I would like to address the many comments that were raised on our previous post for ‘Emphasis & Focal Point in Design.’ Currently, there has been a lot of discussion amongst designers, photographers, and artists alike in regards to the ‘amateur boom.’ Today’s web technology combined with pre-fabricated plug-in driven software has turned our business into penny profits. Regardless of all this technology, I do believe as professionals we will always win this battle. While many prospects do not understand the importance of great design work – we as a company can only do so much to change the point of view.

However, large organizations and those with industry experience understand true creative work. Billboards, and TV ads surround us where the creative work is at its best. Organizations are pumping billions of dollars into our industry to make their brands stand out.

If you are outraged about this ‘amateur boom’ I say that you be thankful. It is yet another way for you to show off ‘your competitive advantage.’ But, before I end this post let me also say that I am in no way against new and emerging talent. Sometimes in order to get your feet wet you must start with simple software and work your way up. In fact, I believe that new talent is what creates new design trends. Everyone has the right to express their creativity, and many companies such as Adobe empower artists who are seasoned and novices. I find nothing wrong with that other then we have more people to find inspiration from. After all like many of you, I too was new and emerging talent at one point. ☺

Maxwell is definitely quite the wise man. As far as education is concerned, everyone has the experience of that one teacher that pushed them to their highest potential. I can attest to that and believe that it is true. Sometimes we get so caught up with life that we forget our own true potential for success.

A company that invests time to train and motivate their employees truly succeeds in today’s market. It is almost a sense of entrepreneurial training so that your employees can take ownership of their responsibilities. What I believe is that if companies continue to innovate and empower their employees then everyone will benefit.

Those who are fortunate to have a great mentor in their career are going to find that they will have someone to really standby and help them to succeed. I have been one of those few fortunate individuals, not to say that it is not impossible you just have to make sure to find the right one for you. It sounds cliché but you will have varying degrees of mentor’s in your life.

I hope that all of today’s many large corporations embrace mentoring to the degree of motivating employees to his/her highest potential without any bureaucracy or pre-conceived notions. I only can push for such a program because it works. If we give people a chance you would be surprised how far they can really reach their goals.

Hatel Bhakta | Mood: Aspiring to make a difference

The clock strikes 3:00 and a 10 year old boy runs quickly to the park. He shuffles up the ladder and down the slide, back up the ladder and down the fireman’s pole. He stops and glances at the monkey bars. He wonders to himself, “Can I make it across?”

He approaches and looks at sixteen metal poles stretching across the park. His breath becomes slow and dry. He lifts his body in position and makes his first leap while his hands twist and burn on the metal bar. He moves for the next bar only to find that he had lost his grip. Down he goes into the sand. The boy finds his mother glancing at him. She smiles at her son and nods her head. The boy tries again. The second attempt he made it farther but fell midway. “Surely I can make it farther on my third try” thinks the boy. He makes his final attempt by leaping again and falls off the first bar again. The boy becomes angry and runs towards his mother. He feels like a failure for not making any progress on the monkey bar.

The mother sits the boy down next to her. She said “You can do anything you have ever dreamed of doing whether it is small or large. You can try again tomorrow but don’t ever give up. You must always work hard if you wish to make it across. You must not be upset with yourself when you fail. Failing sometimes is the only way to succeed. I believe in you.”

Based on a true story.

Mitesh Solanki | Mood: Believing in my business partner Hatel…

Before we begin here is a quick overview of what has been covered in this series and what we will be covering in the coming weeks so that you may reference any previous post.

• The Design Process
• Unity in Design
• Emphasis and Focal Point in Design
• Scale and Proportion in Design(This Post)
• Balance in Design
• Rhythm in Design

Scale and Proportion are terms that refer to size. We reference size by describing something as ‘big’ or ‘small’ or also known as ‘large scale’ and ‘small scale’. I am sure that you have heard someone strike up a conversation by proclaiming, “That house is so big!“ By definition what is big? Scale and Proportion is relative to other elements around it. Therefore, that house can be ‘large scale’ in comparison to an average-sized house.

