Aesthetics: associated principles

• An object with strong “visual movement” tends to be shaped in a way that it draws the eye in a certain direction. Its shape or shapes may be asymmetrical, flowing, or dynamic. Objects with less visual movement tend to have more static and symmetrical shapes.

Movement:

• A pattern is a repeated design element. �Patterns are found on many plants and animals, (for example, leaves and tabby cats) as well as on manufactured products, such as fabrics and wall and floor coverings.

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Pattern:

• Rhythm is related to pattern in that it uses repeating elements, but they may have a stronger quality of movement and be in the form of sequences or series.

Rhythm:

• Proportion has to do with the relationship between �different parts of an object or composition (or between those parts and the object as a whole) The proportions of an object made to be used, such as a teapot or a jug, may have a functional as well as an aesthetic purpose.

Proportion:

• To form a golden rectangle, using line EF, divide a square (green) into equal parts. F now becomes the center of a circle with radius FC. Draw an arc of the circle (CG) and extend AD to intersect it. ABHG is a golden rectangle. �(AB:AG = 1:1.618). Interestingly, so is CHGD.

Golden Section:

• Another mathematical phenomenon that is reflected throughout Nature is the Fibonacci Series, in which a set of each number is the sum of the previous tow numbers: 0,1,1,2,3,5,8,13,21,34,55 etc.

This series is closely related to the golden section: as the series �progresses, the ratio of an two consecutive numbers draws closer and closer to the golden section �(for example, 8,13 = 1:1.625; �13:21 = 1.1615, and so on).

Fabonacci Series:

Balance:

• Radial, where the design elements radiate out from the center, as in the petals of a daisy or the face of a clock;
• Formal (or symmetrical) where the design on one side of a center line is identical to the other side, as in the front view of an animal or chair.
• Infromal (or asymmetrical), where the elements of a design are �distributed unequally, as in the side view of a teapot.

Harmonious:

• A harmonious design is one in which its different elements are in unity with each other – for example, its colours may blend together well. A harmonious design might be considered appropriate for the furnishings of a relaxing environment, such as a bedroom.

Contrast:

• Contrast, the opposite quality to harmony, involves the use of opposing elements, such as clashing colours and shapes, in the same design. Contrast in a design may be more appropriate for a �stimulating environment or when impact is wanted, such as in advertising layouts.

Style:

• Style is most often related to aesthetics rather than function. Style is ever-changing. What may be considered ugly or gauche one year may be the height of fashion the next. Whereas it’s possible to make objective judgements on the success of a functional design, judgements on style are much more subjective and reliant on �individuals’ personal responses.

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Function: associated principles

Strength and Durability:

• The strength of an object is determined by its ability to withstand pressures and forces
• The development of materials such as fibre glass and carbon fibre has allowed designers to make lightweight, streamlined products that are still extremely strong.

Durability:

• Durability: is the ability of a product or material to last in a given environment and to stand up to wear.

• Safety and Stability: Products, systems, and environments must be designed so that they are as safe as practically possible to use. In many instances, designs have been adapted to make them safer for particular users.

Safety and Stability:

Stability:

• Stability: is a factor that’s often considered when reviewing the safety and reliability of an environment, system or design. Anything that’s not stable is unlikely to function effectively in the long term, be it a building, an ICT system, an engine, a plant nursery environment, or a food product.

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Efficiency:

• Efficiency: Technically, efficiency is the ratio of useful work achieved to the amount of energy expended. But the term is more often used in relation to a situation where work is productive with minimum wasted effort or expense.

Reliability:

• Reliability: Reliability is the likelihood that a product or system will continue to do its job. The design of a product and the components used in it influence its reliability. Reliability is a much more critical consideration for some products than for others, particularly when safety is at stake

Fitness for Purpose:

• Fitness for Purpose: Fitness for purpose describes how well a product works in the situation it was designed for and how well it meets the needs of its intended end-users, In order to ensure that a product is fit for its purpose, its designer has to find the right balance between technical factors and the needs of those who will be using the product.

User-friendliness:

• User-friendliness: The user-friendliness of a product, environment, or system is the degree to which it is easy to use. The relative importance of user-friendliness in the design of a product, environment, or system depends on how widely it will be used.

Ergonomic Fit:

• Ergonomic Fit: Ergonomics is the study of the relationship between people and their working environment, especially in connection with things they use
• Designing objects that �take account of people’s �size and shape requires� the use of standardised �body measurements �called anthropometric �data, which can vary �from country to country.