Glossary - 76 &77 Flashcards
Acronym
A word formed by the first letters of other words that make up the name of something
Activist
A person who is very passionate about a certain issue or problem in society; they are involved in highlighting the issue, protesting against it and bringing about positive change.
Anticipated movement
When a three dimensional object or the subject matter in a composition looks like it is going to move by its pose or position then, as humans we complete the movement in our minds.
Apartheid
A South African political and social regime which discriminated against “non-white” people; led by the National Party; began in 1948 and ended in 1994.
Associations
When people subconsciously connect things with other things, or assume that there is a relationship between them; when something suggests an idea or jogs a memory that is seemingly unrelated.
Chandelier
A large, round, decorative light fitting which has branches that hold the light or candles
Chiaroscuro
A tonal effect where there is a direct contrast between light and dark areas, creating a dramatic effect.
Closed composition
An image where the subject matter and compositional elements fit inside the space, nothing is cut off by boundary the of the format.
Composition
Describes the arrangement and placement of elements and imagery within the format of the design
Conceptual
Visually communicating abstract ideas and thoughts; the design speaks about things beyond the actual imagery or composition presented causing the viewer or consumer to engage with the design for a longer period of time
Consumerism
The belief that it is good for people to buy a lot of things and use many services, spending large amounts of money in order to enjoy life.
Couturier
A fashion designer who designs expensive, original clothing for wealthy clients, particularly women
Critical thought
To approach something consciously looking for its faults and flaws; to constantly question the validity and success of something.
Crystalline
A shape or form that is similar to the structure of a crystal
Decadent
To have low morals and a love of pleasure rather than to take life seriously.
Delineated
To be separated by clear edges or boundaries; easily definable shapes or forms
Democracy
The belief system that sees all people as equal and that they should be treated fairly with respect and dignity
Eclectic
To borrow from a wide variety of sources and styles, or to be influenced by them in some way.
Economic Boom
When a country is doing extremely well economically and the country is flourishing financially; there is lots of money to spend and invest, businesses are growing and the rate of unemployment is lower.
Exclusive
Elite, reserved for the few that can afford to buy these products and services, used as a status symbol
Extravagant
To spend a lot of money or more than you can afford, to be excessive and “over the top”
Global warming
The gradual increase of the earth’s average seasonal temperatures due to the excessive emissions of green house gases. These gases allow the sun’s rays and heat into the earth’s atmosphere yet block the heat from radiating back into space and so the temperature gradually increases causing climate change.
Golden section
A constant ratio found in nature which determines the relationship of the parts to the whole object. The ratio is 0.618
Hard-edged
Shapes and forms that have definite, crisp boundaries
Insightful
To show a clear understanding of a person or situation; to grasp the truth about something
Kinetic empathy
Where an object is depicted in an unstable pose and as humans we will expect it to move or fall over
Less is more
A phrase invented by Mies van der Rohe to express the idea that a design is more successful and has more visual impact if it is stripped of all the unnecessary detail and ornamentation
Mass
The weight of an object
Metallic hues
Pure colours that have. shiny sheen to resemble the common metals like gold, silver, bronze and copper.
Modelling
A sculptural technique where a soft material is shaped into the desired form using one’s hand or tools
Motion blur
When photographs are taken of moving objects with a slow shutter speed so that the form appears to stretch or the edges become hazy
National style
At times artists and designers working within the same country have created art and design that has similar characteristics
‘Noble Savage’
A historically discriminatory European belief that “primitive” African people should be admired as they lived simple lives, using their hands to provide for themselves and living close to nature
Open composition
A cropped composition in which the subject matter goes beyond the boundary of the picture plane
Overlap
To places one thing in front of another so that it partially hides the object behind it
Personal style
The individual way an artist or designer uses their equipment, skills and techniques to produce something that is uniquely their own
Picture plane
The two dimensional surface of the format on which the composition is designed
Plagiarism
To copy someone else’s ideas and pretend that they are your own without their prior consent; to steal someone else’s intellectual property illegally.
Recessional space
The illusion of three-dimensional space that leads the viewer to the back of the picture plane
Sfumato
A smoky, hazy effect used in the background to give an illusion of space
Soft-edged
When the edges of the shapes/forms are blurred and undefined
Stereotype
A generalisation or assumption made about a type of person that is not based on experience; generally disrespectful and discriminatory.
Tenebrism
A tonal effect where the majority of the space is dark and only a few areas are brightly highlighted
Value pattern
The visual effect created by the various areas of dark and light tones within an image
Vivid colour
Bright, bold, luminous colour
Volumetric
An object that takes up space; a three-dimensional object
Whimsical
To be unusual, care free and vaguely humorous
Witty
Clever, amusing, original and unique ideas.