Proportion

Proportion refers to relative size that is measured against other elements or against some mental norm or standard. As designers we must consider the size and scale of elements within a design or pattern. To say an element is ‘out of proportion’ within a composition can evoke a negative emotion. However, it is possible that this reaction is precisely what the artist desires. Let’s take a look at the example below.

In this example, we see three of the same shapes applied differently within their respective compositions. All three reflect a different use of proportion, creating different visual denotations. The image in the far left denotes movement towards the top left corner. The second image (in the center) reflects greater meaning within the square. The visual relationship of the triangle creating an arrow allows the box to have great importance. The last image (on the far right) visually engages the viewer to maintain focus on the left side, which brings out the importance of the arrow.

Scale

In this image the proportion of the model’s hand is equivalent to the proportion of her face. Neither the hand nor face is drastically larger than the other. Welcome to the concept of scale. Scale is defined as the usage of proportion through the context of what the designer believes will attract attention.

Scale can also be achieved through exaggeration. For example, you would increase the size of an object that would otherwise be small or you can create the visual of a small object that would otherwise be considered large.

We know that in nature most tree trunks are large. In the image above, the tree trunks appear to be small, which places focus on the rock. In this instance the trees are considered small-scale by acknowledging the ‘norm’ size.

In this scenario the viewer is introduced to three elements that have commonality. The viewer understands that a slice of lime is not half the size of the martini glass. The lime and ice are substantially larger in scale then the martini glass – denoting a different visual effect also known as large-scale.

By utilizing scale and proportion within your designs you can evoke a emotional response. Lets take a look at a couple more examples with the use of typography. My college professor used to always say that ‘type is art’ – so I decided to use that phrase in the examples below.

Please leave your comments on both of these solutions on why they both are great examples of scale and proportion. Feel free to use terms from the other posts within this series. I will of course, post the most viable comments along with my own. Of, course. ☺

Tune in next week when we discuss Balance In Design.

Have you noticed that the most successful people are usually the ones that accomplish great things but do not boast their own ego’s. True story. The true leaders are the one’s that provide an example and are not afraid of pleasing the masses. Those individuals are the ones that are ahead of the times, and believe in what is going to be best for the long-term goal. This is not applicable to just business leaders, but it relates to every industry.

It is not to say that we should just ignore those who have made great strides in the industry, or in your own workplace. That would be rather extreme if you ask me. Most of my colleagues and network are individuals who work really hard but are also down-to-earth and believe that if you are going to do something than do it without expectations. It is true, have no expectations and you will not be led to disappointment.

What I am trying to get at is that you will meet some people who are just simply the best at “everything.” Take notice they don’t really ask for attention they just make sure that they accomplish their goals at near perfection and strive for better. It is really humbling and a mark of something great when you receive notice from others in your own network. That means you are doing something right.

So next time you set out to work on a project, or volunteer your time to help someone else don’t forget it is better to let your work speak for itself. Don’t you worry people will take notice. After all, the greatest inventors of our time did not make it overnight, it was due to perseverance, faith, and creative intelligence.

Hatel Bhakta | Mood: Reflective

Stop for a moment and try to place yourself out of your life and out of this world. Imagine the planet from space. You see a vast ocean and terrain covered by clouds. Just stop and take a deep breathe as you absorb this amazing view. It is amazing, isn’t it? Now slowly pan back into the planet but try to stay away from your own life. Really I mean it, stay away. Just imagine yourself slowly gliding through the clouds and occasionally trying to stop yourself to sleep within them. If you are great at visualizing, I bet it’s a awesome feeling. As you clear those clouds you see mountains of beauty covered in trees and perfectly placed rocks of orange and yellow. Imagine viewing the world as it is, without any bias or misconception from your previous experiences. Do you not see yourself surrounded by beauty at its best?

