Art.103 Two-Dimensional Design
Shape Motif: Unity and Variety
At this point, you are becoming much more adept at looking at shape before looking at the "things" the shapes represent. In this assignment, we will continue to work with shape to better understand the structure of shape (aside from its relationship to the "thing" it might represent), but we will also begin to look at shape in relationship to itself and its negative shape.
An interesting and complex composition will contain a certain amount of difference, usually called variety, but too much variety will cause the composition to become chaotic. Repetitions of shape, color, value, texture, etc.--usually called unity--often work with variety to create a composition that is interesting but not chaotic.
In this assignment you will work with pattern to create unity, and variation of shape orientation to create variety. Choose a "good" shape from your shape variations. In a FreeHand file, create a three-square grid using the rulers and guides to create 2" boxes:
- Under View, choose Page Rulers, Show
- Change the units of measure at the bottom of the page to inches.
- Drag the 0/0 point (box in the upper left of the rulers) to a point 1" from the top and 1" from the left.
- Drag guides to create a grid of three 2" boxes across and three 2" boxes down. Make sure you are at 400% to accurately place the guides.
Next, copy your shape into the upper left hand box. Make sure it is sized correctly--use a 200 or 400% window to fit it precisely in the box.
- (Did you read the sentence above?) Copy the shape and place it in the upper right hand box, the lower left hand box, and the lower right hand box.
- Copy the shape and place it in the center top box and rotate it by doublie clicking the rotate tool (under the scale tool or seventh tool down on the left) while holding down the option key. In the rotate menu, type -90 and click rotate or hit return.
- Copy your rotated shape and place it in the middle box. Rotate it -90 degrees.
- Copy your new rotated shape and place it in the middle left hand box. Rotate it -90 degrees.
- Copy your last rotated shape and paste it in the center right hand box.
- Choose the shape in the center box on the top row and copy and place it into the center of the bottom row.
- Check that all shapes fit precisely in their guide boxes at a 200 or 400% scale.
Next create "crop marks" for cutting out your shape rotation by doing the following:
- Change your unit of measure back to points.
- Chose the line tool (fifth tool down on the left) and draw rules on the guides, holding the shift key down to make sure they are straight, that create the outside edges of your shape rotation, allowing the line to continue beyond the outside edge by about an inch.
- Select your lines and in the line menu in the Objects dialog box, choose a basic, black, hairline rule.
- Draw a box (box tool, sixth tool down on the right) with a white outline and a white fill over all your shapes, covering up part of the 1" excess of line.
- Send your box to the back (Modify, Arrange, Send to Back).
- Select all your lines by clicking on them while holding the shift key. Send them to the back (Modify, Arrange, Send to Back).
Decide if you have a "good shape" rotation. If so, print out six copies and trim them using a metal ruler, and Xacto knife. Look for at least three "good shape" rotation ideas.
Arrange your 3 x 3 shape grid in a larger composition (three grid shapes across, two grid shapes down) in various orientations to create a dynamic composition containing both unity and variety.
You may elect to reverse your positive/negative shape relationships in some or all of the 3 x 3 grids.
Final Presentation
After working with a variety of orientations of your 3 x 3 grids and placement of your positive/negative shape grids, decide on a final layout. Seek approval from Starla before finalizing your layout.
In FreeHand, use the document window and choose a horizontal tabloid page setting. Turn on rulers, set rulers to inches. Save this file as your first initial, last name.
Select only your shapes from your 3 x 3 grid file, group and copy it into the new tabloid-sized file. In the new file, scale the 3 x 3 grid to 80% (using the scale tool under the Align/Transform menu--choose the rotate or scale tool in the menu and double click while holding down the option key). Do the same with your negative 3 x 3 grid if you are choosing to use it in your final composition.
Set a grid line .5" from the top of the page and .5" from the left of the page. Use these guides to align your 3 x 3 grids, rotating them into your final layout. Type your name in 11pt. Palatino in the lower right hand corner just below the image area.
Export the file (under File) as a Macintosh EPS. Turn in both files on a CD labeled with your name for grading. Later, you will window mat output from this file in black or white with 3" borders, a backing board, and cover sheet.
Second part of the Assignment: Interactive Motif