All design starts and builds on three main elements: the point, a line comprising a series of joined points, and a plane when lines are used in combination to create shapes.
During our first week’s lecture, we were introduced to the three main elements of design: point, line and plane. We also learned how they work together as the fundamental building blocks of design. In the first project I will be illustrating how these three elements can be used in creating designs.
I found it interesting when considering design how these elements are interconnected - a line being a series of points joined together and a plane being made up of lines to build shapes.
We were also introduced to some major designers and design movements such as Bauhaus, Josef Muller Brockmann, and our lecturer shared some of his design inspirations, such as Russell Mills and James Vittore.
During class we were also set three main tasks: a two-dot, three-dot, five-dot exercise; a two-line, three-line, five-line exercise; and a nine-planes in three different ways exercise.
We were also introduced to the extremely important design principle of always starting on paper before moving to digital design tools.
I have included illustrations of my paper and my digital versions of these tasks below.
In class we were set a task to create 3 different designs: with two points, three points, and five points. It was also suggested to try and provide a narrative to express my design thinking. I decided to try to link the two, three and five points exercise.
I started with the top left-hand frame, and drew two large circles which extended beyond it, I envisioned the two circles as planets orbiting each other. Therefore, when I moved on to three points it made sense to add a smaller moon-like circle in between the two. So, I added two more moon-like circles to create five points.
For the middle set of points, I started with two circles which extended beyond the frame, touching in the centre. I moved on to three circles. I used a full semi-circle to fill the bottom half of the frame. I placed two smaller circles - which extended beyond the frame - in the upper corners. Then I noticed I had formed what looked like a very sad facial expression. For the five point frame, I drew four circles of the same size and added a smaller circle in the middle.
For my third set of points, I was inspired by an archery target. I doubled the diameter of each additional point, and alternating between fills of black and pale grey to give a contrasting effect.
