Glossary
This formalist approach to the study visual relationships emphasizes abstract compositional elements rather than iconography or social context. Objective principles of order and organization are independent on the content or diverted by personal taste. This methodology is a synthesis of analysis, organization and articulation of abstract elements especially related to three-dimensional design (but can apply to graphic design, architecture, painting and sculpture). These terms and definitions can describe the relationships possible through manipulating or expressing specific elements such as, proportion, hierarchy, balance, grouping movement, asymmetry, rhythm, and spatial opposition. These words are used by students to articulate critical analysis of three-dimensional work, therefore some of them have specific definitions for formgivers beyond their conventional meanings. For instance here “negative space” is not a black hole and “activation” is not only a marketing term.
Abstraction
Essence, basic idea or quality, rather than an actual object or meaning of the object. Method of aesthetic analysis of structural elements, shapes and arrangements rather than content.
Example: “The abstract form of the tree is a sphere on a cylinder.”
Examples: Plutonic forms, Cubism and Impressionistic painting, black and white, outlines, cartoons. Using numbers (abstraction) can help reveal underlying aesthetic order of nature.
Seeing abstract shapes allows manipulation of visual relationships without including meaning or purpose. Conversely, the use of abstraction to create a pleasing visual relationship can help give meaning to an otherwise unstructured form or space.
Form
Three-dimensional shape, mass, and volume of things (aside from its material).
Space
Between or Surrounding positive shapes or forms;
Volumetric spaces can be defined by lines, planes, solid volumes, planes, lines, building edges, columns, sloped earth.
Sometimes referred to as ground, empty space, field, or void.
Solid-void theory is the three dimensional counterpart to figure ground theory. It holds that volumetric spaces, shaped or implied by the placement of solid objects are as important or more important than the objects themselves.
Space
Dominant:Element most important, powerful, commanding, controlling, prevailing or successful.Element in composition group that is the largest, most important, most prominent, and/or most interesting in character.Sub-dominant:Element in a group that is the second most important, prominent, and interesting in character.Subordinate:Element that is submissive to or controlled by one or both of the other two elements.Minor element that adds to three-dimensional interest and further defines the character of the group, while adding to the overall unity of design.
Glossary
This formalist approach to the study visual relationships emphasizes abstract compositional elements rather than iconography or social context. Objective principles of order and organization are independent on the content or diverted by personal taste. This methodology is a synthesis of analysis, organization and articulation of abstract elements especially related to three-dimensional design (but can apply to graphic design, architecture, painting and sculpture). These terms and definitions can describe the relationships possible through manipulating or expressing specific elements such as, proportion, hierarchy, balance, grouping movement, asymmetry, rhythm, and spatial opposition. These words are used by students to articulate critical analysis of three-dimensional work, therefore some of them have specific definitions for formgivers beyond their conventional meanings. For instance here “negative space” is not a black hole and “activation” is not only a marketing term.
Abstraction
Essence, basic idea or quality, rather than an actual object or meaning of the object. Method of aesthetic analysis of structural elements, shapes and arrangements rather than content.
Example: “The abstract form of the tree is a sphere on a cylinder.”
Examples: Plutonic forms, Cubism and Impressionistic painting, black and white, outlines, cartoons. Using numbers (abstraction) can help reveal underlying aesthetic order of nature.
Seeing abstract shapes allows manipulation of visual relationships without including meaning or purpose. Conversely, the use of abstraction to create a pleasing visual relationship can help give meaning to an otherwise unstructured form or space.
Form
Three-dimensional shape, mass, and volume of things (aside from its material).
Space
Between or Surrounding positive shapes or forms;
Volumetric spaces can be defined by lines, planes, solid volumes, planes, lines, building edges, columns, sloped earth.
Sometimes referred to as ground, empty space, field, or void.
Solid-void theory is the three dimensional counterpart to figure ground theory. It holds that volumetric spaces, shaped or implied by the placement of solid objects are as important or more important than the objects themselves.
Space
Dominant:Element most important, powerful, commanding, controlling, prevailing or successful.Element in composition group that is the largest, most important, most prominent, and/or most interesting in character.Sub-dominant:Element in a group that is the second most important, prominent, and interesting in character.Subordinate:Element that is submissive to or controlled by one or both of the other two elements.Minor element that adds to three-dimensional interest and further defines the character of the group, while adding to the overall unity of design.