Principles of Design

Symmetrical Balance

Each room above is symmetrical because of the way the furniture is set up. There are an equal number of chairs, couches, and lamps on each side of a table and they all replicate each other. Each side is a mirror image of the other creating a symmetrical balance. Also, the black and white fabric in the middle row on the right side is symmetrical because the pattern is repetitive through its entirety. 

Asymmetrical Balance

Like symmetrical balance, asymmetrical balance also speaks for itself. These pictures demonstrate an object or setting that is balanced, but each side is not a mirror image of the other. Though you cannot see it, the top of the object in the top, right picture is jagged and moves up in a diagonal direction. The entire object is basically symmetrical, but the top creates an asymmetrical element because it is not completely even on both sides.

Radial Balance

These pictures show radial balance because they create a since of movement and each object revolves around a specific point. The top, left picture demonstrates radial balance because the four chairs surround the table in the middle which serves as the focal point of that specific space. In the middle, right photo, the chandelier is radial because it has a central point that different parts of the light come out of.

Emphasis

Emphasis is a focal point or something that immediately catches your eye. I used color as emphasis in each of these photos because it is what stands out the most. The objects in these pictures are bright colors that are surrounded by bland and neutral colors, thus making them pop. These objects caught my attention immediately which is exactly what emphasis is.

Repetition and Rhythm

These pictures exemplify repetition and rhythm because these objects and spaces keep my eyes moving and elements are repeated. For example, in the painting in the middle row on the right side, the houses are all identical and they repeat as they approach the ocean. In the bottom, left photo, the pillow has a design that keeps my eyes moving.

Movement

Each picture above creates a sense of movement through usage of color, shape, and design. The object in the top, right picture represents movement because its shape makes it look as that it is moving. The sculpture in the bottom, left picture also creates a sense of movement not only from its shape and design, but from its color as well. The curves and twists it creates represent movement, and the bright red color that it is creates movement.

Proportion and Scale

All of the objects in these pictures are good examples of proportion except for the one in the bottom, right picture. The squares in the pattern on the chair are proportionate to the size of the chair, the lamp shade is proportionate to the body of the lamp in the center picture, the squares and holes in the object in the top, right picture are proportionate to the size of the object, the cherry is proportionate to the size of the spoon, and the cylindrical barrels are proportionate to the little rectangular shed. However, the the object in the bottom, right is not proportional because the top is too big in comparison to its bottom. There is no other element to balance out the different proportions.

Unity and Harmony

The set-up of each of these spaces create unity and harmony because of the colors that are used together. The different spaces have furniture that go together whether it is through color or through the style of the objects.

Actual Space

Both of these spaces are actual spaces because they have an intended purpose. The pathway in the top picture was made with the intention of people walking on it. The table and chairs in the bottom photo are intended for people to sit and eat together. The way it is set up forces people to interact in some way.

Actual Texture

These four pictures represent actual texture because you can physically touch them and know that they are not smooth. All four have a bumpy quality that you can see and feel.

Static Form

The living spaces above represent static form because they are both sort of plain. They serve their purpose well and are in a resting position.

Form

Geometric

The rigid lines and the perfect circles in the pictures above demonstrate geometric forms. The Lego holders form perfect geometric circles, the defined edges and straight lines in the building in the top right and the side table in the bottom right photo create squares and rectangles, and the wooden beams that are present on the deck in the bottom left picture form triangles and rectangles.

Natural

I took each of the pictures above outside to demonstrate natural forms. Each photo contains something from nature whether it is a figure made out of wood, a small waterfall flowing into a lake, or flowers. Even though some of these things are manmade, they still hold an element of nature because of what they are made from.

Abstract

I chose each of the four structures above to represent abstract forms because they have some sort of unique element to them. For example, the picture in the bottom looks like a giant rock form, but it is a carving of the Native American, Crazy Horse. It is rock form, but has been altered to become a monument.

Plane

What makes the four pictures above good examples of planes is their shape and their depth. Each of the pictures shows an object with a thin, flat surface which is exactly what defines a plane. The bottom and back of the swing, and the glass in each of the windows create planes.

Shapes

Geometric

Geometric shapes are the most basic shapes we recognize. They consist of squares, rectangles, triangles, circles, and other rigid lines or definite forms. The picture above shows those basic shapes and characteristics.

Natural

Natural shapes are shapes and objects found in nature. They range anywhere from environmental objects such as trees, clouds, flowers, and bodies of water, to the animals pictured above. 

Abstract

The pictures above are abstract because they consist of random patterns and objects, but they are still pleasing to look at. Like organic lines, abstract shapes make you ponder what you see. I think these are successful abstract photos because for the most part, you cannot figure out what you are looking at. These patterns come from objects, but instead of focusing on what the objects are, the patterns are what draw your attention.

Non-Representational

Non-Representational shapes are like abstract shapes in that they are not clear objects. Even though viewers can probably guess what each picture above is of, they are successfully non-representational because only I know where each picture was taken and what the whole object is. For example, you can probably tell that the top left picture is of a building, but only I know that it is the at&t building in Nashville that  I think looks like Batman. 

Lines

Horizontal

Each photo above has elements of horizontal lines present. The wooden cottage and railing encasing the walkway that leads to it make horizontal lines. The closet door at the top right shows horizontal movement, the white fence that separates the grass from the beach is horizontal, and in the bottom picture taken on Long Lake in Michigan, the horizon created by the trees in the sunset is horizontal to the lake and the skyline.

