Design and Composition

Basic design text for the first course in design. Prepares readers to understand how the elements of design are used to make successful compositions. The first portion of the book is a comprehensive examination of fundamental design phenomena and a general introduction of compositional concepts. The second portion is an in-depth and unique discussion of compositional structures & strategies. 1. Design and Composition 1 The Ways and Means of Visual Expression Principles of Composition 2 Balance Emphasis Simplicity Hierarchy Unity The visual elements 2. Line 27 The Omnipresent Element Line: Definition 28 Varieties of Line 32 The Diagrammatic Line The Structure Line The Calligraphic Line The Delineating Line The Lost and Found Line Line and shape 44 Line and direction 48 Line density 50 Line and value 52 Line and volume 54 Line and color 56 Some examples of line in use 57 3. Shape 61 The Basic Surface Unit Shape: A definition 62 Varieties of Shape 64 Geometric and Organic Shapes Positive and Negative Shape Ambiguous Shapes Shape: Direction and scale 74 Shape and value 77 Shape and volume 79 Shape and color 81 Some examples of shape in use 82 4. Value 87 Modeling, Order and Mood Value: A definition 88 Value: Volume and illumination 92 Value: Location, Direction and Scale 97 Value and color 100 Some examples of value in use 102 5. Volume 105 The Grand Illusion Volume: A definition 106 Volume and shape 109 Volume, direction and weight 112 The structure of volume 115 Volume and color 120 Some examples of volume in use 121 6. Space 125 The Medium of Visuality Space: A definition 126 Space: Two-dimensional 128 Space: Three-dimensional 131 Overlapping and Diagonality Gradients Perspective Space and color 144 Some examples of space in use 145 7. Texture 151 Of Media and Surfaces 152 Texture, Handling, and Visual Weight 156 Texture and color 160 Some examples of texture in use 161 8. Color 167 The Great Modifier Color: A definition 168 Factors Influencing color and perception 169 Light, pigment and the color wheel 170 The Color Wheel Color functions 173 Color Identity Expression Through Color Warm and Cool Color Color Dynamics Some examples of color in use 176 9. Further Compositional Factors 179 Some Energies In Action The Element Interacting 180 Tension 185 Illusion of Motion 187 Figurative Influences 193 10. The Formation of Compositional Order 199 Structures and Modes Composition Structures 200 Basic compositional structures 202 The Grid The Circle The Triangle The Diamond Central Location Two Centers The Bridge The Cantilever The Even Spread The radial Burst Emphasis on Diagonality Emphasis on Horizontality Emphasis on Verticality Curvilinear Dominant The L Shape Mode of Presentation 237 Deep space Shallow space Density Sparsity Dense and Sparse Volume and Space Dominant Two-Dimensionality Straight Edge Dominant Straight Versus Curve Linear, Closed shapes Painterly, Open Shapes Line Dominant Value Dominant Texture Dominant Color The game 246 Instructions 11. Composition 251 Some Cases Histories Glossary 273 Index 276 Credits "The first part of this ... text is a comprehensive examination of fundamental design phenomena and a general introduction to the elements of composition. The second part gives ... in-depth explanations of compositional structures and strategies ... discusses some 25 works of art as compositional 'case studies' to show how and why each artist used various compositional structures and modes of presentation. Over 400 visuals--drawings, paintings, photos, and other illustrations--support the text. More than 40 of them, reproduced in full color, further clarify the materials covered"--Back cover An exploration of fundamental design phenomena and compositional concepts found in old and contemporary works of art of every era, style, or purpose.