
- Center Alignment
- Visual/Optic Alignment
Hierarchy: Refers to the arrangement or presentation of elements in a way that implies importance
Placement: The change and position of shapes or objects that can affect the visual depth and composition of an artwork.
Direction: leading the eye to the next location.
Our assignment is to make a collage based on one of the topics. I opted for left alignment.
At first, I made the background of the piece by cutting strands of magazine papers that is within my color palette (black, shades of red, and mustard yellow) and arrange them one by one.
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| fig 5.1: Background |
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| fig 5.2: Composition Plan |
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| fig 5.3: Final Result |
As for the final result, I feel like I could do better. It looks quite boring somehow. Probably because I was afraid of putting too many elements since the background is already too crowded.
Feedback
Mrs. Sherry said she appreciates the meticulous background I made and find it alone interesting. Overall, she does notice the left alignment.Lecture 6: Dot, Line, Size, Scale
02.10.18 (Week 6)
In this week's theme, the theme is quite straightforward with its name: dot, line, size, and scale.
For this exercise, I opted for lines. The lines can be seen in the hatching technique and the background. Here, I used watercolor, pen, and marker.
I picked red as the background as red is commonly associated with fierce, and this aligns with the expression of the subject. As for the subject's color scheme, it is based on Vitoria Duarte's paintings.
In this week's theme, the theme is quite straightforward with its name: dot, line, size, and scale.
For this exercise, I opted for lines. The lines can be seen in the hatching technique and the background. Here, I used watercolor, pen, and marker.
I picked red as the background as red is commonly associated with fierce, and this aligns with the expression of the subject. As for the subject's color scheme, it is based on Vitoria Duarte's paintings.
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| fig 6.1: Vitoria Duarte's Painting |
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| fig 6.2: Final Result |
Feedback
Ms. Sherry and my friends commented that the red color background evokes this psychological uneasy feeling.
Lecture 7: Harmony, Movement & Rythm
09.10.18 (Week 7)
Harmony: Harmony can be described as sameness, the belonging of one thing with another.
Movement: Movement is the path of the viewer's eye takes through the work of art often to focus on areas.
Rhythm: Rhythm indicates movement, created by the careful placement of a repeated element in a work of art to cause a visual tempo or beat.
For this exercise, I opted for 'harmony'. At first, I wanted to do 'movement' however it wasn't approved.
I scrolled to my old photos and I discovered this photo I took a while ago back in Bali, my hometown. It was the morning after Nyepi, also known as The Silent Day. Where for 24 hours no one on the island are allowed to roam around outside their house and no lights are permitted, this includes shutting down the airport for a day. However, of course, it doesn't apply to hospitals and other emergency services. Nevertheless, the morning after Nyepi, I always look forward to the sunrise as the air feels fresher and the whole atmosphere feels tranquilizing.
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| fig 7.1: Example of Harmony, Rythm, & Movement |
For this exercise, I opted for 'harmony'. At first, I wanted to do 'movement' however it wasn't approved.
I scrolled to my old photos and I discovered this photo I took a while ago back in Bali, my hometown. It was the morning after Nyepi, also known as The Silent Day. Where for 24 hours no one on the island are allowed to roam around outside their house and no lights are permitted, this includes shutting down the airport for a day. However, of course, it doesn't apply to hospitals and other emergency services. Nevertheless, the morning after Nyepi, I always look forward to the sunrise as the air feels fresher and the whole atmosphere feels tranquilizing.
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| fig 7.2: The surrounding environment |
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| fig 7.3: Final |
Feedback
Not much feedback was given.
Lecture 8: Shapes/Forms and Figure/Ground
18.10.18 (Week 8)
Today we are introduced to shapes/form and figure/ground. Out of this topic, I decided to make an artwork based on shapes/form.
The style and color scheme of this piece is inspired by Heri Dono's (fig 1.3) and Danu Fitra Nugraha's artworks.
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| fig 8.1: Fetra Danu's Painting (source: @fetradanu) |
This artwork's underlying message is about a kid who's trapped in an adult body. It is emphasized by the yellow color background which symbolizes cheerfulness, the cloud of imagination that pops out of his head, the egg pattern on his boxer, and an overall fantasy look. However, it contradicts with the formal shirt he's wearing along with a tie, as well as the furry legs of his, that represent his adulthood life.
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| fig 8.2: Progress |
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| fig 8.3: Final Result |
Feedback
Some of my friends said that it gives out a fun feeling and also the style is interesting.
Lecture 9: Proximity, Perspective, Proportion, Unity & Variety
26.10.18 (Week 9)
In this lecture, we were briefed about this week's exercise topics.
Proximity: Objects near each other are seen as a unit
Perspective: An art technique for creating an illusion of three-dimensions (depth and space) on a two-dimensional (flat) surface.
Proportion: Proportion refers to the relative size and scale of the various elements in a design
Unity: When all of the elements of a piece combine to make a balanced, harmonious, complete whole.
Variety: Is a design principle that embraces diversity of structure, rules, look and feel.
I decided to opt for atmospheric perspective and create the exercise artwork digitally using Photoshop.
The following picture is a view of the mountain range in Queenstown, New Zealand that I took from the plane. I use this as a reference.
