Design Principles: Exercise 02
31/08/2021 - 17/09/2021 (Week 02 - Week 04)
Adena Tan Sue Lynn (0345769)
Design Principles
Directory
Lecture
Balance
- In our mind, we think of balance as equal. However, that is not always the case.
- Distribution of equal weight
- Visual equilibrium of elements
- Can be either symmetrical or asymmetrical
Symmetrical Balance
- Has equal weight on both sides of a centrally placed fulcrum
- Bilateral balance = equal arrangements of elements on either side of the central axis
- Radial balance = elements are arranged equally around a central point
- Approximate symmetry = equivalent but not identical forms are arranged around a fulcrum line
Figure 1.1 Bilateral Balance
Figure 1.2 Radial Balance
Figure 1.3 Approximate Symmetry
Asymmetrical Balance
- Unequal weight on each sides
- One side may contain a dominant element, which may be balanced by a couple of lesser focal points on the other side
- Dynamic & interesting. Provokes feelings of modernism, movement, energy & vitality.
- Offers more visual variety. However, harder to achieve as elements' relationships are more complex.
Figure 1.4 Asymmetrical Balance
- Known as phi, is a mathematical concept
- Represents perfect beauty
- Guide to create visual balance
- Used to bring harmony, balance and structure
Figure 1.5 Golden ratio in 'Girl with a pearl earring' by Johannes Vermeer
- Composition guideline to create dynamism
- Image divided evenly into thirds
Figure 1.6 Rule of Thirds
- Creates dominance & focus
- Elements such as colour, shapes or value can be used to achieve dominance
Figure 1.7 Emphasis using colour
Repetition
- Active
- Creates rhythm & patterns
- Variety = avoid monotony
- Increases visual excitement by enriching surface interest
Figure 1.8 Repetition
- Leads the eyes in, around & through a composition
- Motion/movement occurs when an object seems to be moving
- Comes from shapes, forms, lines & curves used
Figure 1.9 Movement
- Choreography of content in a composition
- Directs viewers to most important information first
Figure 1.10 Hierarchy in poster
- Edges line up along common rows/columns or along a common centre
- Creates sense of unity & cohesion
- Perceived as stable
- Leads one's eyes through a design
Figure 1.11 Alignment
Instructions
Exercise 02: Choose two (2) principles from Emphasis / Balance / Repetition / Movement. Produce 1 design for each chosen principle.
For the two principles, I have chosen Emphasis & Balance.
Emphasis
To start the process, I went to Pinterest to find some inspiration. I came across these images which had a strong element and used emphasis nicely. .
Figure 2.1 White flower surrounded by yellow leaves
Firstly, I liked how the white flower was the focal point of the artwork as it stands out strongly compared to the yellow and dark green background. Despite the flower and the leaves are filled with lines, the lack of colour in the flower allows it to be eye-catching
Figure 2.2 Horn bill emphasized by the greenery
Next, the artwork above shows a horn bill standing out from the greenery that surrounds it. Compared to the mostly green background, the horn bill's bright warm beak and eye allows it to stand out from the leaves, even thought it appears smaller than nature.
To find a subject for Emphasis, I tried thinking of media I have been into lately. Then, I remembered a K-Drama I finished a few weeks ago, My Roommate is a Gumiho. A Gumiho (구미호) is literally a nine-tailed fox. Its' legend is that it can freely transform into other things, to seduce people and eat their liver or heart (Wikipedia). However, in the show, their telling of the Gumiho is a fox which collects energy from humans. I knew I wanted to make it my subject as it was such an interesting subject to me; especially since I've never drawn a fox before.
Figure 2.3 Gumiho in 'My Roommate is a Gumiho'
With that, I took the Gumiho and nature ideas and went to sketching.
Figure 2.4 Sketch
Figure 2.5 Zoom in of sketch
After the class, I got started on my work. Firstly, I decided get a reference picture, to get a more accurate picture as to what a wolf looks like. Below are two photos which caught my eye.
Figure 2.6 White fox
Figure 2.7 White fox
As I looked kept examining these two photos, I realized that the second photo was more suitable for what I was going for. It had less of a head tilt and the fox looked to be sitting upright, whereas the other was leaning on his paws. Thus, I decided to use the second picture of the white fox as my reference.
Then, I started to draw the wolf. Then, I coloured in its' eyes and nose to keep my mind ahead and remember the focus of the design; its' eyes. This also allowed me to keep track of where the leaves should go.
Figure 2.8 Outline of fox
Then, I started drawing the leaves in the foreground and background. To draw lines into the leaves, I drew and erased for cleaner outlines.
Figure 2.9 & 2.10 Drawing and erasing lines in leaves
Below is the final outline of everything.
Figure 2.11 Outline of design
After drawing the leaves, I input flat colours into the design.
Figure 2.12 Design with flat colours
Then, I used the acrylic brush in Medibang Paint Pro to replicate the fur of the fox. It provided a more messy and airy look, compared to other flat brushes.
Figure 2.13 Fox eye with fur surrounding
Figure 2.14 Final Gumiho
Final Outcome:
Gumiho's Hiding
The above design portrays a Gumiho (구미호) hiding behind leaves. They're hiding, getting ready for the perfect time to strike, and get their meal. Emphasis is focused on the Gumiho's bright yellow eye. It immediately catches one's attention in comparison to the monotonous whites, greys and blacks surrounding it. Emphasis is further captured as the leaves are pointing to the Gumiho's eye, drawing your attention even further.
