Design Principles / Week 1 - Gestalt and Contrast

30/03/2021 - 27/05/2021 (Week 1 - Week 5)

Ngu Kah Shin / 0347666

Design Principles / Bachelor of Design in Creative Media / Taylor's Design School

Week 1: Gestalt and Contrast - black paper, white paper and glue

LECTURES

Kudos to Dr Charles, who was able to make my first ever class in Taylor’s super enjoyable whilst imparting a great deal of useful information about the module alongside his amusing witticisms. He also informed us of the weekly lecture which will be premiered on Youtube every Friday at 5pm.

The video was Dr Jinchi giving a lecture on the basic "rules" of Design. There are the elements of design, the principles of design and Gestalt Theory. Below are handwritten notes I have done using Procreate on my iPad.

Figure 1.1, 1.2: Handwritten lecture notes

INSTRUCTIONS

HTML Link:

TASK 1: Gestalt Theory

Fig 2.1: Visual research compilation on Gestalt Theory

Fig 2.3, 2.4: Ideas exploration on Gestalt Theory

I was especially attracted to these few pieces I have found on Pinterest as shown in Fig 2.1. My idea blossomed from looking at a lot of head/face silhouettes examples, as well as the gun poster on Fig 2.3. I thought I could definitely do something with the steam as it has a varying and ever-changing shape, if steam is even considered a shape. I looked around my room and saw my coffee mug with steam rising from it. BAM! I could do something with coffee and steam!

FINAL DESIGN OUTCOME: GESTALT THEORY

HTML link:

TASK 2: Contrast (Design Principle)

Fig. 3: Visual research compilation on Contrast

Video: Idea exploration on Contrast

Contrast is best achieved when using colours with very different tones. Our task this week is to use only black and white papers. These 2 colours are each on the end of the opposite spectrum so we got that down! Clear-cut lines and simple shapes also enhance contrast, so I decided to explore Linocut art style. After looking at numerous artwork done by many inspiring artists, I began cutting shapes based on trees and shrubs. I also added some stripes which I used to express as the soil. I made sure not to cut perfectly straight lines and perfectly round curves as it wouldn't reflect Linocut style.

FINAL DESIGN OUTCOME: CONTRAST

HTML link:

FEEDBACK

Dr Charles assured us to just have fun and start with our work. It is ok to make mistakes as long as we learn from them!

REFLECTIONS

For the module structure itself, I definitely find design principles intriguing. Not to mention we have to pick up our scissors and pencils, this is a very hands-on class and I have a fondness for art and crafts. I am still adjusting to the new assignment style especially having to update our e-portfolios on a weekly basis. I had to rush Week 1's work as I was still unsure of how things are supposed to be done yet. However, I find this module rather fun and very interesting after getting the hang of it (still in process!).

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Ellis Ngu Kah Shin [0347666]

Design Principles / Week 1 - Gestalt and Contrast

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