Rhythm, Balance and Scale

Question 1

Balance

Answer 1

We perceive balance as the relationship of the vertical axis to the horizontal axis.
We have an innate sense of balance and we seek balance.

Question 2

Felt Axis

Answer 2

We are unconsciously aware of how the intersection of the vertical axis to the horizontal axis plants an object to the ground of causes it to appear destabilized.

Question 3

Stress

Answer 3

Not all objects are visually stable. A circle or an irregular shape may not sit on an obvious axis. When the axis isn’t clear it destabilizes the object and creates visual stress. We can increase or decrease visual stress to control the viewer’s response.
As viewers, we’re always looking to create order of what we see. So even with destabilized objects, we supply the vertical and horizontal axis that locks the object in place.

Question 4

What creates stability vs stress?

Answer 4

Vertical and horizontal lines = stability
Tipping objects = stress

Question 5

Visual Balance

Answer 5

Visual balance occurs when the weight of one or more things is distributed evenly or proportionally in space

Question 6

Symmetry

Answer 6

You have elements on at least two sides of a common axis. Symmetry has an inherently stable balance. A symmetrical image mirrors itself from side to side, top to bottom.

Question 7

Symmetrical Balance

Answer 7

Creates harmony.
Is axial balance.
It is a totally resolved visual with everything on one side of the center axis mirrored on the other side of the center axis.

Question 8

Asymmetry

Answer 8

Balance doesn’t have to be static. You can use asymmetry to create dynamic balance. You can use contrasts including size, texture, value, color, and shape. You can still achieve balance using asymmetry but you’re using tension and balance to achieve a dynamic image.

Question 9

Asymmetrical Balance

Answer 9

Create contrast. It is a dynamic suggesting movement and feeling.

Question 10

Contrast in Balance

Answer 10

Asymmetrical balance avoids ambiguity. It relies on an underlying structure. Deviations in the structure create contrast.

Question 11

Balance is…

Answer 11

rational

Question 12

Stress is…

Answer 12

emotional

Question 13

Rhythm

Answer 13

A strong, regular, repeated pattern. Pattern design uses repetition to create rhythm. Changes in rhythm create surprise.
Designers used it in static images as well as books, magazines, and motion graphics.
Design uses circles, patterns, and grids to create rhythm, and visual surprise.
Design needs consistency and regularity to be cohesive. But it also needs variation to produce surprise and generate interest.

Question 14

Scale

Answer 14

Describes the dimensions of something. Often scale refers to the relationship between the size and a thing and what it’s depicting.

Question 15

Larger appears…

Answer 15

closer

Question 16

Overlap

Answer 16

The object in front appears closer

Question 17

Is scale subjective?

Answer 17

Yes. It can refer to your impression of the size of something. A room can be cavernous or cozy. One is large and the other is small but there’s not exact measurement for cavernous or cozy. It’s a sense of size that comes from how your physical presence relates to the space.

Question 18

Scale can be effected by..?

Answer 18

Context. Something that looks great on a computer screen can look missized when printed on a sheet of letter paper.

Question 19

How can an image lack scale?

Answer 19

When there are no clues telling you how it relates to other objects. To get a sense of scale you need other objects to compare to.

Question 20

What do variations in scale do to a design?

Answer 20

It gives a sense of depth and movement. It can create tension. When everything is the same size a design appears to be flat.

Question 21

Cropping can be used to imply what?

Answer 21

Scale. Things can appear very big when they bleed off the page.

Question 22

What happens when you alter the scale of common objects?

Answer 22

It can create new relationships.