Dimension/Depth/Space

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxSEFnPylZe5YaWIMdJgpoyIF-txZK978QWLOnaPy6VPIABy2zEMcsZNBzMJFJLSV0BGtEe_PvPUdJ72duv8prraVbwuVZgzoQtHQKvsAjy9WPbmhMdNvfLaJ5AtODy2e5JDbIZtVSDPs/s320/op_art.jpg

I chose this graphic art image because I found it very intriguing. Although this is a flat, 2D image, depth and dimension can be seen because of the particular scaling and size of each of the squares. Also, the textured gradient surface helps add to the illusion of space. As the squares start equally getting smaller and smaller from both sides, it gives off the appearance that they're getting farther and farther away from the observer. The smaller the squares get, the distance between the viewer and the image increases, depicting depth. I thought this aspect was very interesting since the image in not 3D but yet it has that appearance because of the successful way scaling was used to form a dimension that's not really there. I feel like I can walk into this image and keep on going because of the use of relative size. The squares on the left hand side, mostly, are equal in size but as you start to progress throughout the image moving to the left, the squares start to transform more to slender and slender rectangles giving the image a depth cue that they are getting farther away, which in our eyes justifies such transformation. All in all I think this image achieves depth and dimension through the simplest forms, scaling and size, which proves that by using these in the right way even a 2D image has the potential to be portrayed as something more than what it really is.  

Tone and Color

 

I chose this graphic arts image because I thought it was a good example of tone and color working together, as well with other visual design elements, to create an overall design that is simple but yet  interesting. The way tone operates in this example is by not having all the yellow dots on the same tone of yellow. Although this is a monochromatic design, the different tones of yellow make this design more intricate, more complex, rather than if it was just in one single tone of yellow. Also, the more darker tones seem to pop out at you, giving the design somewhat of a depth even though it's a flat design. Tone interacts with shape in this design as well. The circular shape is consistent throughout the entire design, making it repetitive. Almost like a pattern. Color operates in this example by having a yellow monochromatic theme. Since yellow is the only color that's being used, it makes the design very cohesive. Color interacts with direction as well, the diagonal is predominant within this design because the way the circles are placed one after the other as well as one on top of the other is not exactly side to side nor up and down. The circles are placed in a way that they're off to an angle making diagonal lines in between each. All in all this is a great example, in my opinion, of a successful design using tone, color, shape and direction.

Graphic Design

http://melon.bz/wp-content/uploads/2008/10/graphic-designaz4.jpg

THE DOT: Being the most predominant and simplest form in nature, the dot is active in this example because it's what it is used to make up the picture. Much like TV dots work, these dots are used in the same way, where each dot contains a gradient that makes up part of the picture and once each individual dot is gathered and put together with the rest, they all make up one big picture. This is achieved by placing each dot after the next, side to side and up and down, so the eye could read one whole picture instead of just individual dots. Although, in this design, the dots are not placed right after the other. There's a small gap in between each, which is part of the design aesthetic since you are able to see the white gaps in between. Thus, the eye doesn't see one solid picture because that's not the intention of the design. However, the overall picture still reads as one even with the white gaps in between each of the dots. This only shows to tell, how powerful dots can really be if used correctly.

 

http://excaliburgraphics.us/gd.jpg

THE LINE: Described as a dot in motion, the line is active in this example because it is being used as a pre-visualization tool to sketch out what will ultimately arrive at a design. In this design, the line is performing the job of defining other elements, like shapes and changes of tone/texture. This is achieved by putting together vertical, horizontal as well as diagonal lines together. Some lines might be straight, some lines might not, some curve, other don't. But by incorporating all these different styles of lines with one another, you start to form shapes of all sizes which start to from different objects which then start to form a cohesive design. Also, by putting lines near each other or by separating them at a certain distance, you start to create tone/texture which adds to the overall design. Once all these various styles and types of lines come together, a design is formed. In this case, the design is somewhat loose and experimental because of the way the lines were chosen to be used. 

http://media.photobucket.com/image/graphic%20design/toon79/graphic-design.jpg

SHAPE: Building on the dot, which controls lines, and the line, which describes the contours of shapes, a very specific shape is being used in this design to communicate a certain type of emotion. The composition of this design is diagonal, which implies direction and that direction implies movement. The diagonal composition forms a triangular composition, in which the triangle is the predominant shape on the composition. In this case, the triangle is being used to utilize the feeling of action in the design. To do so, all the diagonal lines on the design happen to meet at a diverging point which then creates a triangle and the impression of going/moving forward. The overall composition and the way the triangle shape was used in it, is very successful in communicating the right emotions associated with this design. 

Design Success and Failure in Relation to Syntactical Guidelines

http://media2.smashingmagazine.com/images/layout-solutions/nerve2.jpg

I believe this web design is successful with its composition because it has a good use of the syntactical guidelines. This is a good example of how one doesn't have to sacrifice aesthetics for simplicity, in this case, simplicity refers to the fact that the website is easy to read. For example, there's a good balance in between the left "Categories" side and the right "New Releases" side. Neither over power the other, but work together as one to enhance one another. Also, the fact that there's only two groupings make this website much easier for the eye to navigate around. There's stress on the right-hand corner area where the name/logo of the site is located, which is a good thing because it draws attention to it and that's what you want. Color is also used wisely, lime green is used to emphasize the link that's active as well as the price of the album, which needs to be visible. All in all, I think that this web design achieves rapid and easy surfing by using the syntactical guidelines to its advantage. 

 

http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_kw331tJk501qazrnl.jpg

I believe this web design is not as successful as the previous one in its composition because it has somewhat of a bad use of the syntactical guidelines, although it's not as bad. First off, the fact that everything is one solid color doesn't make it easy to distinguish the groupings intended. For example, on the top right-hand corner, the links would be more visible if they were the negative color from the rest of the site. Meaning that the text would be orange and the text box would be white with a black outline. Also, it would be much more balanced if there were two links right after the other and two more links below them, so it would form a rectangle (closure). Also, the grouping at the bottom of the page would be more prominent if there was even a slight color change, perhaps another tone of orange, instead of just depending on a size difference. Thus, it would separate itself from the big orange box that's the body and context of the page. Overall, this site is okay but with a couple of changes here and there that favor the syntactical guidelines, this page would be above average.