Balance
When I was looking for inspiration, I decided to look at K-Pop music videos. After watching a few, I suddenly got inspired whilst watching Seventeen's Home;run.
Figure 2.15 Diamond in the Home;run music video
Figure 2.16 Seventeen members surrounding the diamond
It occurred to me that it could bring radial balance if the gem was to be placed in the middle, with hands surrounding it like the above scene.
For the next scene, I noticed that the members were gambling.
Figure 2.17 Playing cards scene
Using the gambling idea, I had an idea to use for radial balance using a roulette wheel.
For the first idea, I did a quick messy sketch to convey my idea.
Figure 2.18 Sketch of hands surrounding diamond
Then, I also did a sketch for the second idea.
Figure 2.19 Sketch of roulette wheel
Figure 2.20 Semi-coloured roulette wheel
However, during Week 04's tutorial (14/09/2021), Dr Charles pointed out something to me. He mentioned I could use the Gumiho from Emphasis and create balance, especially since I was already very in love with it. Agreeing, I knew it would be best for me to make the Gumiho idea continue as it would be symmetrical balance.
First, I had to remove the leaves on the right which were in Emphasis'. I also added a red line to an estimated 'middle'. This allowed for me to see which parts I needed to fill up with more 'fur'.
Figure 2.21 Gumiho without leaves
Figure 2.22 Gumiho in half
I joined the two of them together in Medibang Paint Pro. Upon joining them, I realised the middle needed some work. Hence, I drew in more fur in the middle, making sure it was subtle strokes. I also took note of how this composition perfectly showcases how a Gumiho has more than one tail.
Figure 2.23 Gumiho joining
Figure 2.24 Final Gumiho
Final Outcome:
Gumiho's Watching
An intense stare is transmitted by the lovely Gumiho (구미호). Its' tails sway with the wind, but its' stare doesn't let its' pray lose focus. It seduces its' target slowly, but surely. Symmetrical balance is achieved by the composition. The perfect flip allows for bilateral balance in the frame due to the equal arrangements of the elements. It allows for the Gumiho's stare to burn into one's skin.
Feedback
07/09/2021
Emphasis: Dr Charles suggested cropping to fit the composition better and to allow more emphasis settle onto the Gumiho's eye.
13/09/2021
Emphasis: Dr Charles mentioned that the zoomed in Gumiho has a much better composition.
Balance: I was suggested to use the Gumiho for Balance as I loved it a lot. Dr Charles suggested mirroring the image to create the symmetrical balance.
Reflection
Upon getting the instructions to carry out this exercise, I wasn't entirely sure of what subjects I would end up using. I'm glad this exercise allowed me to learn how to sketch/draw things I never thought I would have (Gumiho & Roulette board). Even if I did not carry out my initial idea for Balance, it allowed me to learn so much on how to mirror an image well. Not only that, this exercise let me realize how useful re-imagining a composition can help it thrive so much. I'm very glad to have learnt this useful information now as my overly focused mind never thought of doing such things before. Besides that, I have also learnt Emphasis and Balance in a whole new way. In conclusion, I would say this exercise has taught me a lot of new things which I am tremendously grateful for.
References
Wikipedia. (2021, August 22). Kumiho. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kumiho
Picture Credits
Figure 1.1 - Origin of Symmetry. Retrieved from https://www.behance.net/gallery/29929187/Origin-of-symmetry
Figure 1.2 - Radial Balance. Retrieved from https://www.pinterest.com/pin/282319470381037844/
Figure 1.3 - Approximate Symmetry. Retrieved from https://www.pinterest.com/pin/458522805813672329/
Figure 1.4 - Asymmetrical Balance. Retrieved from https://www.pinterest.com/pin/771522979919991062/
Figure 1.5 - Golden Ratio. Retrieved from https://tlcgardens.com/the-golden-ratio-part-1/
Figure 1.6 - Rule of Thirds for Beginners. Retrieved from https://www.pinterest.com/pin/23221754318783345/
Figure 1.7 - Emphasis. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/emphasis-speech-and-composition-1690646
Figure 1.8 - Repetition. Retrieved from https://larameeee.tumblr.com/post/37268230460/la-ruche-jegeor
Figure 1.9 - Movement. Retrieved from https://www.pinterest.com/pin/365354588523925280/
Figure 1.10 - Hierarchy. Retrieved from https://www.pinterest.com/pin/46302702409229794/
Figure 1.11 - Alignment. Retrieved from https://www.pinterest.com/pin/241716704989324008/
Figure 2.1 - Retrieved from https://www.pinterest.com/pin/184084703495052032/
Figure 2.2 - Retrieved from https://www.pinterest.com/pin/766667536571668414/
Figure 2.3 - Screencap from My Roommate in a Gumiho. Retrieved from https://www.kpopmap.com/6-differences-between-the-my-roommate-is-a-gumiho-webtoon-and-kdrama/
Figure 2.4 - 2.14 - Personal Documentation
Figure 2.15 - 2.17 - SEVENTEEN (세븐틴) 'HOME;RUN' Official MV. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/UB4FzllQCyc
Figure 2.18 - 2.24 - Personal Documentation
