Monday, January 20, 2020

Noma Bar

Today we are working on our second project.   I will come around and help you work out design and finalize your designs for you projects.    I am also happy to help out with any other issues you might like assistance with.  If you are just joining us.  Please see project guidelines and lecture materials by clicking on this link:

You are selecting ONE of the following Gestalt Principles:

1. Continuity
2. Similarity
3. Proximity
4. Closure

Here is a refresher of the laws we reviewed in Tuesday's class. 



The Gestalt Principles


SIMILARITY / CONTINUATION / CLOSURE / PROXIMITY / FIGURE & GROUND

Gestalt is a psychology term which means "unified whole". It refers to theories of visual perception developed by German psychologists in the 1920s. These theories attempt to describe how people tend to organize visual elements into groups or unified wholes when certain principles are applied. These principles are:
Similarity
Similarity occurs when objects look similar to one another. People often perceive them as a group or pattern.


The example above (containing 11 distinct objects) appears as as single unit because all of the shapes have similarity.
Unity occurs because the triangular shapes at the bottom of the eagle symbol look similar to the shapes that form the sunburst.

When similarity occurs, an object can be emphasized if it isdissimilar to the others. This is called anomaly.


The figure on the far right becomes a focal point because it is dissimilar to the other shapes.

SIMILARITY / CONTINUATION / CLOSURE / PROXIMITY / FIGURE & GROUND / TOP

Continuation
Continuation occurs when the eye is compelled to move through one object and continue to another object.


Continuation occurs in the example above, because the viewer's eye will naturally follow a line or curve. The smooth flowing crossbar of the "H" leads the eye directly to the maple leaf.

SIMILARITY / CONTINUATION / CLOSURE / PROXIMITY / FIGURE & GROUND / TOP

Closure
Closure occurs when an object is incomplete or a space is not completely enclosed. If enough of the shape is indicated, people perceive the whole by filling in the missing information.



Although the panda above is not complete, enough is present for the eye to complete the shape. When the viewer's perception completes a shapeclosure occurs.
Examples


SIMILARITY / CONTINUATION / CLOSURE / PROXIMITY / FIGURE & GROUND / TOP

Proximity
Proximity occurs when elements are placed close together. They tend to be perceived as a group.



The nine squares above are placed without proximity. They are perceived as separate shapes.





When the squares are given close proximity, unity occurs. While they continue to be separate shapes, they are now perceived as one group.



The fifteen figures above form a unified whole (the shape of a tree) because of their proximity.

SIMILARITY / CONTINUATION / CLOSURE / PROXIMITY / FIGURE & GROUND / TOP

Figure and Ground
The eye differentiates an object form its surrounding area. a form, silhouette, or shape is naturally perceived as figure(object), while the surrounding area is perceived as ground (background).
Balancing figure and ground can make the perceived image more clear. Using unusual figure/ground relationships can add interest and subtlety to an image.


Figure
The word above is clearly perceived as figure with the surrounding white space ground.



In this image, the figure and ground relationships changeas the eye perceives the the form of a shade or the silhouette of a face.




This image uses complex figure/ground relationshipswhich change upon perceiving leaves, water and tree trunk.

GESTALT PDF EXERCISE SHEET


IDEAS:



In the image above we are seeing several phenomena.   The law of closure around the figure, the law of similarity in our mind's need to separate the figures into light blue and dark blue, and finally, the law of proximity allows us to see two groups (or figures) based on how close they are to each other.

 Above we see the edges of the words create "CLOSURE" which signifies to us, the viewer, the shape of the light bulb.
 Above, we are also seeing the law of "Closure" happening.

 We can see the law of continuity applied in the image above.  Because of the placement of the squares in a spiraling pattern, we visualize linear spirals towards the center of the composition.

 In the image above, we are seeing the effects of two phenomena again. because of the direction of the lines, we are seeing continuity create a shape, or closure of the box shape in the center.
 The Above image illustrates the gestalt principle of closure.   The edges of the horizontal lines create the shape of a fish.
 In the above image, we are seeing several phenomena occur.  The PROXIMITY of the shapes force the viewer to group the sets of shapes.   SIMILARITY also helps that process.   We perceive the shapes as a tree with a grouping of leaves at the top of the image.


What principles are you seeing in the above image?

NOMA BAR





Wednesday, January 15, 2020

Notes on Craftsmanship

Craftsmanship


What is craftsmanship?

