Time/Motion/Movement

Time, motion and movement all have to do with each other. In an ArtPrize sort of piece, an actual element of time might be involved - something that changes over time, for example. In a more static image like a photograph, time is seen by the composition and context of the image - the viewer understands that something has been happening, and we understand the larger context of time. Motion and movement can add to this - when we see that there is some physical action taking place, it places us in the context of time. Motion in an image can add a lot of interest to the piece. It gives an energy and a sense of story to the image.

This first image physically shows motion - the viewer understands that the girl is blowing the pieces of confetti, and that they are being scattered everywhere. The motion makes the image feel dynamic and exciting, and since the girl is blowing right at the camera, that adds a lot of interest too! The viewer feels close and if the confetti is flying out toward you. This motion caught in a moment implies a broader context of time - a story of what this girl is doing starts being told, and the viewer can imagine what happens before and after this moment.

This image clearly involves actual events and is one snapshot of time. The man is tearing up, supposedly because this is the first time he sees his bride on their wedding day. His hand being up toward his face - not at his side or perfectly posed - shows that more is going on; there is a sense of dynamism and action. It pulls the viewer into the story. We know what is happening because of the hand captured in motion.

Here is another example, one that I took. Again, this image conveys the idea of time, movement, and motion. The ripples around the duck and on the lake in general really give the feeling of motion and add interest to the piece. The duck is going away from the image, as well, which is interesting. It has a different feel than if the duck was coming toward us - that would probably pull the viewer in more and make them feel welcome. However, the duck is moving toward the large reflection which points down, so the image still seems to work. The duck is swimming toward the center of the frame and has space in the image to move still, which helps the viewer out and makes it feel more natural.

Proximity

Proximity refers to how close one thing is to another in an image, or a group of things. This is used to establish a relationship between different objects, or to make a statement about the relationship (or lack thereof.)

In this logo, proximity is key. The relationship of each piece to the other makes a statement about the cafe - that it is a cozy place to be. The bird is snuggled in close to the coffee cup, and the word "cafe" is actually overlapped with the words "Bird's nest." The whole logo feels close and does not leave a lot of space between the different parts of itself. This makes the cafe seem like a cozy, comfortable, tight-knit home - not an informal, not personal business corporation or some organization like that.

The second image is beautiful and has the feeling of anticipation and motion to it - this is because of the proximity of the humming bird. If the humming bird was landed on the flower, or even farther away from the flower, the viewer would not get excited. We realize how fleeting this moment is because of the distance between the hummingbird and the flower.

The third picture is one I took, and it shows proximity in a different way. I was thinking about the proximity of the viewer to the scene. The astroturf is right up-close and personal. The depth of field only allows us to see a piece of the picture, making us feel like we are right in the picture. This use of proximity heightens the feeling of the image, of attention to detail.

Space

Space refers to how the image looks three-dimensional. For a 2-D image, different techniques can be used to make everything look real - for example, shadows. This is space in an image - the illusion of three-dimensionality. Space can also refer to how the "canvas" is used in an image. The main focus of the image can take up all of the canvas, or just a little part, or just the corners, or another pattern or way.

This first image has a beautiful use of space. The selective focus, causing a blurred-out background, really makes the image look like there is a lot of space behind what we are looking at. The shadows give a sense of depth, and the texture and lines add to the space as well.

The second image is 2D, but focuses on an interesting aspect of a lot of art. It is some people's favorite thing to work with - negative space. Sometimes, the most important thing in an image is what you leave out.

I took the third picture. I feel like it illustrates the principle of space in design. This is seen especially in how there are slightly blurry leaves in the foreground of the image, pushing us back to view a leaf farther behind. This offers a sense of depth, allowing the viewer to feel the space of the distance between branches. The space of the composition is also framed by the leaves, which adds interest.

Unity

Unity refers to cohesiveness within the whole image - within the form, content, and subject. The use of repetition, color, space, proportion, should all flow together to have one main goal and point and purpose.

