Design Notes

Chapter 4: Scale/Proportion

Scale vs. Proportion

1.) Scale = size

2.) Proportion= relative size, the size of an object as measured in comparison to another

object or against some mental norm or standard

3.) (The term proportion is often used with math and ratios.)

Using Scale and Proportion for Emphasis

1.) large scale can make for a very obvious focal point, or create visual emphasis.

2.) Scale and proportion are closely tired to emphasis and focal point.

Hieratic Scaling = in art history, visual scale (how big something is in a painting) was often

directly related to the importance of the object.

Scale of Art

Human Scale Reference

“one way to think of artistic scale is to consider the scale of the work itself, it’s a size in relation

to other art, in relation to its surroundings, or in relation to human size”

The power of unusual scale

Large artworks
Small artworks

1.) Very small artworks impress with their with their attention to detail

2.) An immensity of information on an intimate scale

Changes in scale within a design also change the total effect

Earthworks= moving or altering earth to create an image over large areas

1.) They are unique in the grandeur of their scale.

2.) Can be experienced fully from high uo or distance.

3.) Also see the work of Andrew Goldsworthy

What would happen if we magnified simple objects to provide a new way of looking at them.

How do artists consider the location?

1.) Where will it be displayed?

2.) How would they use size in proportion to setting?

3.) What is the natural landscape like?

Scale within art

Internal references

“scale within a work of art provides meaning, context, and often a clue to how it was made or

how we are meant to interpret the image or object”

is it bigger than I am?

Is i
INTERNAL PROPORTIONS

YOU CAN ALSO CONSIDER THE SCALE OF OBJECTS IN RELATION TO ANOTHER INSIDE THE

COMPOSITION

REGULAR PLACEMEMNT AND GEOMENTRIC REPEARING ELEMMENTS GIVE A FEEL OF CALM

AND QUIET ORDER

WHEN THINGS ARE OUT OF PROPORTION IT FEELS NEGATIVE

Notions of the ideal

Proportion is linked to ratio

The average adult is seven and a half heads tall

Ancient greeks desired to discover ideal proportions based on mathematical ratios

Fashion illustration used a ten heads

Golden rectangle- width is to length as length is to length plus width influenced art throughout

the ages

Found in natural growth patterns trees shells etc

Use by the greeks in the building of the Parthenon

3:5 ratio