You are now approaching a river bed. You glide with the stream of water as the ripples ever so lightly mist upon your face. The river bed ends and you approach civilization. You start seeing cars, buildings, homes, and interstate highways. You get a little closer and see people in distress and in a rush to get to places. They effortlessly ignore the wilderness around them and ignore the people who love them because they are after the pursuit of monetary gain. You wonder to yourself where did the beauty go? You finally reach your destination and you are back into your so-called life. You start to think to yourself, how much of my life is surrounded by beauty? How many of my friends, family, and acquaintances bring this beauty into my life? How many will stop their pursuit of monetary gain when I am distressed?

Greatness isn’t a commodity to say the least, but it is beauty of a human at its best. Find those who bring beauty within your life and you will find happiness within your challenges. It is rare, but not impossible. The only thing you have to do is find beauty and give it back just as if you are the cloud for your friend. Leave your life misconceptions behind for today. The world brings you opportunities like the river bed that only you can find. For today you have another chance to surround yourself around greatness, as if you were climbing the rocks and walking past the trees. Why would you want to spend it any other way? The sunset is the time to know that no hour today was wasted but, that you sought a level of greatness as you climb the rocks towards personal growth.

Mitesh Solanki | Mood: Inspired

In 1827, Joseph Nicephore Niepce created the first photographic image. Thereafter, pictures were rare, so if an artist created an image it was guaranteed to grab anyone’s attention. Today it is quiet different, we have mass media, and tools that allow every household the ability to own a camera and create what is deemed as individual art. The downside is that the artistry has also lost its touch. Let’s be honest, anyone can pick up a camera - shoot a lot of pictures and find some luck. The playing field has changed it is far more difficult for a designer to get noticed today. That is why understanding the principles on ‘Emphasis and Focal Point’ is one of the key ingredients in creating a captivating image that will engage and communicate your message effectively.

Here is a quick overview of what has been covered in this series and what we will be covering in the coming weeks.

• The Design Process
• Unity in Design
• Emphasis and Focal Point in Design(This Post)
• Scale and Proportion in Design
• Balance in Design
• Rhythm in Design

As a designer you must strategically find a creative process that will allow you to simultaneously create a composition. When you are going through the process of creating structure for your composition, it is really imperative to evaluate your focal point. In other words, the primary purpose is to emphasize an element that will attract attention while engaging the viewer to take a closer look. There are three ways to achieve this type of emphasis:

1. Contrast
2. Isolation
3. Placement

We will be evaluating these concepts above to give you a better understanding of what we are talking about.

Emphasis by Contrast

The easiest way to understand emphasis through contrast is when one element differs from another. Often you will find an interruption of the overall feeling of a pattern. For example, imagine elements in the background that are dark, while in the foreground there is a use of a light object – this is a focal point. Another approach is when elements are muted and soft-edged it is combined with bold contrasting patterns that results in a focal point. Let’s take a look at an example below.

Notice in this image how we use contrast to keep the eyes in the center of the image. The blue background combined with the blue rivets helps the white icons, for lack of a better term, stand out and keep the image interesting – even though they are tiny pieces of plastic. We have just created a focal point by utilizing a dark and light icon (contrast) in the foreground.

Couple More Examples

Emphasis by Isolation

This technique is rather simple. By isolating an element in an image it creates an attraction that meets the eye. Here is an example to help you better understand this powerful technique.

By placing the red rivet farther away from the four blue rivets we create another focal point. To the viewer it creates an abstract image and allows for the person who is viewing the image to form a certain train of thought. This type of image lures the viewer to understand that there is something unique about the rivet that stands alone.

Another Example Of Isolation

Emphasis By Placement

A focal point can easily be created by the use of a technique addressed in the previous post, ‘Continuation.’ If elements within a composition point to one item, our attention is directed to that item which results in a focal point.

Here is an example to address this placement technique.

The leading lines of the blue rivets moving upwards helps the eye to focus on the red rivet. Our eye continuously lures towards the red – no matter how many times you may try to look away.

Another Example Of Emphasis Through Placment

There you have it, three ways to create emphasis in design. Next week we will cover Scale and Proportion.

- Have a great rest of the weekend! Happy Designing!!