by Raven Cabaniss
Ideograph An ideograph is a picture that portrays a message to the viewer. They are powerful because they can transcend language barriers. It can also have more than one meaning depending on its use. In the past it was more frequently used because of the lack of alphabet. The modern uses of ideograms are often shown in street signs and labels.
Hieratic Scale A hieratic scale is when the most important figure is shown larger and higher above all others in the scene. The contrast between the smaller images and the larger images allows the viewer to recognize who they should pay the most attention to. Today we can still find examples of this scale in many different images and type. One of my favorite modern examples of the hieratic scale can be found in propaganda.
Mural of Saddam Hussein, Unknown Artist
Doric Column A doric column is one of three types of classic Greek columns. It is characterized by having a smooth capital with no base. Greek columns like this can be found in many different types of modern architecture. The most common buildings with Doric columns are government and business buildings.
Temple of Athena, Syracuse Cathedral
Temple of Poseidon, Sounion
Egyptians Egyptian art most often surrounded their god-like kings and the afterlife. They made great advancements to written communication including the hieroglyphics system. The Egyptians also had a distinct style of architecture which included the pyramids. These massive awe inspiring structures are just one example of the timeless stability of Egyptian art.
Userhat Adoring Deities of the West, Tomb of Userhat, 1294-1279 bc
Nakht and Family Fishing and Fowling, Tomb of Nakht, 14001390 bc
Greek [Geometric] The Greek Geometric period was from 1100-700 BCE. The name of the period comes from the fact that geometric designs were the most popular. The best examples of this can be found on funerary vases, which had small bands of different simple shapes wrapping around them.
Naval combat scene, detail from a large funerary krater, second half of the 8th century BCE
Geometric Style “Oinochoe�, 750-725 BCE
Rebus A rebus is a way of communication that uses several images and symbols to express a larger word or sentence. In ancient Egypt, scribes had to use a rebus to clarify words that were too difficult to convey with one hieroglyphic.
Who Buys This Round Take Me Out To The Ball Game Sliding Into Home Don’t Speak To Strangers
Hey Joe, Check Out The Rack On That One Environment Appalachian Mountains Money Don’t Come Easy
Ampersand The ampersand is a logogram that represents the word “and”. This symbol is a combination of the letters ‘e’ and ‘t’, which means “and” in Latin. An ampersand can be used in numerous ways. This is including sentences, announcements, and titles. It is often portrayed in different ways depending on the font.
&& &
Drop Cap A drop cap is a large capital letter at the beginning of a passage and is a decorative aspect of the text. It is meant to pull in the viewer’s eye to the most important part of the page. It can be large enough to drop down several lines into the paragraph. The drop cap can be found in many different texts throughout time. Illuminated manuscripts are the most recognizable in terms of highly decorated drop cap letters. In modern times, they can most often be found in books.
Winchester Psalter
The Stockholm Codex Aureus, 750 CE
The Abingdon Apocalupse, 1270-75 CE
Interlaces Interlaces are a type of decorative design that mimics looped and braided cloth. The design is intertwined and knotted in complex ways and it is most often associated with Celtic patterns. Interlaces can also be found in contemporary Celtic art mediums.
Bowl, 12th Century
Calligraphy Calligraphy is a form of writing that combines art with function by using pictograms. It has been used by many different cultures including the Chinese, Arabic, and Indian. Calligraphy is still very popular today and has transformed into a great art form.
Islamic Calligraphy
An elderly calligrapher writes down his customer’s wishes for the Chinese New Year
TradeMark A trademark is a specific graphic symbol that signifies that the product was created by a certain entity. No trademark should be exactly the same, or it would not be effective. Its purpose is to be discernibly different so that it cannot be confused with another product. Trademarks have evolved beyond simple symbols and images of the past. Certain colors, shapes, and even sounds can be trademarked today.
