2D Design: Project 1 + 2

Our first assignment was to create a dynamic asymmetrical design using just black and white.  Each design had to use 4 squares, 4 circles, and 4 triangles.  We were to make 4 sketches and then choose the best one to perfect.  I didn't spend very much time coming up with these.  I tend to find that if I just keep drawing, even if what I'm drawing is crap, I will eventually come up with a good design.

I felt like the last one was a pretty good example of asymmetrical balance and was dynamic.  In the sketch I left out 2 triangles accidentally but I added them later in the final design.

Not bad for simple shapes, right?

The next project was a figure/ground reversal exercise.  We had to create shapes on top of the our design and then play with black, white, and grey to make implied lines that continued on no matter what color was used.  I quickly came up with the idea to use a grid and then block out sections while I was in class.

When I got home I realized that some of the shapes looked like they came from Tetris so I thought it would be a good idea to use the computer to play with the shapes.  I ended up coming up with this one first:

The whole purpose of this assignment was not only to make a good design using figure/ground reversal, but in the end we would have to cut the pieces out by hand from construction paper and paste them on our Bristol boards.  Clearly this design was way too complicated.  I think the amount of shapes takes away from the overall design anyway, so I simplified it for the final draft.

Then I took it to class, cut out all the tiny pieces and glued it all together.

Having a digitally rendered map of what I was doing really helped me on this project.  Overall I'm happy with the design.  My instructor really liked it as well.