Vertical

Something that all of the pictures above have in common is that they are all of a building of some sort. The walls, windows, doors, and overall framework of each of these structures is vertical.

Diagonal

In these examples of lines, the diagonal lines are successful in serving their purpose. Each line supports some sort of structure, or is what makes the object useful.

Organic

I think my favorite types of lines are organic lines because they go against what is normal. I find the pictures above really cool because they form something pleasing to the eye. The curve of the St. Louis arch, the sculpture of the spoon and cherry, the design on my Kavu bag, and the outline the sidewalk creates around the grass outside of the Student Learning Center all make me contemplate what I am looking at. When something stops and makes you think, it is successful.

Structural

The four pictures above are of buildings because they show structural lines best. The two beams in the top left picture support the ceiling in a library, the curved line in the top right makes up the structure of the St. Louis arch, the walls and arches in the building in the bottom right support the entire structure and the windows within the facade, and the columns in the front of the Student Learning Center support the roof of part of the building.

Implied

Implied lines are some of the most difficult lines for me to notice, but they exist everywhere. The road in the top left picture ends in this picture, but it is implied that the road keeps going. In the picture of St. Louis in the top right I can see implied lines on the exterior of some of the buildings, but also in the streets. There are lines and a median in the street, but they do not continue the full length of the street. We just know that those implied lines and median are what separate the different directions of traffic. In the pictures of the buildings at the bottom of the collage, we see implied lines that travel up the sides of both structures. Even though there may not be a clear/visible line, we can picture lines going up the exterior.

Points

The photos above represent points within their surroundings. Each picture has something that my attention immediately goes to. My eyes are drawn to the symmetry of the reading room at the University of Michigan, the boat on the water, the large "A" on the wall in my room, the chandelier in the ceiling of the library, the pink and yellow clouds in the sunset, and the curve at the top of the arch.

Unexpected Beauty

Cultural Beauty

The picture above was taken by one of my good family friends at the pier on Tybee Island. I think this picture really reflects the idea of cultural beauty because of what you can see. The posts holding the pier up are perfectly symmetrical, the ocean water runs under it and looks very placid in this photo, and the way the sun hits the water looks almost magical. Most people, including myself, find this scene very beautiful and calming.

Unexpected Beauty

http://www.google.com/imgres?q=traffic+in+atlanta&num=10&um=1&hl=en&biw=1120&bih=582&tbm=isch&tbnid=3XTrv9o2jDdhyM:&imgrefurl=http://atlanta.curbed.com/archives/2011/12/08/atlantas-traffic-is-actually-not-that-bad-but-dont-tell-the-tea-party.php&docid=18lN0mdYtkFKAM&imgurl=http://atlanta.curbed.com/uploads/atlanta%252520traffic%252520.jpg&w=772&h=579&ei=4Gk2ULa3CIP48gSFsIGwAQ&zoom=1&iact=rc&dur=447&sig=117037530494855118279&sqi=2&page=1&tbnh=111&tbnw=172&start=0&ndsp=20&ved=1t:429,r:7,s:0,i:93&tx=91&ty=44Chaotic beauty

The picture I chose for unexpected beauty is a photo of traffic in Atlanta. For people like me who are from a Atlanta, or a big city like Atlanta, there is nothing beautiful about being stuck in big city traffic. However, when you look at the picture, it gives off a sense of beauty because of the head lights and tail lights you can see and the buildings in the background. Sometimes when I ride in the car in Atlanta at night, I find myself noticing how pretty the city looks even though it is not the first thing or place that comes to mind when I think of beauty. I think this photo is aesthetically pleasing because of all of the different elements such as light, dark, and the shapes present.

Interior Designers

My favorite interior designer firm is Marc Michaels Interior Design, Inc. They produce a wide variety of different styles for houses, and each style looks put together incredibly well. I love that in each style they create, there is a sense of warmness and coziness to the rooms.

http://marc-michaels.com/

The Links I Chose

I posted links to my profile that I think give you a glimpse into what I like and where I spend my time when I'm on the computer. I have a variety of websites I like ranging from design websites like PBteen, to music websites such as Pandora. My favorite website that I posted a link to is Pinterest because of the variety of things it contains. It has food recipes, design ideas for every room of your house, crafting ideas, and it even has clothing outfits you can "repin" to express your style. I like that it gives me the opportunity to see creativity in many different shapes and forms, and really help me form my own style.

What is My Style?

I can't choose one category to describe my style because I am drawn to many different looks. I would say that one style that I really like is warm and cozy. I like looking at houses that are designed to look homey and inviting. I love to see wooden floors, stone walls, big windows, and comfortable couches, along with incandescent lighting to give a room more of a cozy feel. I like to see warm accent colors in rooms because I think they can add a little spunk to an overall look. I like the rooms in the pictures I have posted because they look warm and inviting with brown and the pops of color.

What is Interior Design?

Interior Design is an outlet for people to express their ideas and visions for living spaces in a creative way. It is a fun concept because it involves combining colors, shapes, and patterns to make a room complete. I like Interior Design because it is almost like a puzzle. You piece materials and ideas together to form one whole picture.