Design Principles- Task 1: Exploration
3/2/25 - 17/2/25 // Week 1 - Week 3
Chuah Shu En // 0368157
Design Principles // Bachelors of Creative Media (Honours) in Creative Media
Task 1: Exploration
Table of Contents
Lectures
Gestalt Theory:
A theory which states that our eyes tend to perceive things as a whole
rather than individual parts. Gestalt principles include;
- Figure-ground: The thought that we separate objects to focus on its figure or background
- Similarity: The notion that we place objects with similar characteristics in a group (shape, size, texture)
- Proximity: That we group together objects that are close to each other
- Closure: That our minds close together objects that are not necessarily complete, in order to create a whole
- Continuity: The belief that we follow objects that are visually aligned until they are interrupted
- Order: That alignment and symmetry are attractive and essential in design
Fig 1.1, Gestalt theory (7/2/25)
For example, in Figure 1.1 the mechanical equipment are all similarly
coloured and close together, thus fulfilling the principle of similarity
and proximity and our eyes would view it as a whole.
Contrast:
Fig 1.2, Contrast (7/2/25)
The juxtaposition, or comparison, of strongly dissimilar elements that
provide visual interest.
- The background being blue and the flag being orange, which are contrasting colours
Emphasis:
Fig 1.3, Emphasis (7/2/25)
Visually enforcing something you want the viewer to pay attention to.
Strategies include using different colours, values, size etc- to train the
viewer's eye to instinctively skip to the focus of the artwork.
- The main focus, which is the rabbit girl, being more saturated and colorful compared to the background and her being the only object in the scene
Balance:
Fig 1.4, Balance (7/2/25)
Balance is the visual distribution of weight which results in a sense of
equilibrium or stability. It can be symmetrical, asymmetrical or radial
(arranged around a central point).
- Figure 1.4 demonstrates asymmetrical balance with the placement of the characters
Repetition:
Fig 1.5, Repetition (7/2/25)
Elements in a regular, cyclic fashion. Strengthens a design by tying
together individual elements, bringing a sense of consistency and creates
rhythm.
- The repetition of the ghost knights silhouettes and flag poles create a repeating pattern
Movement:
Fig 1.6, Movement (7/2/25)
Source: https://www.xbox.com/en-US/games/genshin-impact
Uses aspects such as lines, placement, unbalanced elements to suggest
motion and guide the viewer's eye in a still image.
- The flow of the green magic powers direct our eye to the brand logo in this promotional art
Harmony & Unity:
Fig 1.7, Harmony & Unity (7/2/25)
Source: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/13088655162454278/
Harmony involves the selection of elements that are similar whereas unity
is the repetition of particular elements throughout a design that create a
sense of oneness (similarly related elements which compliment each other
to form a unified whole).
- There is a consistent colour palette and texture used in Figure 1.7 to create that unified look.
Symbol:
Symbols are a sign, shape or object used to represent something else, which
conveys information or a story.
Fig 1.8, Pictorial Symbol (7/2/25)
Pictorial symbols are simplified pictures and image-related.
Fig 1.9, Abstract Symbol (7/2/25)
Abstract symbols look like the object they represent but are very
simplified.
Fig 2.1, Arbitrary Symbol(7/2/25)
Arbitrary symbols have no resemblance at all to what they represent,
it is something we have to learn. For example, the save icon in Figure 2.1.
Word and Image:
Imagery and words are very important as viewers are able to relate with the
concept or brand more if the right pairing of words and imagery are
used.
- The cute imagery is complimented by the rounded font and pastel colours, which are tied to the Sanrio brand
Instructions
<iframe
src="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1jG8xcrGozCyCsSUVTdUsp1mT92OAdpyI/preview"
width="640" height="480" allow="autoplay"></iframe>
Task
Sarkaz's Furnaceside Fables
Artist: HISKNNIA
Year: 2024
Medium: Digital
Size: 2867px X 5100px
This image is from Arknights, a chinese gacha game developed by Hypergryph
and released in May 2019. It is known for its well-done character designs,
CG artwork and has collaborated with well-known artists and organizations
such as China Film Archive.
It piqued my interest as it uses a lot of design principles to it's benefit
and the result is a very nice looking poster. The shattered mirror
demonstrates movement which directs our eyes as the viewer to
the focus of the artwork, the pink-haired girl. Not only that, the usage of
lens flare and saturated colour further creates emphasis on the space
we are supposed to focus on. Furthermore, there is contrast between
the softness of the character and the harshness of the shattered glass.
Word and imaging are also thought out properly as the font of the
text is on brand for 'Arknights' and the image represents the current
ongoing story.
Feedback
Week 1:
Introduction to the module.
Week 2:
Continue work and show more progress by the next week.
Week 3:
Replace "image" with "figure" in my explanations.
Change the image example for contrast as the original image didn't represent
contrast.
Explain more on balance.
Change the image example for harmony and unity to something that fits better.
Change the image example for arbitrary symbol as it was used in a lecture
slide.
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