Balance and Tension

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Balance

Balance is visual stability.

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Balance

The most important psychological as well as physical influence

on human perception is man’s need for balance, to have his two

feet planted firmly on the ground and to know if he is to remain

upright in any circumstance, in any attitude, with some

reasonable certainty.”

– Donis A. Dondis

“

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Balance

The need for balance is man’s strongest reference for making

visual judgements.

No method for calculating balance is faster or accurate as man’s

intuitive sense.

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Balance

An objects balance is judged by it’s relationship with the

horizontal and vertical axis.

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Balance

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Balance in the format

On the axis or the perceived axis.

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Balance in the format

Even white space between the form and format boundary.

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Tension

Tension is visual instability.

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Tension

This process of ordering, of intuitively recognizing regularity

or the lack of it, is an unconscious one, requiring no explanation

or verbalization. For both the sender and the receiver of visual

information the lack of balance and regularity is a very

disorienting factor.”

– Donis A. Dondis

“

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Tension

Elements that do not conform to the vertical and horizontal axis

cause tension.

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Tension

Since balance is such an important factor in human perception,

tension is one of the easiest visual qualities to perceive.

Elements that do not conform to the vertical and horizontal axis

cause tension.

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Tension

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Tension in the format

Uneven white space between the form and format boundary.

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Tension in the format

Off the axis or the perceived axis.

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Problem statement

Using a black square (1 3/8") on a white square format (4"x4")

create two compositions, one that illustrates balance and one

that illustrates tension.

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Breaking down the problem statement

Using a black square (1 3/8") on a white square format (4"x4")

create two compositions, one that illustrates balance and one

that illustrates tension.

Form

square

plane

1 3/8"

Format

square

structure

proportion

4"x4"

Principle

balance

tension

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Questions

What are the mathematical relationships between the object and

the format and the form?

How do the balance and tension compositions relate to each other?

How is balance best represented using a square in a square format?

How is tension best represented using a square in a square format?

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The Process

The problem statement can be solved through the answering of

questions. Use your thumbnail to answer questions that explore

the problem statement.

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Thumbnails

Use a full scale white square (4"x4") and a black square (1 3/8")

to explore the answers to the questions. Use your thumbnails

to document your findings.

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Evaluate thumbnails

Compare and contrast your thumbnails, which were successful

and which were not, why? Mark the ones you think answer

the questions.

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Refined ½ scale thumbnails

Use your refined thumbnails to further explore your best

thumbnails at the ½ scale size.

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Refined full scale thumbnails

Use your refined full scale thumbnails to refine your best thumbnails.

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Final

Mount your finals at full scale on 11"x14" Bristol board. Your

finals will be part of your final book that will be turned in at the

end of the semester. Create two copies of your final, one to

turn in and one for the final book.

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