Ancient example of a trademark
Modern day registered trademark
Typanum A tympanum is the semi-circular or triangular space over an archway. This space is often filled with decorations. The most common tympanums can be found over the doorways of churches. The most common theme for these decorative spaces are scenes from the Bible.
Ascension, Luca della Robbia, 1446 CE
MesoAmerican The MesoAmerican culture was divided into strict class systems. The Mayans and the Olmecs are the two most recognizable groups from this time period. One of the most memorable aspects of this culture was the ritual ball game. These games were extremely important for political and religious reasons. Another important part of the MesoAmerican culture was the large ceremonial buildings and complex calendars.
Ball Player, 7th or 8th Century
Incense Burner, 500-600 CE
Ball player effigy ocarina, 650-850 CE
Gothic The Gothic style first began with architecture, but it can also be applied to other artistic mediums. This style is characterized by its over the top dimensions and pointed arches. Flying buttresses and stained glass windows were also popular examples of the Gothic style of architecture. The grand and excess nature of this style was meant to help churches portray a glorified version of God.
Each house shows the way the Gothic style has had its influence on modern architecture
Pointed Arch The pointed arch was a prominent design in the Romanesque and Gothic periods. The origin of these arches comes from Islamic culture, and is more stable in nature than its round counterparts. Some modern structures, like homes and schools, have had influences by the Gothic style pointed arch.
A modern example of pointed arches, First Presbyterian Church in Oklahoma City
Burgos Cathedral, Master Enrique; Juan PĂŠrez; spires by Juan de Colonia, 1221-60
Rose Window A rose window is a round window that is composed of stained glass. These types of windows are named for their resemblance to the complexity and beauty of roses.
Daniel Buren, The Rose Window, 2000
Frantisek Kysela, St. Vitus Cathedral, 1926
Broadside A broadside is a single piece of paper with information printed on one of its sides. They were used in a variety of ways, and were most often meant to be temporary. These sheets were posted as news, social events, ads, and proclamations. Broadsides have had influence on the creation of posters, as well as modern day advertisements.
Unknown, 1620
Alphonse Mucha, 1904
Fleuron A fleuron is an Italian typographic element that is used for decoration made in 1478. Fleurons can usually be found alongside printed material. In the past, they were cast like letters and used with the printing press. They often represent flowers or leaves, and are still widely used today.
Chiaroscuro Chiaroscuro is a term used for high contrasting shades of light and dark in an image. This enhances the drama of the scene and brings out certain details. Most chiaroscuro paintings have a focal point that seems to have a light shining upon it. At the same time, the background is intentionally kept dark. Caravaggio, Correggio, and Rembrandt are the most well known masters of this style.
Giovanni Battista Tiepolo, Virgin and Child, 1720-1725
Renaissance The Renaissance was a period of time that encouraged interest in the humanities and education. It was a cultural movement that was largely influenced by the social and political developments. In terms of art, linear perspective and a more realistic style of painting and sculpture was explored. Leonardo Da Vinci was the perfect example of the “Renaissance Man” because he excelled in both science and art.
Da Vinci’s notes
Works Cited Lovett, Patricia. Calligraphy & illumination: a history and practical guide. New York: Harry N. Abrams, 2000. Print. Pages 152, 155, and 198 Montgomery, Gladys. Storybook cottages: America’s Carpenter Gothic style. New York: Rizzoli :, 2011. Print. Pages 63, 124, 141, & 142 “Naval combat scene, detail from a large funerary krater.” Artstor Library. N.p., n.d. Web. Ni, Yibin. Symbols, art, and language from the land of the dragon: the cultural history of 100 Chinese characters. London: Duncan Baird Publishers ;, 2009. Print. Pages 17, 79, & 172 Skinulis, Richard, and Peter Christopher. Architectural inspiration: styles, details & sources. Erin, Ont.: Boston Mills Press, 2007. Print. Page 312 Spawforth, Antony. The complete Greek temples. London: Thames & Hudson, 2006. Print. Pages 3 and 123
A Brief Guide of Design Terms by Raven Cabaniss