Mini Art School #2 (Blog 4)

Part 1

For the first part of the fourth blog, I decided to do #3 on page 84 of White Space Is Not Your Enemy by Golombisky and Hagen. For this activity, we are required to find logos of brands that we know that follow the four Gestalt laws (proximity, similarity, continuity, and closure) that were discussed in chapter 7. For each logo that I find, I will explain how it relates to those principles.

1. Starbucks

Proximity- Gesalt's principle stated that if objects are interpreted to be moving in the same direction, then they are believed to be part of the same group (Golombisky & Hagen, 76). We see this in the woman's hair and arms. Although the design only contains two colors, the vertical design is perceived to be grouped together, which is interpreted as her hair. Same with the horizontal stripes that are hinted to be her arms.

Similarity- As mentioned above, we as viewers groups designs by different principles. Since the vertical designs are the same similar shape, it is right to assume that they can be grouped together.

Continuity- "Our minds will continue a pattern beyond its ending points (Golombisky & Hagen, 76)." This can be seen by the woman's hair. Although her hair does not touch the crown above her head, it can be assumed that she is wearing the crown.

Closure- The circle in the logo is not fully closed. Where the woman's arm and hair meet the the green circle, it is still open. However, our minds see it as a closed circle.

2. Adidas

Proximity- Due to the proximity of the different aspects of the designs we group certain things. The viewer groups the three horizontal stripes together, as well as what appears to be ovular leaves at the top and bottom of those three stripes.

Similarity- The viewer groups the different parts of this design by the shape. As mentioned above, the three stripes are grouped together and the leaves are grouped together.

Continuity- Even though the three stripes are separating the top part and and the bottom part of the leaves in the logo, we see it as three full leaves in our minds. 

Closure- The logo is not closed. The white spaces in between of the three black lines leave it open. However, in our minds, we see it as a closed logo.

3. Paramount

Proximity- There are a couple different aspects to this design that are grouped together because of proximity. The letters are close together, so our minds read that as a word. This also applies to the stars that are located next to each other side by side.

Similarity- The stars are seen as a complete outline around the logo because they are similar in design, rather than them being seen as individual stars. Also, the black designs in the "mountain" can be grouped together as shadows.

Continuity- Although the line underneath the logo is not touching any other part of the design, it can be seen as the lower boundary of the logo. This shows continuity because the the mountain can be thought to continue and extend to the line.

Closure- Along with all the other designs, this logo is not closed. The white space in the logo is meant to portray a mountain, however, that same white space opens up the circle that the logo contains.

Part 2

For the second part of blog #4, I decided to do number 2 on page 56 of the same book. For this assignment, we had to go to the Library of Congress Prints & Photographs Reading Room and choose a few pictures that we like. Then we are directed to discuss why we like it according to the principles of design. As a future history teacher, I jumped at the opportunity for this activity. Learning through images is one of my favorite things to do in the classroom, and now I can see the reasoning behind I am fond of certain types of photos, and can know what type of photos to look for in the future. The different design principles I will be judging them on is: focal point, contrast, balance, movement, rhythm, perspective, and unity.

1. 

This first image was a poster used to recruit men for World War I. In the design you see four men smiling in their uniforms. The four men are clumped together to create one focal point. The men's faces are the first thing that you look at when viewing this picture. The main reason that they are the focal point is because of the contrast. There are two sets of contrast for this image. First, the plain tan background makes the more colorful men pop out from the background. Then since the green uniforms are separated by hat and shirt, the color in between (their faces) become contrasted. Balance is also very prevalent in this image. Although it is not perfectly symmetrical, there seems to be a very peaceful balance in this image. If you drew a line down the picture in the middle, two men would be located on the left, and two on the right, thus creating the balance. 

2. 

This is a picture taken of a parade in Washington DC in 1923. The picture, to me, seems to have a very obvious focal point. The focal point is the American flag that is located in the center of the picture. It is the closest object in the picture and located in the center, so it draws the viewers attention. Contrast also plays a strong role in this picture. The contrast also lies in the American flag. That is due to the direction of the flag and the color of the flag. Although the flag is in black and white, the majority of the picture is gray. With the left and right side of the flag being dark black, it stands out against the grayish background. Also, the entire background is captured in a horizontal direction. Since the stripes of the flag are going vertical, it shows even more contrast from the background. Movement is also seen in this picture. Not to only discuss the flag, but the flag is the object that it showing motion. "Vertical lines may also communicate inspirational upward movement (Golombisky & Hagen, 53)." The vertical lines of the flag can play into that quote. Also, since the straightness of the vertical lines seem to be inconsistent, it is hinted that there is movement in the flag, such as the wind blowing it.

3. 

The last picture that I am going to discuss is a design created in the 1970's by Bruce Carter in tribute to Wounded Knee. Contrast seems to be the most important principle of design in this picture. Just like the first picture that was discussed, there are two forms of contrast going on here. The top part of the background is a light grayish color. The rest of the background shows off a solid black patter. This pattern is supposed to represent men with guns. The men stand out because they are darker than the background. Next, there is contrast in the front level of the picture with the Native American's face. The face is the same light grayish color as the background. However, against the black pattern of men, the face is contrasted and stands out. If the black pattern was not there, then the face would not have any contrast. Secondly, this image has rhythm. The rhythm is seen by the pattern of the men in the picture. "In graphic design, rhythmic movement has to with repeating items strategically (Golombisky & Hagen, 53)." The men in the picture can be seen as a pattern that is repeating. Throughout the solid black color, there are representations of similarity looking men. Each men has a hat, head, torso, and a gun. That same pattern is repeated ten and a half times. Unity can also be seen in this picture because the two parties represented in the picture are related. Since this is a tribute to Wounded Knee, we can assume that the two parties, the Native American, and the men with guns, represent the same parties that were involved in Wounded Knee, and are therefore related to each other, showing unity of the subjects