CHAPTER 6: STRUCTURE

By Chris Schwab, Haley Strong, Deepak Bhagat, and Aaron Marks

WHAT IS STRUCTURE?

Components of a visual expression merge to create an organized whole

Allows visual elements and principles to exist

Structure is intended to guide viewers through a work of art

WHAT ELSE?

Structure is, in effect, the umbrella under which all the other visual elements and principals exist

The structure of a work of art refers to the way the components of visual expression merge to create an organization whole.

Visual art takes place within a rectangle, a block of marble, a designated period of time, or some other limiting factor

UNITY

Every element of a work of art needs to work together logically

Necessary for a “visual equilibrium” Unity allows the viewer to experience

the emotion of the artist The following concepts of symmetry,

asymmetry, contrast, and focal points all contribute to unity

Ex. Menus, Website homepages, flyers, brochures, newsletters (Williams, Chapter 2)

http://theproductguy.files.wordpress.com/2008/03/00-msnbc-homepage.jpg

http://nhsdesigns.com/images/artwork/vincent-van-gogh_starry-nig.jpg

WHAT ELSE?

Unity is when the visual components within the work are well balanced when one part of the work is related to another

With each part demonstrating logic and integrity that informs the whole

Sense of visual equilibrium is achieved affects the viewers response

SYMMETRY

• Two halves mirror each other

• Best facilitates unity• Brings all aspects of a

work of art together• Simplistic structure

becomes appealing, sometimes avoids boredom

• Simple way of balancing or unifying a work of art

• Mirror like repetition of the two halves of an object or image

• “Symmetry, like a basic shape, is easy on the brain…does not challenge the viewer’s comprehension” (Krause 86).

Dignity, stability and tranquility often

characterize symmetrical structures

ASYMMETRY

Arrangement of dissimilar parts to achieve a balanced whole

Dynamic by nature Allows works of art to appear active Creates more visual tension Ex: “Guernica” “Perfect symmetry is clearly definable. Deciding

when asymmetry is ‘perfect’ is a judgment call” (Krause 88).

WHAT ELSE?

There is tension in every work of are, but this tension must be balanced to a certain degree.

Perfect symmetry translates as perfect balance

APPROXIMATE SYMMETRY

Different halves point to centralized axis Two halves clash Lacks coexisting nature of symmetrical structures Artist uses single point to cut picture in half

Uses gunpoint to differentiate the two halves: Victims and Killers

CONTRAST The relationship between

significantly different elements or forces

Allows us to measure and compare

An example of contrast can be seen when comparing the views of résumés (i.e. headings of categories and font size) (Williams, 68-69)

Contrast is found not only in documents, but also in artwork and sculptures (Nemett’s pg. 9)

“Good value contrasts (light vs dark) are essential in helping a subject stand out against its backdrop.” (Krause 40)

http://payload.cargocollective.com/1/2/89682/1314430/Design%20Resume_905.jpg

http://payload.cargocollective.com/1/2/95374/1258424/BAF%20resume%20april%202.jpg

EARTHWORKS

• An art form developed in the 1960s and 70s

• Involves the substitution of traditional methods and materials (like paint and canvas) to different ones like (bulldozers and dirt)

FOCAL POINT

A particular spot or part of the work around which the rest of the composition is organized

Multiple Points of Attraction- many works of art rely on more than one point of focus to bring the component parts into an ordered whole

Alignment is a major component when discussing focal point.

http://www.nhsdesigns.com/principles/alignment/page02.php

FOCAL POINT CONT.

Focal Points also rely on different shades and hues of color (Williams, 102)

Certain colors bring out certain designs

Not all shades provide a strong enough contrast

http://www.tigercolor.com/color-lab/color-theory/images/color-wheel-300.gif

http://parse.howdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/colorContrast.gif

MULTIPLE POINTS OF ATTRACTION

A lot of artwork requires more than just one focal point

These are called Multiple Points of Attraction

As seen with résumés and art different rack cards have multiple points of attraction (Williams,74-75)