I like this first piece as an example of unity because at first thought, someone might feel that the red really sticks out and maybe doesn't blend with the rest of the piece. However, the image is really unified and feels beautiful. I think the red offers a beautiful, rich tone in the midst of an otherwise pretty monochromatic scene. The redness also reminds us of Christmastime and warmth, all which can flow with the idea of winter. This context is not something crazy that we could not imagine stumbling across in the snow. The richness of the red fits with the idea of the beauty of winter and the wonderful things that await and the warmth that can be found. The image has a unified purpose.

The next image is probably a more straightforward, easier to see example of unity. The image all blends and fits together in many ways - the colors are similar, all very bright and vivid. Blue, yellow and white are repeated through her dress and the balloons. Even the scenery repeats the yellowish tone. The colors, the lighting, her posture and facial expression - and the connotation that balloons give of fun and youthfulness - all fit together. This shows unity.

Although the third image - the one I created - has so many different pieces to it, it has a unified feel as an image. This is because the mood matches the subject of the image - it is not very pleasant to look at. The image seems dark, and the vending machine seems packed with lots of options arranged functionally instead of visually. The framing is a little off-kilter, and cuts a lot of the vending machine off to show the tunnel vision the person seems to have. It is kind of uncomfortable but this fits the feeling of a vending machine sometimes. All the different pieces of the image contribute to one unified image.

Composition

Composition refers to how the image is strategically arranged to accomplish the purpose it was designed for. It involves placement of the different parts of the image, color choice, etc.

You can see the composition in this first picture is very strategic. The leading lines of the railroad track - especially the part in the lower lefthand corner that is in focus and extremely close so that it catches your eye - lead right to the subject, the senior guy. The light is golden and warm which makes the photo look energized and inviting for the viewer to look at. The student is off-center, not in the middle, following the rule of thirds for a more pleasant image.

This second image is one that I took at a restaurant I was eating at. What makes this image interesting is the composition. Specifically, the three most obvious parts of the image - the light, the plant, and the jars form a triangle together. Triangles are very compelling to look at. The eye is able to flow throughout the image and does not get stuck at a certain point.

This last image is a logo that employs composition very well. The "L" and "O" from the word "CLOCK" are moved and placed so that they visually are a clock. This is very interesting and intriguing, and is quite pleasing to the viewer. The composition of the letters adds to the meaning - we visually see what it looks like, creating a stronger and more compelling image.

Proportion

Proportion refers to the size of objects in relation to each other. Sometimes, that can mean an artist makes something way bigger than it actually is in real life for a dramatic effect to capture attention, or to make a point in some regard. Or it could be way tinier. Or also pieces of the image can be changed to have different proportions among themselves, for example.

I think this first image is super interesting. It causes the Eiffel Tower to seem way smaller than it actually is in the water-filled wine glass. This causes the viewer to think differently about the Eiffel Tower, and offers a fresh and interesting perspective on such a beautiful and well-loved image. The tininess of the massive tower's reflection is really what catches the viewer's eye.

The second image is a piece from ArtPrize. The sunglasses are blown up to be way larger than they ever would be in real life. This not only catches the attention of passers-by, but provides space for the artist to talk about what they want to with their art (the back side has images of Detroit. The size of the art helps add to the meaning.)

I took the final image, and I felt it was an example of proportion. Even though nothing is actually changed in size, the grass blades SEEM proportionally way larger than we normally see them in everyday life. Normally, we cannot see these grass blades at all and do not stop to notice them. However, they are enlarged for this image, providing a unique and interesting perspective on the world. The attention to detail is inviting, unique and beautiful.

Harmony

Harmony refers to the whole piece or even just some aspects of the piece coordinating, fitting together, or seeming to peacefully work together. There can be color harmony, or harmony within other parts of an image as well. The whole image may or may not seem harmonious.

