Introduction to Design Fundamentals Quiz

Introduction to Design Fundamentals

• Course title: DSGN1121
• Textbook: Ching, F.D.K.: Architecture: Form, Space, & Order

Principles of Design

• Principles are visual "rules" for creating good visual compositions
• They enable diverse forms and spaces to coexist within an ordered, unified, and harmonious whole.
• They create order and propose meaning in design
• They express scope or context relationships
• They attend to diversity and complexity in design

Perception and Aesthetics

• Humans perceive the visual world in predictable ways
• Mechanisms of visual perception are researched by psychologists
• People tend to like visual compositions that are recognizable, ordered, "feel right," or "make sense"
• Understanding human perception helps designers create solutions that please people
• Beauty is not solely in the eye of the beholder, but within the designer's toolkit

6 Principles in Architectural Design

• Balance: Defines how visual elements occupy space, can be symmetrical or asymmetrical
• Hierarchy: Placement of elements in order of importance
• Rhythm: Patterns created by repetitive elements
• Proportion: Relationship between sizes of elements
• Circulation: Movement through space, paths should be defined
• Unity: Creates a feeling of wholeness, elements complement each other

Balance

• Balance defines how consistently visual elements occupy space
• Balance is a quality in the composition of visual elements (regular or irregular arrangements)
• Symmetry: Elements arranged identically or reflected
• Symmetry is recognized by an imaginary axis
• Asymmetry: Lacking symmetry but with visual balance
• Axis: Dominating and regulating device in organizing spaces in architecture

Order through Visual Balance

• Symmetrical balance: Balanced arrangement of similar or equivalent form and space on opposite sides of a dividing axis
• Asymmetrical balance: Other qualities compensate for irregular distribution
• Axis can exist without symmetry; asymmetrical balance may involve visual or weighted balance

Visual Balance with Asymmetry

• Examples displayed showing balanced compositions despite lack of symmetrical elements

Order through Visual Balance (Further Details)

• Two fundamental types of symmetry exist
  • Bilateral symmetry: Similar or equivalent elements on opposing sides of an axis. A single plane divides it into two essentially identical halves (e.g., a book)
  • Radial symmetry: Similar, radiating elements arranged around a central point. Multiple planes can divide it into similar halves
• Asymmetry: Lack of symmetry but visual balance present

Hierarchy

• Refers to the placement of elements in order of importance
• More important elements will be more prominently displayed
• Architectural practice typically prioritizes parts of a structure in order of their importance
• Emphasis in architecture: unique elements, size, shape, color, material, or location within the composition

Order through Hierarchy

• Multiple hierarchical elements are possible
• Secondary elements can enhance visual appeal of primary elements
• Many dominant elements may cause confusion
• Overemphasis can weaken effect
• Visual hierarchies can be created through shape, position & placement.

Rhythm

• Rhythm refers to repeating patterns, either in regular or irregular intervals (determined visually as time or distance)
• Patterns are created by repetitive elements
• Movement can be perceived as we follow recurring structures through space or as we walk through a sequence of spaces

Order through Repeating Patterns

• Repetition is key to creating patterns
• Patterns can be created with variations in size, shape, and detail

Proportion

• Scale refers to an element's size relative to a reference point (e.g., meter)
• Defines if an element is considered large or small
• Proportion defines how much one element is bigger or smaller than another element or compared to a reference
• Golden Ratio: ratio of 1 to 1.618 is pleasing and commonly used in architecture

Fibonacci Sequence

• Series of numbers where each number is calculated by adding the two preceding numbers (e.g., 0, 1, 1, 2, 3, 5,...)
• Sequence is often found in nature (e.g., in the arrangement of petals, nautilus shells)
• Also, used in architecture, especially in the golden ratio ratio. Golden ratio is useful in design

Using the Golden Ratio

• Calculating the relationship between two sides of a rectangle, to achieve aesthetically pleasing and balanced compositions

Examples of Recognizable Proportions

• Examples showing the use of thirds and golden ratios in architectural elements to demonstrate visually pleasing proportions

Examples of Poor Proportion

• Examples illustrating poor proportion or unbalanced compositions in designs

Circulation

• This principle is primarily used in the design of inhabitable spaces
• Circulation refers to movement through space
• Configuration of circulation paths should be deliberate and organized

Circulation (further details)

• Circulation can be defined by approach, entrances, sequences of space, and path-space relationship

Unity

• Unity creates a feeling of wholeness (more than the sum of its parts)
• Elements in a composition complement one another
• Unity is achieved through design principles
• Unity is a quality of a composition, rather than a rule

Additional Notes

• Examples (images) are provided for each principle throughout the notes: showcasing design elements, like buildings, interiors, and architectural plans. These help visualize the use of the design principles. A multitude of examples are displayed with multiple building types and styles.