Definition: to make or devise, especially with great care

Examples of poor craftsmanship:
-torn edges
-smudges/fingerprints
-dried glue
-creases
-pencil lines
-coffee rings
-cigarette holes
-tattered/curled edges (unless intended)
-water marks
-etc

Ways to avoid poor craftsmanship:
-always work on a clean, flat surface
-watch what you are doing
-keep food, drink, etc away from work
-don’t roll, fold, or crease paper
-keep work off the floor
-transport work in a portfolio
-erase all pencil lines, smudges, and fingerprints
-use just enough glue so that edges don’t curl up
-use a straightedge when cutting with an x-acto knife so that edges are straight
-keep edges clean (unless intended otherwise)
-use papercutter if necessary for long straight edges
-keep your borders clean when mounting your work
-if an accident does occur, fix it or start over if necessary (I will not accept excuses!)
-make your work important to you and it will show

Poor craftsmanship can be easily prevented.
Try to give yourself plenty of time to complete projects.  

Week 2_PROJECT 2_Line, Shape, Gestalt, Focal Point, Unity and Variety

Shepard Fairey - Obey to be Better! from Gestalten on Vimeo.

Notes on Critique: 


3. Critique

4. Shape, Gestalt, Focal Point



Green 2 d_wk2_lwtech from Thomas Everett Green

Project 002

The aims of Project 002
- Experience the principles of design, including balance, figure & ground, focal point
- Understand the Gestalt laws of Continuity, Proximity, Closure, Similarity

- Demonstrate craftsmanship.
Step 1.  Select one of the Gestalt principles you will be illustrating.

Step 2.  Conduct online research finding images and inspiration for your designs.  Print these out and put in your sketchbook.   You may use these as reference and inspiration, but do not copy what you have found.    Create your own work. Remember what happened to Shepard Fairey when he used the image he found on the internet. 

Step 3.  Sketch Graphics (no shading, only shapes) which represent the principles that you drew earlier.  You should complete a minimum of 4 sketches for each principle.  If your ideas are not well enough developed you will continue to sketch until you and your instructor (ME) can agree on something that is exciting.  PUSH your designs!   Make something that is both exciting and 
interesting. 

Step 4.  Create ONE composition using cut black and white paper to be mounted and shown in class 

RULES:  

Try to create a focal point in your compositions. 

You are welcome to use black on white or white on black.  You may use organic shapes, geometric, or a combination of both. Your compositions may be in either Portrait or Landscape. 

Note:  Your final design might reflect more than one of the principles of Gestalt organization, and that's okay.  But, try to focus on the principle that you have selected.   You will mount your final composition on 1/2 of a sheet of Bristol as pictured below. 








Notes on Grading

Here is a look at the Rubric that will be used for grading the projects we will do in this class.    The 4 categories break down into 

1. Problem Solution: Does it follow the project guidelines?  (i.e. did you follow directions?) 
2. Creativity. Did you push the designs? 
3. Craftsmanship: Care taken in execution of project
4. Effort and Perseverance: Did you challenge yourself? 







Design 1: Project Rubric
Name __________________________

Project:

Evaluation Criteria
Outstanding
25
Proficient
20-
Average
15-20
Below Expectations
10-15
Problem Solution:
Does it adhere to the outlined problem objectives?
Max. Value = 25
Exceeds the project expectations in both composition and ability to illustrate the ideas discussed in lecture and outlined in project guidelines
Mostly covers the guidelines set forth in an effective work.  Meets project expectations.
Project needs more refinement toward overall goals of the project.  More focus towards research, review, and working out of ideas.
Does not meet requirements: media, and/or layout, and/or balance of the space, and/or balance of black and white shapes/line;
Creativity:
Does it express originality, Innovation or growth?
Max. Value = 25
Expresses extremely interesting or innovative use of space, good variety; good variety in compositional ideas
Project is interesting and meets project expectations.   Doesn’t necessarily introduce any innovative or new ideas.  Could use more brainstorming or research.
Slightly lacks in variety, in placement, and/or shape or line, and/or scale.  Could use more forethought with regard to composition and perhaps more sketching of ideas.
Needs more variety overall; variety of shape/line, variety of scale, variety of placement; expresses very little innovation or originality
Craftsmanship:
Is the work clean? Line quality? Layout?

Max. Value = 25

Very clean; lines are clean and straight; no smudges; no glue residue; good adhesion;
Mostly clean; a few areas need a little work; a few areas could be glued better; or a few smudges; or lines could be cut cleaner; lines could be straighter
Could be cleaner overall; edges are ok, still need work; lines could be cleaner, straighter; smudgy; glue residue;
Work seems very rushed or hurried. Sloppy workmanship; smudges; lines should be straighter, cut cleaner; overall needs more attention to detail.
Effort and perseverance

Max. Value = 25

Shows great accomplishment in effort and difficulty;
Designs could be pushed a little more, overall a good effort.
Design and effort is lacking.   Design seems to “safe” and does not show any challenge or ambitious drive from the student.  
Minimal effort placed into the design and or complexity to the design.   Too safe.

Problem:                                Creativity:                                 Craftsmanship:                               Effort:

Total Score: ____________________________        

Notes: