Design Principles, Golden Mean and The Rule Of Thirds.

On Thursday last (march 26th), our lecture covered the basic priciples of design, the Golden Mean, or Golden Ratio and the Rule of Thirds.

Some of the principles covered were; simplicity, unity, emphasis, balance, space, movement and proportion.We learnt that negative space is as important as positive space when it some to compostion, less is sometimes more (KISS, KEEP IT SIMPLE STUPID!), creating focal points doesn`t mean sticking it in the middle but by using other terchniques such as colour and light, placement and emphasis we can divert the viewers eye to the main part of an image.

The Golden Mean, which is known also as the Golden Ratio, The Golden Rectangle and the Golden Section, amongst others is a ratio which is used by artists and architects alike to create objects and images which are pleasing to the eye. Using the ratio of 1.6 to 1, the Parthenon was built and Da Vinci painted the Mona Lisa. To explain this take A as being 0.6 and B as 1, combining A+B to create 1.6. The ratio states that sum A+B  is proprtionate to B as A is Proportionate to B. Mathematicians use this principle with the Golden Rectangle in algebra and the Logarithmic Spiral. This has been found in nature, notably withe Nautilus shell. It can also be seen in a side profile of a closed fist.

The Rule Of Thirds is a composition rule in imaging that allows for an inage to be divided into 9 equal parts by disecting 2 horizontal and 2 vertical lines into the image. The 4 centre, or POWER POINTS can be used to frame the main subject or only 1 of the 4 can touch the subject to draw the viewers eye to a particular part of the image.

Digital Creativity lesson 3

POSITIVE & NEGATIVE SELECTION EXERCISE.

Today we went further into photoshop using various tools to portray someone in a positive or negative light. Our unwitting guinea pig was mr showbiz himself, Louis ” i believe in angels” Walsh. I stuck him up the clouds with some wings and a halo, and, also little cherubs to audition for his new band.

I gave him an outer glow and rotated him a little so it looked like he was soaring upwards. I also did an evil louis for contrast. This one is my favourite. Our home assignment was to convey whether it was safe to overtake on the left and dangerous to overtake on the right on the back of a truck using only illustration. I made a mess on the first one put them wrong way round but the message is there.

Semiotics

Semiotics, or the study of signs and symbols was founded by Swiss linguist Fredereic Saussure. He intended to discover the relationship among patterns and its perception and meaning. His model was called the DIADIC model comprising of two core elements, the SIGNIFIER and the SIGNIFIED. The signifier was the word or symbol on the sign, e.g., OPEN, and the signified was the meaning or concept that the shop is open for business. Signs are central to semiotics. A sisgn is a pattern of data which, when percieved, brings to mind something other than itself.

There is also a second model, the TRIADIC model, founded by the American philosopher C.S. Pierce. According to Pierce there were three parts. He wasn`t satisfied with there being just the signifier and signified to the interpretation of signs and symbols. There was a third way which depended on the cultural interpretation of the viewer. The three fundamental blocks of the Triadic model are; DATA- The sign. OBJECT- The real world thing or person the image resembles and , CONCEPT- The thought that forms in the mind. Concept realtes to your experience of that symbol. For example; if you were to see the flag of the U.S.A. and depending on your personal experience of all it evokes, would come to the conclusion that it represents freedom, democracy and independence or, aggression, war and capitalism.

Signs and symbols are very strong parts of  everyday life. What we read, what we look at. While language can deliver information successfully, it is signs and symbols which pack the harder punch. “A picture tells a thousand words” goes the old adage. A universal method that predates, and supercedes language in the expression of ideas and thought.

Digital Creativity Lesson 2

Today we started using  the Photoshop CS4 interface. I found this a great program to use and quickly we were creating our own image using different selections from one picture to combine into a new, original piece. Using various fruit and vegetables, a composite picture was created of a “Mr Potato Head” type figure. Our home work was to make up road signs by ourself and to come up with an illustration with suggested words like ant farm ahead, fortune teller etc..

Some Pix I like that I took myself.

Digital Creativity lesson1

 

The first lesson covered today was the boxes exercise. We drew only boxes which were used to convey six words, namely, order, increase, bold, congested, tensions and playful. This seemed easy at first but when limited to one shape to convey words and emotion, it proved challenging.

The second exercise was was drawing  10 symbols to illustrate positive and negative. Again, coming up with 10 images was tough at first but once i got two or three down, it became easier to visualize.

Hello world!

Hello there!

This is my first time using WordPress and blogging in general. Sure, I have been on bebo and facebook, only to keep in contact with friends near and far. I`m using WordPress as a tool to catalogue and display my progress while attending IT Blanchandstown where I`m doing an 8 week course in Digital Creativity. I hope that you will visit me often and comment on my progress. All suggestions, good and bad will be most welcome.

Cheers and all that.

Martin.