Basic Design II   "At Home With Flowers"

Illuminary Designs     class notes, page 3
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How Illumination impacts the

Elements of Design

Principles of Design
Balance
Rhythm
Dominance
Contrast
Proportion
Scale

Elements of Design
Line
Color
Light
Texture
Pattern
Form
Size
Space

 

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LINE The basic line of the design should be decided on paper before acquiring lights. They can make a design exciting by following a diagonal line, or restful and calm if placed on a horizontal. Curves make viewers smile and be happy.
COLOR Evaluate if light has increased or decreased the color. Has it dramatized one area over another? Has light enhanced the background chosen?
LIGHT The lighting should enhance, not dominate, the design.
TEXTURE Some panels, backlit, have wonderful texture and add to the overall beauty of the design. Some lights are immersible now and placing them underwater can add luminescence. Lights can be placed inside tubes lined with optic cellophane.  Fiber optics add extra texture to designs.
PATTERN Are open areas of pattern proportionate with lighted areas? What patterns (shapes) are created by light and shadow?
FORM Lights within a closed form can be exciting.  Clear tubes can be lined with colored cellophane and lights placed inside. Lights shining out of holes in shapes, or shapes rotating with light emanating from within can add some zing.
SIZE Light can impact how we perceive size of objects, with well lit objects appearing to be larger, and dimly lit objects smaller.
SPACE Open space adds a needed rest for the eyes, as lighted areas appear dominant.  Lighted areas can appear to be up front, defeating depth in the design. Contrasting elements are needed with bold expression to juxtapose with the lights. 
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