Course Goals and Objectives

This course serves as an introduction into the language and interpretation of theatrical design through an exploration of design elements and principles as they relate to scenic, costume & lighting design. Everyone who works in the theatre needs to have a basic foundation in each of the various areas so that when you are working with other directors, designers, stage managers, technicians, and actors, everyone can speak the same language and be sensitive to each other’s responsibilities and talents. At the end of this course, students should have:

• Learned the fundamental principles and philosophies used by designers in the theatrical design process
• Learned to apply course material in the exploration of methods used by designers (to improve critical thinking and creative problem solving)
• Gained a strong sense of design terminology, processes, and methods
• Gained a familiarity with the elements and principles of design
• Developed creative capacities through exploration of how the design process works to support the ideas, themes, issues and values expressed in dramatic literature
• Respect for and increased understanding of the contributions of designers to a theatrical production

Wednesday, August 28, 2013

Elements of Design Notebook Due Thursday September 26 by 5:00 pm


INTRO TO THEATRE DESIGN
ELEMENTS AND PRINCIPLES OF DESIGN NOTEBOOK

These assignments are intended to develop your ability to recognize and think critically about the elements and principles of design and how they are used to psychologically manipulate the viewer.  Examples will come from photographs, art/architectural/fashion prints, copies of art plates from books on art, architecture, interiors, clothing, photography, art postcards, magazine ads, or any other printed medium in which you can identify the design element or principle.  Google image searches are acceptable, but must be printed out on a reasonable quality paper and at least 4” x 6”.  You should be prepared to analyze your example in class according to the information given in the corresponding reading and lecture.  Once we have discussed the examples in class, you will then place each example with a written, typed analysis for each element or principle in your notebook (each assignment gets a written analysis; one to two paragraphs in length).  Your notebook should be a nice, “designed,” thoughtfully, and carefully presented final product of the collected assignments.
THE NOTEBOOK IS DUE ON THURSDAY SEPT 26 BY 5:00PM

THE ELEMENTS
1. Line 
Part one: Bring in two color pieces of “artwork” – can be a photograph, a painting, a graphic design, from a magazine, internet whatever – minimum of 4 x 6.  One of the pictures should communicate the emotion ANGER; the 2nd picture should communicate the emotion SERENITY.  Line should be a significant element that “expresses” the emotion to you (other elements, such as color, should be secondary).  You must also be prepared to explain why the picture expresses the emotion, using terminology from the handouts you received today.  Include both pictures in your notebooks with a written description that analyzes the use of line.

Part two: using the lines and emotions drawn in class, choose five and write a paragraph that fully analyzes each describing each line using all of the 9 aspects of line.  Include all five drawings and descriptions in your notebook.

2. Space, Shape & Form
Bring 1 color and 1 black & white photograph, art print, postcard, picture of a painting, graphic design, whatever; and be prepared to analyze the space, shape & forms in the pictures.  Do not use advertising copy as your examples.  

3. Texture
Find one color and one black and white example of texture and be prepared to analyze each in class and for your notebook.  You may use advertising copy for your examples.

4. Color
Part one: using your watercolors, design and create a color wheel that maintains the relationship of the primary, secondary and tertiary hues to each other and their complements.  You may be as creative with this project as you have time and imagination.  Mount your work on an 8.5” x 11” piece of Bristol board.  The professional appearance of your work is one of the primary considerations for your grade on this assignment.  Due Sept 10/11

Part two: find a non-realistic painting (photo of a painting) that inspires you in terms of its use of color.  Be prepared to analyze the use of value, intensity, hue, color scheme, physical and psycho-physical effects.  Include the picture in your notebook with a written analysis of the use of color.

5. Light
Find 2 photos: #1 – a color photograph that evokes the feeling of goodness or happiness, and #2 – a B & W image that suggests mystery or uneasiness.  The feelings should be implied via the use of light and shadow in your photograph.  Include both in your notebook along with a written analysis following the aspects of light and shadow discussed in class.

THE PRINCIPLES
Find one example for each principle of design (either color or black and white) in a photograph, copy of a painting, architecture, magazine, etc.  Even though your photo may be a good example for more than one principle, be selective and choose a picture that you think works best for the assigned principle.  We will discuss your images in class and each should be mounted in your notebook along with an analysis for each.




ELEMENTS OF DESIGN


ELEMENTS OF DESIGN

LINE
  • The extension of a point (mathematical definition)
  • Typically defines a shape or form
  • Via a variety of aspects and characteristics, line can express various feelings & emotions
SPACE
  • The ‘infinite’ extension of a three-dimensional field
  • The realm where shape and volume exist
  • The ‘area’ that a design can inhabit
SHAPE & FORM
  • Shape refers to two-dimensional forms created by intersecting lines
  • Form refers to the three-dimensional extension of shape, described by its mass & volume 
TEXTURE
  • Essentially a tactile characteristic, can be perceived by either touch or sight
  • Tactile texture is actually felt
  • Visual texture is seen, you get the impression of textures
COLOR
  • Encompasses both art & science
  • Color evokes strong emotional responses
  • Hue, value & intensity are the standard characteristics of color

PRINCIPLES OF DESIGN

UNITY 
  • Discusses the need to tie the various elements of a work of art together
  • A measure of how the elements within a design seem to “belong together”
  • Can be achieved by proximity and repetition
  • The principle of design in which all the separate parts work together to complete the whole
VARIETY
  • Variety gives a composition interest and vitality by changing an element (color, line, shape, etc.)
  • Too much unity can become monotonous; variety involves selectively changing an element
  • You can repeat an element or image, but alter its size/color/value/shape/etc.
BALANCE
  • Is the equal distribution of visual weight on each side of the center line of a design
  • Symmetrical – formal balance, one side is a mirrored image of the other side, more stately, formal
  • Asymmetrical – informal balance, a careful organization of a design to create an equal visual weight, more difficult but more creative
RHYTHM
  • The sense of regularity or recurrence of movement; the feeling of easy movement within a design
  • The aspect that leads our eye from one part of a design to another in an easy manner
  • Rhythm is often created through repetition of lines, shapes, colors and how they are emphasized
EMPHASIS
  • Emphasis causes one element or area of a work of art to be more important that the other parts
  • The part of the design which catches our eye and holds our attention is the “focal point”
  • Contrast, isolation, location and the “unusual” can all be used to create emphasis
PROPORTION
  • The principle that deals with the size relationship of one part to another
  • It refers to the proper or harmonious relationship of one part to another or the whole
  • Correct proportions are often used to depict realistic works; exaggerated & distorted proportions can be used to create non-realistic work and/or express moods
SCALE
  • Refers to the size relationship between an object and a standard reference (the human body)
  • The scale of an object can be defined by other elements within a design; it can be correct or exaggerated depending on the artist’s intention
  • Scale can range from minute to monumental
Extra credit will be given to anyone who includes 10 simple images to illustrate Rams' 10 principles of good design. 
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