Design Principles // Exercises : Contrast & Gestalt

28/08/20 -6/09/20 (Week 1 - 2)
Caitlyn Aurelia Tjandra (0339381)/BDCM
Design Principles 
Exercises -  Contrast and Gestalt

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Lecture

Week 1 (28/08/20): Elements of design, principles of design, contrast, and gestalt theory

Today is our first class for design principles. We meet our lecturer Dr. Jinchi Yip. She starts the class with a briefing of the introduction of the module and rules of engagement for the class. We were also showed exemplary work by our senior and the importance of documenting our journey. The design process, reflection, attempts, visual research, sketches and etc are important for us as a designer to further understand design.

After class, we were told to watch the lecture video about our first lecture topics.

The lecture consists of a brief lecture presentation regarding fundamental elements and design principles. Then, she further explore on our first week's topic which is contrast and gestalt theory, I also did some research on my own to further enhance my knowledge about this topic, which you'll be able to see below.

Elements of Design

Individual Components 

 Elements of design are different types of parts that can be used in the creation of any given composition or design. This consist of 8 elements : 

    1. Dot / Point = a single dot or mark that has position but is otherwise limited 

    2. Line = a series of connected points

    3. Shape = closed lines

    4. Form = three dimensional shapes

    5. Colour / Hue = how eye perceives reflected light

    6. Value = darkness or lightness of a colour 

    7. Texture ( Real / simulated) = appearance of a surface material

    8. Space = frame an item or object in a composition

Principle of design

the concept use to organise or arrange elements

There are 6 basic principles of design such as: 

1. Balance = arrangements of design
2. Emphasis = visual weight of an element 
3. Repetition = can create sense of movements by repeating or alternating elements
4. Movements = shapes and values can create movement
5. Harmony and Unity = relationship or connection between various parts within the composition and their relationship or connection as a whole.
6. Contrast and Gestalt Theory 

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Exercise

Week 1 ( Contrast & Gestalt)

CONTRAST:

Research

Contrast is the difference in values, colors, textures, and shapes to create visual excitement and add interest in the work.

This week's task, we need to produce artwork that shows contrast by using black and white paper-like materials. Before I did sketches, I decided to analyze the term 'contrast' further by searching for reference on Pinterest.

Fig 1.1 ( Black and White Reference)

Contrast could be distinguished even without colors. Black and white is the perfect sense of creating contrast as both color is the opposite spectrum of color. The darkness complements the light as well as light compliments dark. Which is enhanced by using elements of design such as lines and shapes in Fig 1.1. 

Lines could be seen used prominently in Fig1.1, since it doesn't use color to distinguish contrast, the design evokes a sense of minimalistic and easier to see. In my opinion, I really like how it uses lines to create shapes, which I think it creates a sense of simplicity and elegance to the design.

After that, I figured that I want to make my contrast design focusing on line elements but also have a meaningful meaning to them. therefore, I began my investigation on a line drawing and this was a reference I found on Pinterest.

Fig 1.2 Line BnW Reference

Therefore, after doing my research on contrast and figuring out what theme of design I want to do, I finally figure out ideas that I want to reciprocate in my design. The different thickness of lines in fig 1.2 gives a difference ambiance to each design. The thicker the lines gives you more weight and in my opinion portrays a more approachable sense. The thinner the line, the contrast becomes more detached to each other which leads to a more simplistic theme. However, since I'll be using paper material, I need to also take notes on how to make my design appear more approachable and how lines created in paper could look a lot different than digital drawings. 

Now, it's time for my sketch. I need to compile my ideas into paper and make them become real. Therefore, this are sketches I did on my notebooks.

Exploration

For this week's sketches, I wanted to relate my work to what we have been experiencing over the year, Which is the corona pandemic. I wanted to convey a sense of confinement and portray a longing sense of freedom. 

Fig 2.0 Initial thumbnail sketches

Fig 2.1 Eyes from the window sketch 1

Fig 2.2 Eyes from a window sketch 2

Fig 2.1 is my process thought of us at home not being able to go out. while we see outside through the window, we're bound by the terrifying thoughts of the possibilities that you will get virus infection. I added extra small eyes for fig 2.2 to create a more dramatic effect.

Materials

After getting the feedback, I went ahead and make my design in real life. Since the brief said to use black and white paper, I went and bought the material.

Material that I use for this project: 

Fig 3.0 Materials

Final Outcome

This were my process transferring my digital design into the black and white paper. Since my design has a complicated curves and a small lines, it is hard for me to cut through them without breaking.

Fig 3.1 First try and fail

This was my first try and my first time using an art knife. The eyes were my biggest problem since it was hard to obtain a nice curve. Since I am not satisfied with this final product, decided to make one more.

Fig 3.2 Eyes on the window process

Fig 3.3 Final low angle

Fig 3.4 left angle

Fig 3.5 right angle

Fig 3.6  'Eyes on the window' Final

I was more satisfied with my second product, as it is cleaner and the lines were seen more clearly. The eyes also have the shape of an actual eye rather than an overlapping paper. 

