UCO Design Foundations - Principles in Action

Principles in Action - Project 2

Assignment

Designers must be able to manipulate and control the principles and elements of design to communicate effectively. The elements of design make up a visual vocabulary, while the principles of design provide the organizational characteristics. As designers we must successfully master the use of these principles and elements.

Create two series of seven compositions (14 total) that illustrate seven of the Principles of Design (unity, repetition, variety, balance, emphasis, economy and rhythm). Your compositions will be created using only three Elements of Design (points, lines, and shapes), however you may use as many of these building blocks as is necessary to communicate any particular principle. Remember that “white space” (an area with NO elements) is also a powerful design element. Although color and texture are elements of design, they will not be used for this project. Compose these shapes within a 5” x 5“ field. They will NOT be mounted. Instead you will create a loose cover with a rubber band to hold and protect them. You will hand letter the title “Principles in Action” and your name. The composition of the cover should also be considered carefully.

Learning Objectives

To explore the use of elements and principles of design to communicate visually, to provide more specific terminology for visual information, and to analyze compositions using design terminology.

Process

- Make at least 20 thumbnail sketches for each of the 7 principles and the cover (160 total)

- Based on class critique take your three best ideas for each principle and the cover and improve/revise/create three roughs (24 roughs).

- Based on class critique refine your sets of roughs and covers and improve/revise/create three more sets of roughs (24 refined roughs).

- Based on class critique take your two strongest roughs and the cover to tight roughs (15 tight roughs at full size on Bristol)

- Revise as needed and create finals for the principles using black ink on Bristol board (2 per principle)

- On the back of each final attach a label and hand letter your name and the principle

- Create the cover using Bristol (~10 1/4” x 5”) and a band to protect the finals (an example will be provided).

Hints

It is more effective to use relatively simple geometric forms to communicate the principles. Create your sketches on plain paper to save money. Even though the final will be inked (i.e. drawn with black marker), it may be more effective to do your roughs using cut paper. "Economy" will most likely be the least visually complex composition in each series, and "variety" will most likely be the most complex. "Unity" should fall somewhere between the two. "Rhythm" will most likely be more complex than "repetition" as rhythm is repetition with variety. "Balance" does not necessarily mean symmetric, and generally asymmetric balance is a better approach. Show that you understand the meaning of these words in relation to 2D design through your compositions.

Craft

Craft counts, and you will be graded on it. Please take the time to clean up all stray pencil marks, smudges, and excess rubber cement.

Deliverables

- All of the process work listed

- 14 total finals on 5” x 5” Bristol board

- Plus the loose cover with a black rubber band

Value - 100pts

- Points are earned by doing all of the process work (20%)

- Level of craft on the final (20%)

- Composition (40%)

- Professionalism (20%)

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