Sizzilin' Shapes and Emphasis

Read "Launching the Imagination" (Shape: pages 10-22; Emphasis pages 84-86). Then start a new post in this forum with your name in the title and discuss the following questions:

1. Why is it important to design the positive and the negative shapes of a composition?
2. What is the difference between representational shapes and abstract shapes?
3. What are some of the ways emphasis can be achieved?
4. What kind of subjects attracts attention?
5. What happens when there are too many focal points?
6. Why is emphasis important, especially for graphic designers?
7. Which is more important: a strong focal point or unity?

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SHAPE SHAPE SEVERUS  SHAPE.... DUMBLEDORE! ( inspired by: Harry Potter Puppet Pals)

1.) It is important to design the positive and the negative shapes of a composition because both elements affect and impact the importance of the other. They both balance each other out and make the design whole.
2.) Representational shapes are representations of what is recognizable to the human eye. Abstract shapes, on the other hand, are shapes that are nothing recognizable to the human eye. They shapes are free, nothing real.
3.) Emphasis can be achieved through space, line, placement, or even color. Also through isolation and contrast.
4.) Subjects that are emphasized, colorful, bold are the ones that attract the most attentioni. Even simple art attracts the viewer because it's sweet to the point and doesn't have a lot to look at.
5.) When there are too many focal points, the focus of the artwork becomes unclear. The piece becomes hard to understand, even chaotic.
6.) Emphasis is important-- especially for graphic designers-- because to every piece they make there is a point. Emphasis helps make that point clear the viewing eye. Without emphasis, the public may not get what the artist is trying to convey.
7.) They are both important... you need both to make a piece worthwhile.