Launching the Imagination / Pg. 66-81 / 355

Principals of Two-Dimensional Design

"Composition can be defined as the combination of multiple parts into a unified whole"(Ch.3, Pg.66).

These parts consist of line, shape, texture, value and color. As the piece is created one of these parts may become "stronger" visually so the other parts have to keep up or at least compliment the stronger part. Once these parts are in unity the piece comes together visually.

"Unity can be defined as similarity, oneness, togetherness, or cohesion. Variety can be defined as difference. Unity and Variety are the cornerstones of composition"(Ch.3, Pg.66).

With each new piece we create comes a new compositional challenge we need to face. There is no formula that can help decide what goes where, this is why practice makes perfect. The more we work with these challenges the better we will become in defeating them. 

"Excessive unity can be monotonous, while excessive variety can be chaotic" (Ch.3, Pg.67)

According to "Gestalt psychology", visual information is understood holistically before it is examined separately. 

There are six essential aspects of Gesalt:

Grouping: one of the first steps in the process of creating order and connection between a colelction of separate visual units.

Containment: "A unifying force created by the outer edge of a composition or by a boundary within a composition" (Ch.3, Pg.69).

Repetition: "Occurs when we use the same visual element or effect over and over" (Ch.3, Pg.70)

Proximity: "The distance between visual elements" (Ch.3, Pg.70)

Continuity: "A fluid connection among compositional parts" (Ch.3, Pg.70)

          If one were skillful in creating continuity they would be good at creating movement in a design which is where the pieces of the composition are connected visually to direct the viewers attention to areas of particular interest or a focal point. 

Closure: "The mind's inclination to connect fragmentary information to produce a completed form" (Ch.3, Pg.71).

Now that we know what all the principals of Gesalt are we can combine them in a single piece.

"A pattern is created when any visual element is systematically repeated over an extended area" (Ch.3, Pg.72).

"A grid is created through a series of intersecting lines" (Ch.3, Pg.72).

"Compositional grids are most commonly created using vertical and horizontal lines. The Unifying power of a grid is so great that even the most disparate information gains cohesion when a grid is used" (Ch.3, Pg.73).

"Balance refers to the distribution of weight or force within a composition"(Ch.3, Pg.74).
To me this means the weight the combined dark and light colors, different shape sizes, weight and overall shape all have to even out throughout the piece. Its as if the whole piece were balancing on a cone and the more you add or subtract to every spot available on the piece the more it balances out. which brings us to the next topic, Visual Weight.

"Visual weight can be defined in two ways. First, weight refers to the inclination of shapes to float or sink. Second, weight can refer to the relative importance of a visual element within a design" (Ch.3,Pg.74).

The principals that can change visual weight are size, type of shape, value, location, orientation and texture.

One piece that was influential to me was Bernice Abbott's "Exchange Place, New York" because of the orientation of the canvas selected and the shapes within the piece that compliment the choice of canvas. Black and white photos, skyscrapers and natural lighting are all personal favorites of mine as well. 

Works Cited: 

Steward, Mary. Launching the Imagination: A Comprehensive Guide to Basic Design. 4th ed.

          New York, Ny: McGraw-Hill, 2012, 2008, 2006, 2002. Print.