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Gestalt :

In this exercise, we were told to make a design about one of the design principles called gestalt. Gestalt is a study of how people perceive the world. The material assigns to us for this exercise is black and white paper as well. Gestalt perfectly compliments the black and white theme. This is because the elements could be perceived more clearly by the audience with the usage of contrasting colors such as black and white. Before I went to process my sketches, I need to further explore the concept of gestalt.

Research

Gestalt Theory includes 5 different types of gestalt. The 5 types of gestalt theory are such as:

1. Figure round (foreground vs background, what did you look first?)

Fig 1.1 Figure Round

This gestalt Theory focuses on the negative space of the work and challenges the way our brain processes the negative and positive space. In this work, there will be two distinctive objects working closely with each other. This is usually used in psychology to differentiate between personalities by figuring out which object your eyes see first.

2. Similarity (magazine designs)

Fig 1.2 Similarity

In this gestalt theory, similar elements are visually grouped together, regardless of the proximity to each other. They can be grouped by color, shapes, or sizes. This is used to tie elements together into one. 

3. Proximity ( groups, own specific space)

Fig 1.3 Proximity

In this gestalt theory, it perceives of how close the elements are to eachother. The strongest proximity relationship are between overlapping subjects, but just by grouping objects into a single area can also have a strong proximity effects.

4. Continuity ( look at a design without a break, flowing, leading the eye)

Fig 1.4 Continuity 

This continuation can be a valuable tool when the goal is to guide a visitor’s eye in a certain direction. They will follow the simplest path on the page, so make sure the most vital parts they should see fall within that path.

Since the eye naturally follows a line, placing items in a series in a line will naturally draw the eye from one item to the next.

5. Closure 

Fig 1.5 Closure

It’s the idea that your brain will fill in the missing parts of a design or image to create a whole. For example, is Fig 1.5, there is a whole chunk of negative space of the curve hand, however, your brain has no problem filling in the missing sections to see the whole image of the lamp bulb.

Exploration

With the same Pandemic concept as the contrast, I also wanted to incorporate coronavirus into my gestalt work.

Fig2.3 Butterfly-hand wing

Fig 2.4 Butterfly-hand wing inverted

Fig 2.5 Added Elements

Fig 2.3 is a butterfly with hands as a wings. This relates to what butterfly is as a symbolic elements. Butterfly is popularly known as symbols of freedom. Since the pandemic outbreak, we are trapped inside our own houses and even if we do go out, we are chained to wear mask. Mask is now an essential daily life thing, almost as important as bringing phone where ever you go. We longed for a sense of freedom, where we don't have to wear mask nor being cautious of every person you come in contact to. 

Fig 2.6 Quarantine mask sketch

As for Fig 2.6, It tells the same story of a mask being the essential thing for everyone. Especially quarantine feels almost like a jail. We are forced to keep out from the outside world, therefore we won't have to meet anyone with has a higher possibility of getting infected. The gestalt part of this is how the mask is supposed to be a jail and I also incorporated a hand coming out to enhance the feeling of confinement. However, with the heavy contrast of black and white, this could also be a contrast.

Final Outcome

Since I have done the contrasting eye on the window first, I already got used to the technique of art knife. therefore, I didn't have as many problems for this composition.

Fig 3.7 Butterfly hand final left view

Fig 3.8 right view

Fig 3.9 'Butterfly hand' final composition

Fig 4.0 Quarantine Mask process

Fig 4.1 Mask white outline

Fig 4.2 left angle

Fig 4.3 Right angle

Fig 4.4 'Quarantine Mask' Final Composition

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Feedback 

Week 2

Specific Feedback: Dr. Jinchi said that my work is interesting and it is good that I have a theme with my work. She said that my quarantine mask design could be incorporated for both concepts, gestalt, and contrast. She said to post my work on the blog and I can move on. She also reminded me to post my sketches exploration into the blog.

Week 4

General Feedback: After the submission of all our final design, we have received personal feedback on our work. We received our feedback through the Microsoft team's personal chat from Ms. Jinchi. 

Specific Feedback: There are idea explorations found for Gestalt and contrast. The final ideas for both principles have a purposeful meaning (Covid-19) behind the work and successfully reflect the principles.

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Reflection

Experience: This was a new experience for me. Since I have no design background all of this is new. However, I do find this subject quiet fun as we get to explore more on the practical use of materials. 

Observation: I didn't realize there are quite a few techniques in design. I learn more than what I have expected through this journey. I also get to observe my friend's work during feedback class and I was able to open my mind to a new perspective.

Findings: I was taken back that this lesson has found me a new side of myself that I didn't know. I find that I am a little bit a perfectionist. during the final composition, I had a hard time using the materials which had me a few mistakes and complication. I was spending almost half a day perfecting every little detail.