1 How is visual weight different than physical weight?

visual weight is how an object appears in a composition, how important it is to the overall effect. where as physical weight is more of, will the object float or sink?

2 What happens to objects when they get close to the edges of a composition?

if they are close to the top they appear to be rising or floating, if they are close to the bottom they appear to be sinking.

3 Why are human beings more comfortable with balanced compositions?

it appeals to our desire for equilibrium and communicates calmness and stability

4 What happens when there is imbalance?

the composition becomes disorienting

5 Is there a place for purposeful imbalance? Give some examples.

yes, a painting by Eric Fischl, Barbeque, 1982 (3.35)

6 Why is symmetrical balance so popular in architecture?

it appeals to our desire for equilibrium and communicates calmness and stability

7 Can different types of balance be used in a single composition?

yes

8 How many ways are there to achieve asymmetrical balance? Name them.

three; quite stable, very dynamic, and nearly chaotic

9 Is radial balance always symmetrical? Why or why not?

no, it can also be balanced as a spiral instead of circular

Project 3- Emphasis

Homework 3 Shape/Emphasis

1 Why is it important to design the positive and the negative shapes of a composition?

so that the composition is well balanced

2 What is the difference between representational shapes and abstract shapes?

representational shapes are derived from specific subject matter and strongly based on direct observation.

abstract shapes are derived from reality but are distilled or transformed, reducing their resemblance to the origional source.

3 What are some of the ways emphasis can be achieved?

emphasis can be achieved by isolation, placement, and contrast. a focal point can strengthen emphasis.

4 What kind of subjects attracts attention?

any representation of another human attracts our attention.

5 What happens when there are too many focal points?

the composition is too buisy and it looses its direction.

6 Why is emphasis important, especially for graphic designers?

because as graphic designers we want to attract attention to our designs, to increase the visual and conceptual impact

7 Which is more important: a strong focal point or unity?

they are both important. if i have to choose just one then i would have to say that unity is just a wee bit more important.

Homework #2 1-18-10

1. they help you learn what doesnt work

2. without careful composition, your great idea could be lost

3. by creating several quick studies and picking the best one

4. to create a design or object, or plan an event or structure.

5. by combining a multiple of parts into a unified whole

6. it becomes monotonus

7. there becomes too much variety and it becomes chaotic

8. there are many stratagies, however, there are six essential ones

9. use varying ammounts of variety and unity while creating the design

10.according to this theory, visual information is understood holistically before it is examined seperately

Homework 1 - Introductions

1.) I was born in Urbana, However I was a military brat so I have moved, numerous times. I have lived in VA,IN,NY,CO,CA,WV, and England

2.) I am a non-traditional student as I am returning to college after raising my children. I prefer to learn more hands on verses just reading about how to do something.

3.) My favorite artist? Monet , Favorite musician? its a tossup between Jewel and Taylor Swift, Filmmaker? don't really have a favorite.

4.) I remember the Commador 64 ,the IBM, and the first Apple PC from school. I also remember learning DOS. I have had a computer in my home since HS (1986). I am fairly comfortable with technology however I am not at all familiar with a Mac, so that will be a challenge.

5.) this picture is the only one i have access to on this computer so, it is when I finally went from long hair to a much shorter length.

Day 1 Jan 11 2010