COLOR & DESIGN                                                         1 DAY PROJECT                                         C. Wilson

Geometric Shape: A shape created according to mathematical laws, such as a square, etc.

Symmetrical Balance:  Formal placement of identical figures on either side of an imaginary central line; also called “formal balance.”

Asymmetrical Balance: The use of figures of different visual weights to create an overall impression of balance; sometimes called “informal balance.”

Design:  To choose and arrange elements in such a way that they satisfy an artistic and/or functional intention.

Objectives:            To gain experience in organization of shapes/space.

                        To design using exclusively geometric shapes.

                        To experiment with color harmonies.

Materials:            10” x 13” cold press board (or mat board)

All-purpose paper

                        2B pencil, colored pencils

                        Acrylic paints, brushes

                        Ruler, masking tape

                        Geometric shapes packet (contains 4 large squares-4”x4”, 8 rectangles-4”x1” and

                                                                        12 small squares-1”x1”)

Procedure:            Each student is to select a specific three-color harmony and color the 3 different

geometric shapes from their packet accordingly . (*See color harmony handout) 

For example, the large squares could be colored blue, the rectangles red and the

small squares yellow which would make a Primary Color Triad.

You will be using these geometric shapes to create an interesting composition.  The

first step is to decide how many of each shape you want to use. You may use ALL of

the shapes in your packet if you wish, but fewer shapes may be easier to organize.

You must use a minimum of 2 large squares, 4 rectangles and 6 small squares,

or their equivalent.  For example, you could trade a large square for 4 of the

rectangles.

                        After selecting the number of shapes you want and coloring them, try organizing

                        your colored squares and rectangles into interesting compositions.  Each time you

design a composition you like make a simple sketch of that design on your all-

purpose paper. Your preliminary sketches are considered part of the project and

must be turned in.  After sketching out 15 – 20 compositions, select the best one and

enlarge it to fit your 10” x 13” board.  You may apply color using colored pencil or with

acrylic paints.

Things to consider:

            Have you tried both vertical and horizontal designs?

            What sort of balance does your composition use?

            How have you directed the viewer’s eye through your composition?

            How have you distributed color throughout the composition?

            Do you have the minimum number of shapes in your composition?