The first image overall feels quite harmonious. A lot of this is because it has harmonious colors - the trees and ground and sky are all shades of a greyish brown with bits of green. This makes the image really feel like it is flowing and working together. Then, the lines and use of texture are consistent throughout the image, creating harmony.

The logo below also has a sense of harmony. A lot of this is because the font is all handwritten and cutesy. The background is not pure black, but looks handmade in some way, almost like a chalkboard. This fits right in - creates harmony - with the handwritten typeface. There are a lot of circular shapes used in the logo, and the use of only black on white really makes the image consistent and harmonious.

The third image that I took shows harmony as well. The shadows that fall on the raindropped bar pull together the shadows around the edges. The colors in general are fairly dark, which shows a harmony throughout the image.

RHYTHM

Rhythm refers to the movement of all the elements working together in the piece. It can be created from repetition - a consistent element that causes the eye to go around the image.

The first logo has a rhythm because it captures your eye, leads it across the repetitive path of the cord, then releases you to look elsewhere. The repetition helps create the rhythm here, and it does not feel choppy or confusing or interrupted.

The second image creates a rhythm by the repetition of the hands leading downwards. You first notice the biggest hands, and they gradually get smaller as your eye travels down the image. It feels very smooth and naturally rhythmic.

I took the final image, and the lines created by the shadows create a rhythm in that your eye travels across them, looking for the part that is focused in the lower corner. The lines set the pattern or feel of the movement of the viewer's eye throughout the piece. Without the vertical lines (and the diagonal one sweeping across), there would be no flow or movement in a sense to the piece. The lines and shapes set the pace for the viewer to enjoy the image.

Repetition

Repetition is using a certain piece or element of an image more than once. It can give a sense of movement, variation, harmony, unity, etc.

The first image is the one I took. I felt that what made this image beautiful was the uniqueness of the elements on the edge - the two red leaves, and the black shoes. However, the only reason these elements are interesting is because of the repetition of all the leaf imprints. It is interesting to see so many imprints of leaves, and then when your eye finds the one bright red, real leaf, it is so exciting. The contrast is so interesting.

The second picture is composed mainly of repetition. All the trees look very similar, almost just like long dark lines. Then they all form a similar pattern that leads right to the center. The perspective really highlights the repetition and makes it interesting, and also provides a space for variation among the leaves which makes the image more enjoyable to look at.

The third image is an example of repetition in color. There is red all over this image - red in the sky, red in the flowers, and so many red flowers all over the image. The repetition is what makes the image so beautiful and harmonious.

Variety

Variety refers to "switching things up" in an image or design. It means that there is some sort of pizazz, something different, some spark within the image itself. The whole image is not the same-old, same-old blend of one consistent thing. There is some variation, some change, some deviation from what is happening consistently in the picture.

In this first image, a lot of what is going on is the same - there is a ton of beautiful bokeh happening coming from the lights. It almost seems like a dream. However, I think I would glance away and become quickly bored with this image if it were not for the slight variation in color in the upper left hand corner - the pink shade that happens, with little bits of bluish green. This switches it up from the constant yellow lights that are in the rest of the image, and are what make this image so interesting and beautiful.

The logo below also employs variety. The text is so simple, with very straightforward type saying "WATER." However, this would not make a good logo if it were not for the slight variation of turning one leg of the letter "A" into a water droplet. Suddenly, the viewer sees the word as more than just a word, but as art, and it adds to the meaning and shows that the simple text is intentional - it is simple, just as water is such a simple and necessary part of life.

The final image of the flower is one I took. This is variety at its simplest form - everything in the image seems the same, but then you see the flower. It is in the corner, and pops out because it is the only thing different. It has a different color, a different shape - it's just different. And that's what makes the image beautiful.

Balance

Balance refers to the composition seeming complete and whole, not leading your eye off of the page or leaning or being off kilter. This can be referring to specifically where the objects in the image sit in the frame, or the color placement, font choice, use of value, and so much more. If the image is not balanced, something seems out of place.

