LESSON 4: INTRODUCTION TO FORMS STRUCTURE 4.0
OBJECTIVES
4.1
INTRODUCTION
4.2
DEFINITION
4.3
FORM
4.4
BASIC GEOMETRIC SHAPES
4.5
ASSIGNMENTS 4.5.1 CLASS ASSIGNMENTS 4.5.2 HOME ASSIGNMENTS
4.6
SUMMING UP
4.7
TERMINAL QUESTIONS
4.8
REFERENCES AND SUGGESTED FURTHER READING
4.9
GLOSSARY
4.
INTRODUCTION TO FORMS
In the previous unit, you had learnt about the three visual elements, namely, Dot, Line and Shape and about their relationship with each other. You also learnt how even feelings can be depicted with their help. In this unit, we will take our learning forward and discuss how lines further contribute in making shapes, forms and motifs. We will also learn how forms and motifs become stepping-stones in the creation of artistic compositions and designs. In this lesson, you will be introduced to Forms.
4.0
Objectives After going through this lesson, you will:
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Acquire an understanding of what is shape and form.
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Gain an understanding of making a composition using basic geometric shapes.
4.1
Introduction
Starting from the basic elements of design, viz., dots and lines, we move in this lesson to forms, shapes, basic geometric shapes and compositions. Besides understanding these terms, in this lesson we will also deal with the use of geometric instruments like the compass, scale, setsquares in drawing basic forms.
4.2
Definition
Shape is a form of something produced by its outline. It indicates outline, bulk or mass. Every shape is created by a line, which starts at a point and ends at a point. The visible shape creates a positive space. The background area around it becomes the negative space that plays an important role by emphasizing the positive space (Fig. 4.1). Every positive and negative space has its own features and its own identity. The basic geometric shapes are square, rectangle, circle, oval, and triangle (Figs. 4.2, 4.3). Shapes are of different sizes. All the shapes can be used to develop decorative motifs. Each shape conveys a meaning as they communicate and convey feelings, thoughts and emotions. Nature is an inspiration for design development.
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Rectangle
Square
Circle
Fig. 4.1 Positive space and Negative space
Rhombus
Triangle
Oval
Fig. 4.2
Fig. 4.3
Basic Geometrical shapes
4.3
Form
Any shape with a volume and depth can be defined as form. All forms, natural as well as man-made, are made from basic geometric structures, such as cube, pyramid, cone, cylinder and sphere (Figs. 4.4, 4.5, & 4.6).
Cylinder Cube
Cone
Pyramid
Fig. 4.4
Fig. 4.6
Fig. 4.5
Basic geometrical forms
Activity 1. Draw basic geometrical forms on a chart paper, colour and label them.
4.4
Basic geometric shapes
The basic geometric shapes are square, rectangle, circle, and triangle. They form the foundation of a motif. Every geometric form conveys a meaning when it is part of a composition, within a given format. This also means that when the geometric form interacts with the background space within a given format, a composition is created. This composition could very interestingly convey a meaning (Figs. 4.7, 4.8, 4.9, & 4.10).
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Fig. 4.7
Fig. 4.8
Fig. 4.9
Fig. 4.10
Activity 2. Make a composition using basic geometrical shapes.
4.5
Assignments
4.5.1 Class assignments i) Take a white sheet of paper of 8.3”x 11.7” (A4 size) and draw an 8”x8” square. Paste cut-out of circles, triangles and squares of various sizes (only using black paper) to create a composition depicting a feeling or a word (e.g. dynamic (Fig 4.11, relaxed (4.12)
Fig. 4.11 A composition depicting the word Dynamic
Fig. 4.12 A composition depicting word Relaxed
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Composition 1: Draw a composition depicting Growth and Movement with the help of triangles and circles.
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Composition 2: Draw a composition depicting Revolution with the help of triangles and circles.
Note: The triangles seem to be randomly moving in the clockwise direction with the circle as their center. 4.5.2 Home assignments i) Using a cut-out of any one kind of geometric shape of various sizes, create two compositions depicting a feeling or a word such as balance, excitement, celebration. 4
4.6
Summing Up
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We have learnt about form, shape, basic geometric compositions.
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Form: When any shape has volume and depth, it can be described as form. All forms, natural as well as man-made, are made from basic geometric structures.
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Shape: It is a form of something produced by its outline. It indicates, outline and bulk / mass.
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Basic geometric shapes: They are square, rectangle, circle, and triangle. They are the basic shapes that make the foundation of a motif.
4.7
shapes and
Terminal Questions
1. What is meant by ‘Form’? 2. Define ‘Shape’. 3. Name the basic geometric shapes with the help of sketches. 4. What do you understand by Positive Space? 5. What do you understand by Negative Space? 6. Draw examples of Positive Space. 7. Draw examples of Negative Space. 8. When the geometric form interacts with the background space within a given format – (Choose the correct answer) a. A composition is created c. A feeling is created
4.8
b. A motif is created d. A painting is created
References and Suggested Further Reading
1. Betala, R. 2005. Design Comprehension and Visualization. Aan Books, New Delhi. 2. Yates, M. 1998. Textile: A Hand book for designers. W.W. Norton & Co., New York.
4.9
Glossary
1.
Cube:
An object having six equal square faces.
2.
Pyramid:
A solid figure with a square or triangular base and sloping sides that meet at the top.
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3.
Cone:
An object, which tapers from a circular base to a point.
4.
Cylinder:
An object with straight parallel sides and circular ends.
5.
Sphere:
A three-dimensional surface, all points of which are equidistant from a fixed point.
6.
Space:
Unoccupied ground or an area of this.
7.
Natural form:
Produced by nature and not by humans.
8.
Manmade form:
Forms made by humans.
9.
Composition:
A thing made from various elements or the way in which something is made up.
10. Interact:
Act with another person, thing or medium.
11. Format:
The way something is arranged.
12. Bulk:
A large mass
13. Mass:
A body of matter with no definite shape
14. Depth:
The distance from top or surface down or from front to back.
15. Volume:
The amount of space occupied by something
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