WEEK 1 // Contrast & Gestalt Theory
28/08/2020 (Week 1)
Fann Man Ling - 0344623 (BDCM)
Design Principle // Dr. Yip Jinchi
Lecture & Exercise
LECTURE
WEEK 1 // 28.08.2020
INTRODUCTION
I missed today's class due to working part time. I watched the recorded video, and learned the platform that we going to use for the class, the module, instructions about weekly exercises. For weekly exercises, we are to use materials that stated in the brief.
Fig 1: Weekly Exercises Instructions
ELEMENTS & PRINCIPLES OF DESIGN, CONTRAST & GESTALT THEORY
Fig 2: Lecture 1
8 Elements of Art:
- Dot
- Line
- Shape
- Form
- Colour
- Value
- Texture
- Space
- Contrast
- Balance
- Emphasis
- Repetition
- Movement
- Harmony
- Unity
CONTRAST
employs the use of opposite qualities to create visual tension, separate parts and build hierarchy.
GESTALT THEORY:
- Figure-Ground
- Similarity
- Proximity
- Continuity
- Closure
Elements & Principles of Design provides fundamental knowledge to further study, explore, discover, and apply them to create communicative design work.
Understanding Contrast & Gestalt Theory facilitates in producing good design work.
Fig 3.1: Elements of Design (Source: Google)
Fig 3.2: Principles of Design (Source: Google)
Fig 4.1: Gestalt Theory (Source: Google)
Fig 4.2: Figure-Ground (Source: Google)
Fig 4.3: Proximity (Source: Google)
Fig 4.4: Similarity (Source: Google)
Fig 4.5: Continuity (Source: Google)
Fig 4.6: Closure (Source: Google)
Fig 4.7: Synchrony (Source: Google)
Fig 4.8: Symmetry (Source: Google)
Fig 4.9: Simplicity (Source: Google)
FURTHER READING:
INSTRUCTION
We were tasked to produce works of design that reflect that specific week's topic. The due date is the following week, such as Week 1's exercise will due on Week 2, etc. For the weekly exercises, we were to use the materials that stated in the "Instructions for weekly exercises" document.
EXERCISE
EXERCISE 1: CONTRAST
Black paper, white paper, glue
IDEATION
IDEA #1
Before I started working on this exercise, I did some research about the explanation of contrast and what it can be applied in one's artwork. Contrast can be created in size, value, shape, texture, colour, typography, and composition.
Originally, I tried to use animal to showcase the contrast and simplify it, as I remembered Dr. Jinchi once said that sometimes simple is better than complex in design in terms of conveying message through the artwork.
So, I came out with this:
Fig 1: Idea 1_Sketch (06/09/2020)
IDEA #2
But, Dr. Yip said the giraffe wasn't my own design as that has some matching design in the background because the giraffe is a silhouette of the animal.
I then sought for inspiration on Pinterest, a new idea came to me.
Fig 2.1: Idea 2_Sketch(06/09/2020)
Fig 2.2: Inspiration (Source: Pinterest)
PROGRESS
Firstly, I drew it on a black A4 paper, then cut based on it. Lastly, glued it on another clean white A4 paper.
Fig 3: The cutting process (06/09/2020)
Final Work:
Fig 4: Contrast_Final work. jpg (06/09/2020)
EXERCISE 2: GESTALT THEORY
IDEA #1
When the Gestalt theory first introduced to me, the first thing that come into my mind is skeleton, as it always reminds me of something dark and deep. As to my understanding, Gestalt theory always presents something that have double meaning or hidden meaning and it is deep, in a way, raising awareness of a particular issue. Therefore, I decided to create something included skeleton.
At first, I just simply drew a skull in black and white:
Fig 5.1: Idea 1_Sketch (07/09/2020)
However, Dr. Jinch advised me to make it more unique, as it is so general and common, she wanted me to do my own design, perhaps adding some patterns to it or cut the skull into half and reverse another half of the skull. So, I made some changes on it:
Fig 5.2: Idea 1_Refined Sketch (07/09/2020)
IDEA #2
But then, I think it is too simple and lack of creativity to make it become my own design. So, I pondered quite a while meanwhile staring at the trees outside my sister's shop. All of a sudden, the idea of tree inside the skull came to me. I quickly sketched it out.
Fig 6.1: Idea 2_Sketch (07/09/2020)
After received feedback from Dr. Jinchi. I remade the design by replacing the birds with graveyard which represent death.
Fig 6.2: Idea 2_Refined Sketch (07/09/2020)
In my interpretation, the design represents the circle of life. Trees with leaves (eyes) represent alive; Graveyard (teeth) represents death.
PROGRESS
Same goes to this, I first drew it on a black A4 paper and cut it, then glued it on a white A4 paper.
Fig 7: The cutting process (07/09/2020)
Final Work:
Fig 8: Gestalt Theory_Final work. jpg (07/09/2020)
FEEDBACK
General Feedback:
- No plagiarism is allowed.
Specific Feedback:
(But I found it looks heavy and the free and chill vibes while enjoying playing violin gone when I made it to thicker, so I remained the original version.)
REFLECTION
Overall, I believe that I have a better understanding on contrast and gestalt theory. Interestingly, when I began to work on this exercise, I started to notice everything surrounding me, even the little inconspicuous thingy can be my source of design idea.
I felt hard at first as I've noticed my classmates are better and more creative than me. Besides, I never expected that the assignment will be given in the first week. I felt stressful and worried that I couldn't catch up with the class.
Luckily, Dr Jinchi is so helpful and patient in guiding us and I met a good friend in the class. I feel encouraged that I believe everything's going to be fine as long as I work harder.
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