Design Basics - Value with Depth

[AcRoNym]

theres more to it than aesthetics

[AcRoNym]

well theres form and how it adds balance and interest to your design, also line and how it affects the dynamics of your designs and layouts and how the eye follows. Erm graphics using flat design (form and linear) concepts and elements, and shape and space.. Erm and value and texture.

tanya will prob know some of this

[LazyJim]

sorry it's a bit long this one.......


The (noun) definitions for aesthetics from dictionary.com:
1.A guiding principle in matters of artistic beauty and taste;
2.An underlying principle, a set of principles, or a view often manifested by outward appearances or style of behaviour.

Outward appearances being the best description I think.
It's about how something is perceived (in the mind, after being sensed).

all of the things u just mentioned are aesthetics, or part of the process to affect the aesthetics of the thing u're creating. (IMO)

I would say "form follows function" means that function should be defined before the form can be defined, (as the design of the function can affect the form), only then can you start on the outward appearances (aesthetics), as the form will have limits set by the function. (The limits are not only set by function, other factors include ergonomics, materials, manufacturing, environment, legislation etc).

Of course in some cases form precedes function, but only when all factors have been analysed and the decision has been made that function is not as important as form. Art is an example of such a case, although no analysis is required because you already know 'form' comes first, (or rather the function is to convey a message/feeling through use of aesthetics (outward appearances)).

In Graphic Design elements such as line, shape/form, and colour are used as building blocks, my understanding is that graphic design is mainly about how to use the building blocks, to create the aesthetic effect required. Whereas the design is only concerned with specifying what aesthetic affect is required.

Or perhaps more accurately...
Aesthetics works out how the outward appearances of something, cause the user to perceive it how the Designer specifies it should be perceived.

By the way. is graphic design only 2D, or real 3D objects too?

[TanyaMartin]

Whoa, too deep...I feel like I'm in class all over again
This is supposed to be my day off...don't make me think that hard.

[LazyJim]

lol i can't help thinking

[AcRoNym]

hey lj dont believe everything u read, especially the dictionary ..its says 'nothing is something that doesnt exist' but something does exist.

[LazyJim]

the dictionary definition was just a backup to add credibility to what I am saying, I don't believe everything I read, I only read to see what is written.
After subconciously and conciously accessing reliability of the data, and its relavance, I hope to gain understanding, or knowledge, or reinforce/augment knowledge/understanding I already had.

[AcRoNym]

you speak in riddles

[LazyJim]

if i made a dictionary i would make 2 definitions of "nothing" both reference each other. It would send people on a 'wild goose chase', but it would tell them what they needed to know!

[LazyJim]

Originally Posted by AcRoNym

you speak in riddles

is'a ccommunication limitation.
Limited by the written language, and the also by the way I use it.

[AcRoNym]

u crack me up...

[LazyJim]

[AcRoNym]

is it a an old man? can i pass?

[LazyJim]

wrong!
lol no u can't
we havn't even touched time, conciousness, existance, cosmos or 'God' yet! We got a long way to go

[AcRoNym]

bugger

i have one can u go 'down' in space?

hehe weve hijacked this thread bigtime

[LazyJim]

Originally Posted by AcRoNym

you speak in riddles

that's because I can't tell you anything and expect you to understand, you have to hear what I say and think about it in order to make the mental leap from perceiption to understanding.

much to learn you have, young padwan.

[LazyJim]

oops yeah mega hi-jack sorry TanyaMartin!

[AcRoNym]

you already quoted that, take some selenium, and i think you being the blob master i will lean fast woohooo

[AcRoNym]

and u aint answered my space question...

[AcRoNym]

and ur still speaking in riddles LOL