Foundations of Design : REPRESENTATION, SEM1, 2018 M2 JOURNAL - FLATNESS vs PROJECTION Je Tan
915959 Naomi Ng Studio 2
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WEEK 3 READING: LEGER, LE CORBUSIER, AND PURISM
Question 1: What is Pictorial Space according to Le Corbusier? (Maximum 100 words) According to Le Corbusier, pictorial space is space viewed from a distance and thus cannot be entered. Viewing objects from a distance ultimately resullts in their frontality. The combination of frontality and distance is what allows for depth to become discernible. Therefore, objects rendered in pictorial space are always represented through their frontality which results in their intangibility.
Question 2: The Flatness of Le Corbusier’s painting’s are attributable to two properties. What are they? And what are these pitted against?(Maximum 100 words) Le Corbusier’s paintings convey flatness through the use of shape. Objects in the paintings are rendered in such a way as to ensure the scene’s frontality is never broken, using crisp lines and a continuation of form. The omission of black in Le Corbusier’s work is a counter to depth. By contrasting black with lighter tones, depth and texture are implied through shadow. Against this, he pits the knowledge of space one experiences as a means of rotation through it. Flatness and frontality serve as a counterpoint to rotation, resulting in the contrast of inference and experience.
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MARIO’S WORLD
World 1 (Projected behind).
World 2 (Projected in front).
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1ST MARIO’S WORLD
World 1 projected in axonometric. Dashed lines represent obstruction from World 2. Rendered in 0.1 fine liner and 2B pencil.
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World 2 projected in axonometric. Rendered in 0.1 fine liner and 2B pencil.
COMBINED MARIO’S WORLD
Combined base Mario worlds. Rendered in 0.1 fine liner and 2B pencil.
Combined base Mario world with design elements extending through the x-axis. Base world and extensions independently scanned and stitched together using Adobe Photoshop.
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WEEK 4 READING: AXONOMETRIC PROJECTION: NEW GEOMETRIES AND OLD ORIGINS Question 1: Explain the difference between Pictoral (in this case perspectival) space and Projection? (Maximum 100 words) Pictorial space utilises converging lines which extend to a fixed vanishing point. As a result, pictorial spaces are only viewable from a singular point, where the eye can ascertain a correct perspective. Objects in this space are distorted along an axis in order to represent a singuluar perspective. Projection lacks a vanishing point and therefore allows objects to extend infinitely in their depth and foreground without distortion. This creates a space which is impossible to physically view, yet capable of transmitting measureable information.
Question 2: Where did Axonometric projection first arise, and why? (Maximum 100 words) Axonometric projection’s ability to convey measurable distances through a lack of distortion made it useful to chart the three-dimensional trajectory of projectiles in a military context. While stemming from this ancient practice, it had been adapted for use in technical practices during the industrialisation of the 18th and 19th century. The avantgarde art movement in the early 20th century further developed axonometric projection, using its capability to show abstract information in order to construct worlds free from the confines of pictorial space.
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ILLUSTRATED MARIO’S NEW WORLD
The projection was designed to represent a ‘slice’ of a larger world, lifted out of the ground and viewed axonometrically. The exploration of the world in its z and x axes were designed with consideration as to not interfere with the established elevation views of the original worlds. Shapes in the world have been drawn geometrically as to enchance the abstract information conveyed in the axonomtectric projection. Elements from the vertical extensions integrate with those from the original world to create a consistent visual style. Employment of a light and unobtrusive colour palette serves to reinforce the geometry of the design. Blocky colours and sharp lines enhance the effect of shading on depth, while a flat background makes this effect more prominent.
Illustrated Mario world.
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APPENDIX
Pre-projection sketch showing key elements and vertical extension.
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Completed projection of world 1.
Completed projection of world 2.
Process of adding digital linework to drawing through Adobe Illustrator.
Trace overlay of combined worlds.
Vertical extensions added to base world.
Unused axonometric background.
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