Project 1 Reading Response

I was surprised, I have to admit, at how relevant all of the readings were to our application of type, basic geometric design, and image.  It seems I'm constantly learning new concepts and ideals to pay attention to as I work. 

Type and Image by Meggs discusses primarily, the alteration in images to convey the thoughts of the designer to the public.  These could be anything from small tweaks to major overhauls.  The work as a whole is an image in the end, and all aspects of presentation should be considered when taking the piece in a viewers perspective.  Strong diagonals and reflective or responsive shapes, strong contrasts, and the collection of image in the piece.  Everything in a work will influence the outcome, so it's imperative that your bits of information don't contradict your theme in any way.  The message should be simple and clear.  Our dot compositions are at least 50% or more, image based work.  The composition speaks, but the images will take precedence in the viewers eyes over everything else.  The fact that the image is foremost in the layers of the piece should be considered, when compared to the actual form of the dot.  So the imagery in our pieces should acurately depict our word on each page, or the theme will fall apart. 

Principles in 2D design by Wong hints at concepts such as movement and contrast created by pattern and placement.  I personally need to work on bringing this design element into my work over all else.  The dynamic compositions can be created with less clutter and more decisions on where things go, their correspondence to other color and placement in the piece, and the imagery in such shapes as well. 

In A Primer of Visual Literacy, Dondis informs us of the successful implication of a set of element pairs to work under.  These pairs consist of opposite design elements.  Below is a list of them. 

Opposing Principles include:
1.Balance - Instability
2.Symmetry - Asymmetry
3.Regularity - Irregularity
4.Simplicity - Complexity
5.Unity - Fragmentation
6.Economy - Intricacy
7.Understatement - Exaggeration
8.Predictability - Spontaneity
9.Activeness - Stasis
10..Subtlety - Boldness
11.Neutrality - Accent
12.Transparency - Opacity
13.Consistency - Variation
14.Accuracy - Distortion
15.Flatness - Depth
16.Singularity - Juxtaposition
17.Sequentiality - Randomness
18.Sharpness - Diffusion
19.Repetition - Episodicity

For sure, there were the basics, and then there were some that I had to re-read a few times.  Each concept will help to solidify any designers work.  Our dot compositions particularly rely on
1-5, 8-10, 13. 15, 17, and 19.