Design Principles Task 1（Exploration）

5/2/2024-23/2/2024 (Week 1- Week 3) 

Jie Xuan/ 0356515

Design Principles / Bachelor of Creative Media/Taylor's University

Task 1- Exploration

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Lectures Notes

2. Module Information

3. Instructions

4. UNSDG Goals

5. Artwork

6. Explanation Of The Artwork

7. References

8. Feedbacks

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Lecture Notes

1. Gestalt Theory

law of human perceptions when we perceive objects.

- Principles of Similarity:

Our brain would craft a link between similar elements as a complete picture, shape, or group, even if those are separated.

- Principles of Continuation: The human eye follows the paths, lines, and curves of a design, and prefers to see a continuous flow of visual elements rather than separated objects.

- Principles of Closure: The human eye prefers to see complete shapes. If the visual elements are incomplete, the viewer can perceive a complete shape by filling in the missing visual information.

- Principles of Proximity: Things that are close together seem to be more related than things that are further apart.

- Principles of Figure/Ground: Objects are instinctively perceived as being either in the foreground or the background.

2. Contrast 

- a juxtaposition of strongly dissimilar elements. 

- usually to guide the viewer's eyes to the focal point, or to highlight important information.

3. Emphasis

- it is used to create dominance and focus in a work.

- various elements can be used to create emphasis, such as shape, colour or value etc.

4. Balance

The distribution and visual weight of elements in a composition.

- Symmetrical Balance:

The work of art is the same on one side as the other, a mirror image of itself, on both sides of the centre line.

- Asymmetrical Balance:

It occurs when you can different visual images on either side of a design, and yet the image still seems balanced.

- The Golden Ratio:

Also known as the golden proportion, it can be used as a guide to create visual balance in a composition.

- Rule of Third:

It is a composition guideline that places your subject in the left or right third of an image, leaving the other two-thirds more open. 

5. Repetition

- the use of similar (or identical) elements throughout the work.

- it creates rhythm and pattern within the work, so on increases visual excitement and activeness.

6. Movement

- the way a design leads the eye to follow its path.

- movement in a visual image comes from the kinds of shapes, lines, curves, and forms that are used.

8. Hierarchy

- the choreography of content in a composition to communicate information and convey meaning.

- it guides and navigates the viewers through the following information in sequence.

9. Alignment

- the way the different elements in a design are lined up with each other or a particular part of the page.

- create a sense of unity and cohesion, which contributes to the design's overall aesthetic and perceived stability.

10. Harmony 

- the visually satisfying effect or combining similar or related elements.

- they may fit the same theme, aesthetic or mood. 

11. Unity

- it refers to the repetition of particular elements throughout the design.

- they share a common identity with others and give a sense of oneness, creating a theme.

12. Scale

-Scale and proportion are both design elements that have to do with size

-Scale - the size of a thing in relation to the other objects in a design or piece of art

-Scale - describes the dimensions and dimensions of forms and figures in relation to a certain unit of measurement, which can be determined in two ways: Actual Measurement and Visual estimates based on comparison

13. Proportion

-the size of the parts of an object in relationship to other parts of the same object

-the relationship of two or more elements in a composition and how they compare to one another with respect to size, color, quantity, degree, setting, etc.; i.e. ratio

14. Symbol

A sign, shape, or object that is used to represent something else.

- Pictorial Symbols: Images and simplified graphics.

- Abstract Symbols: It can look like the object they are representing but have fewer details.

- Arbitrary Symbols: It has no resemblance at all to the objects or ideas they represent. It is invented with the meaning constructed.

15. Word and Image

- the combination of text and images leads to bringing out the precise concept in design work.

- suitable typeface strategic positioning of the type will result in visual hierarchy and balance in the work.

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Module Information

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Instructions

Pick a goal from the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDG), and then choose an art/design work which is related to the goal of our choice. Explain why we chose it and what design principles we observed in that art/design piece.

UNSDG Goals

The UNSDG Goal that I have selected is goal no 13. Climate Action. This Goal 13, Climate Action, aims to solving climate change. It encourage countries to work together to reduce global warming, deal with its effects, and build the capacity to handle disasters that caused by climate change. The goal emphasizes adding in climate-friendly practices into policies, raising awareness, and supporting sustainable technologies. It calls for international cooperation to provide financial aid and technology to developing countries. The ultimate goal is to limit temperature rise, cut down on harmful emissions, and create a more sustainable and resilient world for everyone. 

Artwork

Below is a painting that I had chosen for this task. 

"Ice Watch," Olafur Eliasson, 2014

Artist: Olafur Eliasson and Minik Rosing

Year: 2014

Medium: Picture(12 blocks of glacial ice from Greenland, displayed in public spaces)

Size: Variety

Source Link: https://olafureliasson.net/artwork/ice-watch-2014/

Explanation Of The Artwork

"Ice Watch" is a powerful representation of the climate change crisis, directly relating to UNSDG Goal 13.  Large blocks of Greenlandic ice were transported to busy urban public spaces by Olafur Eliasson's creative method, where they were purposefully allowed to take part in a transformation through melting. This physical experience brings the public face-to-face with the effects of climate change in a way that goes beyond the abstract concept of global warming. I chose this piece of art because it effectively and powerfully emphasizes the urgency of taking immediate action to deal with climate change, sparking a discussion about the issue that attracts to the public's awareness. In addition, "Ice Watch" also acts as a catalyst for awareness, encouraging people to engage in the global climate crisis head-on and inspiring teamwork to a more environmentally friendly future.

137 words

The design principles I have observed in "Ice Watch" by Olafur Eliasson and Minik Rosing include: 

Repetition- The arrangement of the ice blocks is carefully considered, creating a sense of equilibrium in the overall composition. Gestalt theory- This art piece present through a sensory experience. When viewers look at the melting ice blocks stacked in different sizes, they are encouraged to look at the whole design instead of focusing only on individual pieces. The audience member observes the ice blocks' similarity in terms of size, shape, and the distance within the ice blocks' which brings through gestalt principles such as similarity. Beside that, the artist let people to touch and walk around the ice blocks make the visual of the ice blocks can be background or foreground also bring out figure ground principle. These design principles strengthen the visual and concept of "Ice Watch," presenting the effective expression of its message about the environmental challenges presented through the melting of ice caps.

References

1.https://olafureliasson.net/artwork/ice-watch-2014/

2.https://www.phaidon.com/agenda/art/articles/2018/december/11/olafur-eliassons-ice-watch-will-give-you-a-climate-change-chill/

3.https://medium.com/signifier/the-melting-world-dfcd9eaf93bd

4.https://www.coe.int/en/web/congress/goal-13#:~:text=In%20order%20to%20reach%20a,policies%2C%20strategies%2C%20and%20planning.

5.https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2018/12/11/artist-olafur-eliasson-installs-melting-icebergs-heart-london/

Feedbacks

Lecturer Feedback

Week 2 feedback: Mr. Charles suggested me to find more angle of the art piece to observe the design principle from the picture. He also tell me cropping is very important. Mr. Charles also suggest me to be more detail when we observe the art. 

Task 2