Shape Grammar: Process

1.Research

For this project, I didn’t really do any further research.

  • Exercise

To understand and explore more in design principle, I created four different compositions by using geometric shapes, curvilinear shapes, point, line with design principles. I started to make new shapes from experimenting multiple arrangements of circles, triangles and squares.

Six digital arrangements from many of others

Final versions:

Digital version created by Illustrator

 

Handmade version with 8*8 inches white background and black shapes

2. Iteration

For final project, I have to choose one design principle to apply on both positive and negative shapes. The design principle I choose to make further is movement, and the title is “Rotation”; so I started to create the sense of movement by arranging different sizes shapes with angles. Although the composition has the movement, the negative shapes didn’t work out. The design principle didn’t become activated relationship between the implied shapes and positive shapes.

The first iteration’s visual center is in the middle. I thought it would be better if the rotation starts form a corner, so I created the four triangles arrangement at the corner with a enclosed shape. For this time, I use the successful part from previous iteration which is create movement by arranging different sizes shapes with angles. I also think more about the negative space.


3.Production

Later, I started to notice that the pattern also creates a enclose shape which is similar to the corner one. On Mrs. Valentine’s advice, the arrows aren’t really necessary. As a result, I applied more shapes to create negative space in order to strengthen the whole movement of composition. The pattern of shapes also creates a flow line that could guide audience’s eye.

Hand made with 8*8 inches white background and black shapes
Digital version made by Illustrator (8*8 inches)

In order to transfer the digital to physical, I printed it in real scale, so that I can cut the shapes out and trace them on the black paper, and then cut it out from black paper. The big challenge during doing the physical version is making sure the angles between shapes are right. I have to make lots of little adjustments to get the final version, and then glue.

4. Link to Portfolio Project