The first image is a pretty traditional idea of balance. The subjects are spread evenly across the page, with the background lines framing them in a sort of a triangle. The youngsters are in the middle with an adult on either side, making the piece symmetrical and feel balanced for this image. The way each person is posed helps balance the image, as the mother and father are both leaning in, and the children are as well. The brighter tones of red blend in because they are used more than once, and the little boy's shirt employs red in a more muted tone, which helps it blend in and keep the eye traveling throughout the image, giving it balance.

This second picture also employs balance. There are two main things going on in this image - the object sinking and the impact created at the surface of the water. Although the entire image implies a downward motion, the upward splash creates a balance with this. The viewer's eye does not go off the page, but is compelled to travel around the image to see the motion and interesting things happening. Even the small tints of orange in the surface splash provide a balance to the very orange object surging below.

This is a logo I designed for Cornerstone. I feel like this logo is a good example of balance, and balance is actually something I had to think a lot about while creating this image. The center is pretty equally weighted, with everything falling toward the middle of a circle - and a circle by itself feels quite balanced. However, I wanted to the words to be twisted off-kilter to add interest, but in order to still feel balance the dots going around the rest of the circle are there. The dots are darker as well, because your eye naturally wants to read the words, so bolder dots were needed to pull the eye back and make the image feel right.

Color

Color is the use of different hues, saturations and brightness to form an image that is not black and white. There is so much depth to color theory. Different colors have different feelings. All colors can roughly be divided into warm and cool colors. When colors really go together, this is called color harmony.

In the first example below, it is all black and white with the exception of one pop of color - the red piece of "sushi" that also forms part of the letter "H". This is vital to the design of this logo. If the piece were not red, it would probably be hard to tell that it is supposed to be a piece of meat, essentially. Also, it provides a focal point for the logo. It also gives the feeling of a tuxedo, because of the chopsticks looking similar to a suit and the red piece being a tie or something - this gives the brand the feel of being formal, special, exceptional. The simple pop of color really makes a statement and leaves a clear impression in the viewer's mind. Black, red and white are considered the power triad of color - they really contrast and pop.

The second example I have here is another graphic design example. It is of an invitation. Instead of using one specific pop of color, this invite liberally employs color - color seems to be the focus of this image. The colors are beautiful, vibrant, bold, and flow together. It makes the event seem beautiful, exciting, and harmonious in a way.

My photograph shows harmonious color. All of the colors are similar warm colors that blend together. It sets the mood of the image - without color, this image would be far less interesting. The color sets the ambiance of autumn, which looks beautiful and inviting. The cool white background also gives the feeling of frigid air, which heightens the feeling of fall that the image conveys all together.

Texture

Texture is the quality or feel of the subject or image if you were able to touch it. Some textures are actual - for instance, a painting made with a palette knife causing a raised surface - and some are simply implied, or given the look of having a texture.

The first image below is one that I took. I think this image is successful largely because of its use of texture. The boards look weathered and "beachy" - they seem rough to the touch. The grass blades that all form the slopes as well of the fluffy clouds all make you want to feel or touch the image, which gives a sense of depth and draws you into the image. It also provides a greater context.

The second image focuses a lot on texture - however, the texture is not of an object but of the man's skin. His hands and skin seem old, weathered, and wrinkled. This is essential to this beautiful composition. The texture of his skin contrasts his amazing bright and simply pure smile. Despite whatever circumstances seem to have led to his skin being so wrinkled (the texture), he has such a great smile, which creates a successful image.

The third image is not just a photograph involving texture, but it is a picture of a piece of art that is composed of actual texture. The plants in the ArtPrize entry form an interesting texture and "canvas" to carve the word "Breathe" out of. The plants add a lot of interest and add to the meaning of the piece as a whole. The texture is what makes this piece actually interesting.