Week 14: Visual Techniques

 

Contrast

Instability

Simplicity

Transparency

Accent

Asymmetry 

Contrast

Balance

Symmetry

Complexity

Exaggeration

Boldness
Intricacy

In the first image the cubic structure and placement are the obvious clues to the results of the techniques the design incorporates. The contrast between elements of nature and minimalism creates an unbalance between the structure and its environment. The structure is simple and configured asymmetrical, but the cube blends into the background, because the color yellow looks transparent against the tone of the background. The second image is symbolizing the left and right brain into two different parts that are distinguished by different characteristics.  The color palette are bold and the design incorporates  intricacy and complexity. The image is a true symbol for the right and left brain, because the right brain is more creative and practical, where the left brain is logical and numerical.

Week 13: Contrast

Identify and explain how the use of contrast is contributing to success:

This image is a good example of successful contrast within fashion design. The colors that are used creates a contrast, and the color choice for this Stella McCarthey trench coat is complete opposite from the white pants. The color sharpens the design of the jacket and creates a balance, but the yellow jacket next to white pants is seen warm and less dramatic. The success of contrast is the choice of color blocking and using a light color that doesn't blend in with the bright yellow. The image is an example of contrast in color and effects simultaneous contrast, because both colors are interacting with one another and complementary colors, which influences our perception of its color.

Identify and explain how the use of contrast is contributing to failure:

The combination of colors that the couple chose is a failure in contrast. The red and gold dress is acceptable in contrast, but the suit is the reason that this image is failing in contrast. Even though contrast is when two elements are different and in this case color, although the colors do not complement each other. The lack of focus causes the viewer to have difficulty understand where their attention should be, because the color contrast is so disperse and a failure of contrast.

Week 13: Movement/Motion

 

I have been looking to invest in a wall decal and this image caught my attention by the implied motion of the falling leaves and swaying branches. The pattern of apparent motion also known as, optical flow is what makes this wall decal successful implying motion in its design.  The implied motion makes the tree look realistic and the genuine flow of the leaves implies the motion. If you stare at the tree it looks as if a heave wind is coming by that is sweeping the leaves off the branch. Indicating that the seasonal change of the environment is happening. The long trail of leaves at the end of the decal create an illusion that the leaves are following each other and it is more linear.

                                                 

These glass sculptures are a perfect example of implied movement. They look like they are dancing or slithering.  It is so easy to imaging some psychedelic music playing in the background and glass is moving to the rhythm. The shape gives the illusion that they are made out of a flexible material. It looks like the glass are going to move around like worms. This implied movement is very unique because glass is a labor intensive material to work with and these pieces are all different and one of a kind. It really is incredible that slight curve can really change a piece of art so much. And even through this implied motion and distortion, the glass pieces are functional vases. 

Week 12: Dimension/Depth/Space/Scale

This is a painting of my favorite place in Turkey called Bebek. The picture exemplifies depth, scale, and dimension. I noticed many depth cues in the painting for example, overlapping of the trees is covering the rest of the bay and boats that are on the water, along with a few homes. The use of overlapping is a depth perception cue that is probably the most important cue, because when an object overlaps or partly blocks our view of another object, we judge the covered object as being farther away from us. Relative size is another cue that provides information about the relative depth of the two objects. All the boats, for example are so far away that their size is smaller compared a boat closer, and therefore larger in size. The texture gradient of the trees in the distance becomes denser and less detailed as the surface recedes into the background, and this information helps us to judge depth. I enjoyed the lesson of depth perception, because the terms I learned are relevant to all types of design. Scale is the size perception in context and in this painting the building are an obvious hint of scale, because we know that they are not small at a closer distance, so therefore this taken at a far way distance.

Week 11: Tone and Color

 

This poster for the movie, "Little Princess" features the elements of tone and color within the design and is one of my favorite movies about friendship. The poster is shaded and the edges that line the characters around the poster are filled with light to visually see them better. The tone in this poster visualizes dimension and allows color to be emphasized. Tone is interacting with the visual design elements of lines. The two friends are holding hands and the use of  tone is grabbing our attention to the top of the poster, because of the levels are a way to show detail within the human figure. Color is operating by using the pop-out effect because the bright color used to illustrate the girls stands out from the dark background. According to Dondis, "Color has stronger affinity to the emotions" (p.50). Therefore, means that the the color helps illustrate the emotion of the overall image. This image must be showing live, compassion, and trust. The direction, shape, and color of the characters signify all those examples. Overall, tone and color are telling a story to the viewer about the story line, and therefore important to the  complete visual communication.  

Week 10: The Basic Elements of Technology

Texture

http://www.ckie.com/project/interactive-ambiance-iphone-dock

The Black Diamond was designed by Ken Ouyang, and a 3D facet textured interactive mood lighting iPhone dock. The dock is faceted and is appears to have a diamond's texture that illuminates more color and is aesthetically pleasing to the eye. The facet texture offers elegance and a beautiful form compared to iPhone docks that are white blocks. Faceted is a popular trend that is used frequently in the design industry. The texture is the visual element and in this case it involves both visual and touching senses, in order to be recognizable.  Since the designers of the Black Diamond developed this product to combine utility, aesthetics, and enriching experience, its texture has a sensual involvement to the consumers. A diamond's texture forms this product into a functional piece of art.  

Shape

 

http://www.yankodesign.com/2011/09/16/diy-soap/

The Re-Q by designers, Jung Hwan Song and Kim Jong Won, uses the basic element of shape. The eco-friendly soap maker is shaped by three different circles that ranges from small to big. The circle has association to endlessness and protection and the Re-Q uses recycled waste water to make new soap bars, which is a prosper method of sustainability. The shape allows easy-user interaction and the identifies the three-step process. 

Direction

http://www.designswan.com/archives/fujitsu-flexbook-innovative-folding-tablet-netbook-concept.html

The Flexbook, by Hao-Chun Huang from Fujitsu, is a flexible notebook that has various directional features. The Flexbook uses the basic element of direction expressed from a square, the horizontal and vertical. The horizontal and vertical is referenced from the flexibility of the notebook into directions that are easy to maneuver and innovative. This design is well-balanced, and since it can be configured in different ways the role of the product can be switched from a notebook to tablet allowing the consumer more technological options. The Flexbook can be also formed into a diagonal direction that refers to stability. 

Week 9: Visual Thinking

The puzzles I chose to play with were," The Cat" and "Counting and Triangles 2" with my father that is a confident game player and always looking for a competition. These puzzles was a great way to practice the visual operations involving "pattern perception". We timed out each puzzle to 30 seconds each and both my father and I discovered different techniques and strategies.

Above is the first puzzle and I used the techniques of carefully counting the triangle even outside its broders and looking for patterns within the cat's body.

 

 The next puzzle was a bit more difficult and we both were far from the right answer. We both counted the first sixteen trianlges and I counted two more big triangles after since the visual operation was determining the desired patterned. 

My father used a simple and easy techniques by just counting the triangles that are within the borders and of the same color, because he didn't read the instructions or realize that counting the triangles outside the same color was permitted. 

After my father learned how the method of pattern perception works he was closer to the right answer and path than I was for this puzzle. We counted the first obvious 16 and found 8 larger ones within the square. As he visually noticed patterns immediately his perception was active.