Dot Line

Objective: Create a strong abstract composition only using dots and lines. The design should capture and communicate a specific emotion. This project also introduced the principles of gestalt, such as figure and ground, continuation, and proximity.

The dot line project relates to gestalt because we see “the whole” before we distinguish the individual components of the composition. By manipulating components like the figure and ground, using patterns of similarity and anomaly, proximity, etc. of the dots and lines, you create a whole picture depicting a single word. You pay attention to the overall image first and then go back to the individual components that make a design fit the description.

It is not difficult for me to make a “well-crafted object” because I enjoy paying attention to detail, and it makes all the difference between a good piece and a great final project. I would rather spend the extra time getting the small details right because it pays off when you turn in the final project. I always think my work reflects my effort and creative ability, so I want to cover all the little details. Working with the small paper and glue was frustrating at times, but having clean edges and tidy work made me feel accomplished and “professional”.

This project changed my idea of abstraction and challenged me to think about what others would see in my composition more so than what I preferred for a design. There were endless ways of capturing a word, and this project showed that everyone approaches it differently. It left a lot of freedom to create a piece but was difficult to capture a feeling with just dots and lines.

It was difficult to represent ideas without illustrating them, because everyone has their own ways of interpreting words. I would say the hardest word for me to capture without illustrating it was “comfort”. Right away my mind goes to images of a home or mother and child, so I ended up using different sizes of circles to get a feel for that without being too obvious. Some people matched my thinking while others did not, playing on the abstraction part of this project.

This exercise will help me create designs and other projects that are not only appealing to me but also make sense to my “clients” or peers. Practicing and incorporating ideas of gestalt and abstraction makes a piece better and more unique compared to just flying with your first idea. It makes you go back and make your composition more interesting,