Sunday, April 8, 2012

Examples of Design Principle Unity

This is my entry for CED this week.


I have been visiting a lot of blogs lately that I haven't been to before. One of the things I keep noticing is many of these blogs are touting their workshops. So, I want to invite you to join my Altered Book workshops I hold. There are MANY spots still open, so be sure to tell your friends and other bloggers. By the way, did I mention it is FREE? All you have to do is show up!! Right here on my blog, each Sunday night at 11 pm Central Daylight Time (see my right side bar for the time as it might relate to you). Now I feel better (grin).


I hope those of you who are taking my AB class will show up this week, so I can show my interpretation of the Design Principle "Unity." Unity was a difficult principle for me to explain, so I thought a few examples might help.


The easiest way to think of unity is through proximity and the easiest way to show that is to lump (or should I say group?) like objects together. The closer they are placed together, the better it is to see the pattern of unity.


There should be a visual link between the elements. A vertical visual link feels awkward and should be avoided.


Here, the eye has to jump from one image to the next, so there is no real visual link.


By including the road (although I do NOT draw well), you form a visual link and there is better unity. Still not perfect, but it shows how unity can be achieved.

I hope these examples of unity were helpful as you begin to make your pages for Lesson 5. Remember, you have until next Sunday at 11 pm (Kansas time, seen on my right sidebar) to post your examples of glue, gesso, tape, and any other adhesive you want to play with (Lesson 4).

11 thoughtful remarks:

SandeeNC said...

Hi Elizabeth...I'm a little confused as to the time, will have to see what central time is to eastern, or is Kansas Central time? See, told you I am confused, and are you going to have a chat, or skype? How are you holding the work shop...or is just something we can read? Look forward to hearing more about this! waving hi from the hills of North Carolina:)

carol l mckenna said...

Very informative post ~ love the colors in your creation ~ thanks, namaste, ^_^

Healing Woman said...

I'm impressed at how dedicated you are to these classes Elizabeth..and I might add that they are extremely well done. Scrolling down, I see the most intriguing lesson in using inks. I love the muted look you have achieved and the circular design. Thanks so much!

Caterina Giglio said...

i remember years ago my art teacher saying that unity/grouping was the relationship of the objects to each other, and that they wanted to be close to one another to tell their story, or far apart to tell a different story... interesting eh? x

Darla said...

Your examples are very easily understood. I particularly like the one with the two houses connected by the road.

Darla

gina said...

Hi! You explain the principle of unity very well with your examples. You are a natural teacher!

voodoo vixen said...

Well, bless your cotton socks... I can do lumping together!!

I didn't like to admit that I hadn't a cookin' clue what the lesson last week was all about... I need visual aids to get the idea. Now I can have a go at a page!!

Currie Silver said...

This is simply amazing stuff. And I will "bless your cotton socks..." too for a well-thought-through discussion about unity. I'm actually creating a Wonderful World of Collage curriculum for taking into schools and afterschool programs next school year and it's a big help and inspiration to have your take on things. I love how we've some of us heard this BEfore and still don't really "get it" but then along come your examples to bring it together!! Thanks so much.

elle said...

Repetition really helps to 'get' these principles. Also instructions! So you want us to link up with our previous lesson when you post the new lesson??? You are doing a good job, Elizabeth. We just may be sniffing, licking too much glue! LOL

Craftymoose Crafts said...

You are doing a great teaching job! Sometimes, I need to read the post several times before it sinks in--more me than you. I get unity very well now!

Anonymous said...

Hi Elizabeth, my name is Dawn and my big sister Karen (aka Karens Carry Ons) pointed me in the direction of your AB class a few weeks ago and I have gradually been following along and will hopefully catch up with the lessons at some point in the near future. Just wanted to let you know that I am here and avidly following along and also wanted to say a huge thank-you for offering such a clear and informative class for us all. Sadly at the moment I have no blog set up to be able to link you in to see what I have done so far but hopefully with Karen's help I will be setting one up next week. Thank-you again, Dawn