Balance and Unity/ Color Context According to Gender, Age, and Culture

  

        This week, we learned about balance and unity. In Chapter 7 of Form, Space, and Order, we learned about the six main ordering principles: axis, symmetry, hierarchy, rhythm, datum, and transformation. An axis is a line established by two points in space about which forms and spaces can be arranged in a symmetrical or balanced manner. Symmetry is the balanced distribution and arrangement of equivalent forms and spaces on opposite sides of a dividing line or plane or about a center or axis. Hierarchy is the articulation of the importance or significance of a form or space by its size, shape, or placement relative to the other forms and spaces of the organization. Rhythm is a unifying movement characterized by a patterned repetition or alteration of formal elements or motifs in the same or a modified form. Datum is a line, plane, or volume that, by its continuity and regularity, serves to gather, measure, and organize a pattern of forms and spaces. Finally, transformation is the principle that an architectural concept, structure, or organization can be altered through a series of discrete manipulations and permutations in response to a specific context or set of conditions without a loss of identity or concept.

        In Chapter 5 of Sketching Interiors, we learned about the perception of spatial relationships and drawing perspectives. In order to draw in perspective, there are five elements that are required: a horizon line, a vanishing point, a picture plane, a ground line, and a cone of vision. The horizon line is the line where the viewer's eye is located and represents the eye level of the viewer. The vanishing point is the point on the horizon line at which parallel lines converge. The picture plane is an imaginary transparent "window" in which the perspective view is drawn. The ground line is the meeting place of the picture plane and the ground. Finally, the cone of vision represents what a viewer will see within a perspective drawing. For this week, the sketch that we had to do was a one- or two-point perspective drawing of a space on campus. 

        In class this week, we talked about the meaning of color in different contexts, such as gender, age, and culture. In the United States, when representing the gender of a baby, blue is associated with boys, and pink is associated with girls. However, other countries sometimes use different colors. There is also a difference in color preference between different generations. The Boomer generation prefers neutral colors like beige, gray, and dark or muted blues. Gen X likes similar colors to the Boomer generation but adds in more nature-centric colors like greens, reds, and violets. Millennials, on the other hand, tend to prefer pink and other energetic shades like mint green, coral, baby blue, orange, and lavender. Finally, colors have different meanings in different cultures. For example, in the United States, the color white is often associated with purity and marriage, while in China, it represents death and mourning.

        Another assignment we had this week was our Visual Wallpaper project. We chose a print from Albrecht Durer, zoomed in on one small section, and drew that section to emphasize the texture in that area.