Design Principles - Final Compilation
9.2.2026 - 25.3.2026 (Week 2 - Week 8)
Cheyenne Liew Khye Yean / 0378330
Design Principles / Bachelor of Design (Hons) Creative Media
Design Principles / Bachelor of Design (Hons) Creative Media
Final Compilation
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. Links
2. Final Submission3. Reflection
2. Final Submission
1. LINKS
2. FINAL SUBMISSION
Nocturne_Cheyenne Liew Khye Yean_Task 3
Design Decisions
My design was built around a grid of squares placed over a background of circles with four-pointed stars in varying sizes. The square grid was made partially transparent using a lighten blending mode so the colours from the circles below can show through and mix to add depth to the composition. A slightly blurry, grainy texture was also added to all the elements to give them a softer appearance while still keeping the shapes clear and recognisable. The colour palette was taken directly from the original Eye 94 poster itself to create a connection with the reference artwork. Bright colours were used against a darker blue background to create strong contrast and make the composition more striking. Additionally, the stars inside the circles also use an exclusion blending mode to further emphasise the colour contrast.
Meaning/Purpose
The purpose of this artwork is to create an abstract composition using layered shapes and colours, similar to the original design made by MuirMcNeil, where each piece was captured by a camera randomly zooming into a large master pattern and taking snapshots. To reflect this idea, I arranged the shapes in a slightly random way instead of keeping it perfectly uniform. The texture of my design is also an attempt at subtly replicating the look of blurry lights, also known as a bokeh effect, which is how I interpreted the original artwork.
Design Principles
1. Repetition- Repetition can be seen through the repeated use of squares, circles, and stars across the composition. These shapes appear repeatedly throughout the design, which helps to create rhythm and consistency.
2. Contrast- Contrast is created through the use of bright colours against the dark blue background, making the shapes stand out. Transparency also adds to the contrast, as the yellow squares blend slightly with the colours underneath while parts of the background circles subtly show through the white grid.
3. Balance- The design uses asymmetrical balance, meaning that the elements are not directly mirrored on both sides. For example, the 2 larger circles on the left side of the background help to even out the 4 smaller circles on the right. At the same time, because there are fewer circles on the left side, more of the square grid is visible there, which also helps balance the overall visual weight.
4. Movement- Movement can be found in the circles forming a zigzag pattern across the centre of the composition and the white square grid below it. Both elements create variations in the pattern and help guide the viewer's eyes across different areas of the design instead of keeping them fixed in one place.
5. Gestalt Theory- The principle of similarity is applied through the repeated shapes and colours. Since many of the elements share similar forms and colours, viewers naturally group them together when looking at the design as a whole. The repeated squares form a recognisable grid pattern, while the circles and stars in the background appear as related elements, keeping the composition organised.
6. Unity & Harmony- Unity and harmony are achieved through the consistent use of similar shapes, colours, and textures throughout the design. The squares, circles, stars, and grain textures work together to create a cohesive visual style, making the entire composition feel connected.
Nocturne_Cheyenne Liew Khye Yean_Task 3
Design Decisions
My design was built around a grid of squares placed over a background of circles with four-pointed stars in varying sizes. The square grid was made partially transparent using a lighten blending mode so the colours from the circles below can show through and mix to add depth to the composition. A slightly blurry, grainy texture was also added to all the elements to give them a softer appearance while still keeping the shapes clear and recognisable. The colour palette was taken directly from the original Eye 94 poster itself to create a connection with the reference artwork. Bright colours were used against a darker blue background to create strong contrast and make the composition more striking. Additionally, the stars inside the circles also use an exclusion blending mode to further emphasise the colour contrast.
Meaning/Purpose
The purpose of this artwork is to create an abstract composition using layered shapes and colours, similar to the original design made by MuirMcNeil, where each piece was captured by a camera randomly zooming into a large master pattern and taking snapshots. To reflect this idea, I arranged the shapes in a slightly random way instead of keeping it perfectly uniform. The texture of my design is also an attempt at subtly replicating the look of blurry lights, also known as a bokeh effect, which is how I interpreted the original artwork.
Design Principles
1. Repetition
- Repetition can be seen through the repeated use of squares, circles, and stars across the composition. These shapes appear repeatedly throughout the design, which helps to create rhythm and consistency.
2. Contrast
- Contrast is created through the use of bright colours against the dark blue background, making the shapes stand out. Transparency also adds to the contrast, as the yellow squares blend slightly with the colours underneath while parts of the background circles subtly show through the white grid.
3. Balance
- The design uses asymmetrical balance, meaning that the elements are not directly mirrored on both sides. For example, the 2 larger circles on the left side of the background help to even out the 4 smaller circles on the right. At the same time, because there are fewer circles on the left side, more of the square grid is visible there, which also helps balance the overall visual weight.
4. Movement
- Movement can be found in the circles forming a zigzag pattern across the centre of the composition and the white square grid below it. Both elements create variations in the pattern and help guide the viewer's eyes across different areas of the design instead of keeping them fixed in one place.
5. Gestalt Theory
- The principle of similarity is applied through the repeated shapes and colours. Since many of the elements share similar forms and colours, viewers naturally group them together when looking at the design as a whole. The repeated squares form a recognisable grid pattern, while the circles and stars in the background appear as related elements, keeping the composition organised.
6. Unity & Harmony
- Unity and harmony are achieved through the consistent use of similar shapes, colours, and textures throughout the design. The squares, circles, stars, and grain textures work together to create a cohesive visual style, making the entire composition feel connected.
3. REFLECTION
What have I learnt in this module?
I learnt more in depth about design principles, especially Gestalt Theory, which I never really understood how to use. Throughout the whole module, I've also learnt how to apply these principles more intentionally in my own designs. This helped me understand how elements work together instead of just looking at them one by one.What did I enjoy the most?
I enjoyed Task 3 the most because it was where I could finally work on my final artwork. I found the process of experimenting with colour gradients and textures more exciting compared to the ideation stage. I enjoyed having the freedom to play around with certain elements and see my final work come together.What did I not enjoy the most?
I didn't particularly enjoy the sketching stage. Since my chosen artwork was made using generative design, I didn't quite know how to start my own sketches that reflect that same idea, which made the starting phase feel more difficult than the rest of the task. It was quite overwhelming at first, but once I got over that stage, the rest of the process went smoothly.What have I learnt about myself through this module?
I realised that I tend to struggle more at the planning stages when my ideas are still unclear. I prefer working on the execution part where I can allow myself to experiment freely. At the same time, I learnt that I can continue developing my ideas through the process, even if I didn't have everything figured out at the start.What has changed and what has not in my learning journey?
Something that has changed is that I now approach my designs more thoughtfully, especially in terms of applying design principles. I'm more aware of why I make certain design choices now. However, what hasn't changed is that I still rely mainly on experimentation to help me figure things out.What are my aspirations?
I hope to continue improving my design skills, especially in idea development. I want to become more confident in the early stages of my work process and be able to come up with ideas more easily. I also hope to explore different styles and techniques to further develop my creativity.
Comments
Post a Comment