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| fig 9.1: Referenced Photo |
Here, I used a textured brush to make the artwork less dull and I used a monochromatic blue color to project the cool ambiance of the scenery.
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| fig 9.2: Progress |
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| fig 9.3: Final Result |
Feedback
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Project 1: Self-Portrait
(Week 7 -8)
In this project, we are asked to make a self-portrait that reflects our personality, or that represents us.
I wanted to show that I am a spontaneous, expressive person at times and likes to finish things at one go. With that in mind, I thought of doing expressionism. While searching for expressionism inspiration in Pinterest, I stumbled across this artwork by Andrew Salgado.
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| fig 10.1: Reference by Andrew Salgado |
Hence, I decided to take a portrait of myself for my reference that has a high contrast lighting. The expression here is made as such since I was finding that folds in order to make the final piece more interesting.
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| fig 10.2: Self-portrait reference |
At first, I wanted to make this piece with that technique of as showed above, however, it was hard to mix the skin peach colour since the paint dries too fast due to acrylic's nature and the reference above uses oil paint. Therefore, I only made the portrait out of red and blue monochromatic colours to simplify it.
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| fig 10.3: Progress |
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| fig 10.4: Final Result |
Feedback
Ms. Sherry said that it is nice and it seems to be a really sad painting.
Project 2: Sense of Place
(Week 8 - 10)
For this project, I decided to go to KL as I go there often. There, I stumbled upon a temple while strolling around Petaling Street. A Taoist temple I later found out known as Guan Di temple.
I've always been fascinated by the details of such Chinese architecture, which is why I was lured into entering the temple when I passed by it. The following pictures are the shot I took there. The sky was quite cloudy which is why the pictures are rather underexposed, but, on the bright side, It created an overall moody tone.
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| fig 11.1: Shots |
Here is the process of the editing done in Photoshop CC 2018.
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| fig 11.2: Process |
For the cylinder vase, I enhance the color hue because I was inspired by the color of the roof which is quite greenish and it complements the warm temperature surrounding.
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| fig 11.3: The Final Result |
Feedback
Ms. Sherry said that it was interesting and quite different. Especially, with my choice of bright and contrasting colors.
Final Project
(Week 11- Week 14)
For our final project, we were asked to analyze and take pictures of the billboards that are around us. Deriving from there, we are then asked to create an artwork that's inspired and related to these billboards.
There was a week of holiday (e-learning weel) during the project and I had already planned a trip to go back to my hometown. Hence, I decided that I'll collect look for billboards there. The following pictures are the billboards I managed to capture while I was on the road.
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| fig 12.1: Billboards |
I notice that most of these billboards are about concerts that are held in either a hotel or up-scale bars in Bali, mostly sponsored by beer brands. And apparently, I realized that all of these places takes place at one of the most recognized and night-life area, Kuta. From this, I decided that I wanted to depict the upbeat side of Bali but still embracing the culture that has become its identity.
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| fig 12.2: Sketch |
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| fig 12.3: Sketch |
Next, I tried to find a symbol that could represent the cultural aspect of Bali. I came up with a set of objects: Tari Pendet (traditional dance), Kecak dance (traditional performance), masks, and last but not least the iconic Balinese Barong. I opted for Barong as I believe that the idea of it being associated with Bali is already established in many of the peoples' mind, hence, the message conveyed is crystal clear just like how billboards tend to be.
As for the party side, I realized that in lots of today's concert, especially, electronic-dance-music (EDM) songs concert the lighting color is usually a play of red and blue color or something that's bright with a dark background.
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| fig 12.4: Color Reference |
To complete the research, I searched up artists that might help and inspire me to make my final assignment work more complete. I ended up with two names: Monez and Eko Nugroho. Both of them are Indonesian artists. Monez is an illustrator whose work has been recognized internationally and he often incorporated Balinese touch in his works since he's originated from there. Meanwhile, Eko Nugroho is a contemporary artist whose work has also been exhibited in many countries. I was exposed to his work just recently when I went to a contemporary art exhibition in Bali.
To get started and get a grasp of what I want, I edited a picture of Barong that I found on the internet and change its color in Photoshop.
In the beginning, I thought of doing it digitally since I thought I could play with the colors more. However, after several attempts, it just didn't feel right. Hence, I decided that I'll stick to the traditional way, acrylic paint.
Here is the sketch of the Barong with pencil on A3
The process of painting the barong.
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| fig 12.5: Eko Nugroho (Left) & Monez (Right) |
To get started and get a grasp of what I want, I edited a picture of Barong that I found on the internet and change its color in Photoshop.
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| fig 12.6: Photo Reference |
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| fig 12.7: After editing in Lightroom |
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| fig 12.8: Color Experiment |
In the beginning, I thought of doing it digitally since I thought I could play with the colors more. However, after several attempts, it just didn't feel right. Hence, I decided that I'll stick to the traditional way, acrylic paint.
Here is the sketch of the Barong with pencil on A3
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| fig 12.9: Final Sketch |
The process of painting the barong.
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| fig 12.10: Process |
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| fig 12.11: Process |
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| fig 12.12: Process |
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| fig 12.13: Process |
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| fig 12.14: Final Result |
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