EXPANSION OF THE SQUARE

Today in class we discussed the Principles of Design and the Japanese concept of Notan. The "take-away" for the day was the rule of composition: one large shape (dominant), a few medium shapes and one or small shapes.  Examples of the today's project are below. The powerpoint and directions for this project as well as the powerpoint for the Principles of Design are located on the class Canvas page.

 This design has a powerful central shape fringed with medium shapes that enclose the smaller shapes.

 This design effectively uses repletion with all the rectilinear elements.

 This design reveals strong adherence to the rule of composition. Of particular note are the small jagged shapes.

 The mask-like arrangement of shapes presents a strong sense of "unity."

This design effectively uses diagonals. The image is reminiscent of a figure doing jumping-jacks.

EXPANSION OF THE SQUARE

On Wednesday we discussed the five Art Elements and The Principles of Design (click above for details). Our project was one that explored the relationship of light and dark and more importantly Positive and Negative areas. Students began with a 5 in. square. The objective was to create a symmetrical design where the white areas mirror the black. The design was to consist of one large (dominant) shape, some medium sized shapes and a few small shapes.

Aidan

 Aidan's design exhibits a strong and visually interesting dominant shape flanked by spiral linear elements and minimal speech bubble-like shapes at the top and bottom.

Alex

Alex has created an insect-like design with a large, central, dominant diamond shape reminiscent of a mouth. The variously sized teeth shapes re-enforce this appearance. The medium sized shapes on the left and right are similar to insect arms and legs including a single claw. 

Jordan

 Jordan has created a design with many repeating triangles. Most interesting is how the angular edges imply a circle within the square.

Lexi

Lexi has very clearly used multiple sizes of shapes within her design. In addition, the shapes are illustrated as solids as well as outlined. Her design effectively employs Value, Shape and Line. 

POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE RELATIONSHIPS

For our first project students explored the relationship between the positive and negative areas within a design. The objective was to create a symmetrical composition establishing a single dominant shape in the center of the design supported by medium and small elements while maintaining the integrity of the square. In the designs below, now the variety of sizes and shapes. In addition, all of the designs use linear elements combined with the shapes.

Austyn

Malia

Manuel

In the second collage, students explored asymmetrical compositions. The objective was to address the rule of "One large shape, a few medium shapes and one or more small shapes."

Enrique

Tai

NOTAN: Expansion of the Square

Bettina Schoefer Gordon

Katelynn Pizzio

Vicotria Le

Last Thursday the class continued exploring positive and negative relationships. Working with a 5 in. square the class made symmetrical compositions by cutting and flipping the pieces without destroying the square or having any waste. The real challenge was creating a composition with a strong central, dominant shape.
Bettina's design has a spider-like quality with arcing diagonals and a bold, convex central shape. The outside curvature is a good contrast to the straight lines of the square.
Katelynn has skillfully introduced a circular shape into the design. The protruding linear elements imply diagonals again in contrast to the square.
Victoria has created a very dynamic design with diagonals inside the the square. Again, the central shape is convex with elements shooting outward from the core.

BALANCING THE POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE: Expansion of the Square

Scott Russell

Yesterday the class explored the relationships between positive and negative areas of a composition. The project (Expansion of the Square) forces the artist to address both positive and negative areas by cutting shapes from a square and reversing them creating mirror images in white and black. There is no waste or left over pieces. Scott's design above is a very dynamic and rhythmic composition. The shapes appear to twist and form a circle within the square.

Rukhsana Kamal

Rukhsana's design illustrates the concept of NOTAN (the perfect balance between dark and light, neither shape trying to dominate the other). There are three criteria for Notan 1. The negative area must be enclosed creating an interesting shape. 2. The image must be reversible; the black and white areas my swap values without changing the balance. 3. The positive and negative areas must be able to trade roles; positive seen as negative and negative seen as positive. In the design above, the flower may be seen both as solids as well as cut-outs in a screen.

Gianna Davy

At the end of class students made asymmetrical designs based on the same concepts. Gianna's dynamic and flowing image is reminiscent of a figure in motion with outstretched arms and legs.

CHARACTERISTICS OF SHAPE: Expansion of the Square

Monica Contreras

Monday began with a lecture on Shape. We discussed the differences between geometric and organic shapes, positive and negative, shape and form  as well as the affects of shape on content. The project involved cutting linear and shape elements from a 5 inch square of black paper and flipping them over to create a symmetrically balanced design.