What is Design? (8/30/11)

Design is a genre or characterization method into which pieces of art can be placed. The different elements which an work is comprised of determine what design the piece is defined by. As pointed out by Lauer and Pentak in Design Basics, design is an aspect that can be used to describe pieces of work across the entire spectrum of "art disciplines" whether or not there was a process of active meditation and execution put into the thought. Often the specific design of a piece has a significance and purpose in the meaning of the work of art itself. As shown below, the visual senses of possible consumers are appealed to by this ad for strawberries by the play on color, known texture, and other similarities between the tongue and the strawberry.

Types of Design (8/25/11)

The following is an example of a geometric design piece. This type of design is characterized by the repetitive use of geometric shapes to create a final work of art. The compilation of simple geometric shapes creating a larger piece is what defines a work to be a geometric design.

 

The image below of the hibiscus flower is an example of naturalistic design. Unlike the digitally created image above, the image of the flower is a photograph. Design is not term that is solely used to one medium of art. The central focus of this photograph being the single flower and the details of the hibiscus makes this photo fall in the naturalistic design category.

The following image is an example of an abstract design piece. There is not set shape to the components of this work. The collection of odd figures in this piece come together as one to evoke a larger feeling. This piece does not fall into other categories of design, and is unique in the characteristics it possesses. Hence, it is defined to be an abstract design piece.