Exploration of Symmetry and Repetition

An Exploration of Repetition & Symmetry : 

An Exploration of Repetition & Symmetry By: Krisah Gayle Pascua CSCI 1041, Professor Artigas

Slide 2: 

Repetition & Symmetry contribute to aesthetics. So, what is aesthetics?

Aesthetics : 

Aesthetics The first thing that pops into people’s minds when hearing the word aesthetics is usually beauty…

Aesthetics : 

Aesthetics …Thus, when it comes to visuals, aesthetics is commonly defined as the awareness of beauty.

Aesthetics : 

Aesthetics …Thus, in visuals, aesthetics is commonly defined as the awareness of beauty. But it can also refer to anything that elevates one’s awareness.

Aesthetics : 

Aesthetics For instance, consider this painting by a 19th century artist, Gustave Courbet. http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Gustave_Courbet_014.jpg

Aesthetics : 

Aesthetics The painting falls under aesthetic art because the content elevates the viewer’s awareness of the work of peasants during the artist’s time. http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Gustave_Courbet_014.jpg

Slide 8: 

Aesthetic visuals are created by using certain principles of design...

Principles of Design : 

Principles of Design Principles of Design refers to the standard characteristics of artworks that effectively help us interpret the connotation (message, meaning, feeling, etc.) of an artwork. There are 7 principles…

Principles of Design : 

Unity and Variety Balance Emphasis and Subordination Directional Forces Contrast Scale and Proportion Repetition and Rhythm Principles of Design

Slide 11: 

What about Symmetry, you ask? forpd.ucf.edu/strategies/stratsq4r.html

Symmetry : 

Symmetry Well, Symmetry falls under Balance. There are two kinds of balance that refer to the symmetry of an image: 1. Symmetrical balance: both sides (top and bottom or left and right) of the image are exactly or almost exactly identical to each other 2. Asymmetrical balance: elements, such as line, color, and mood, of one part of the image is echoed in another part of the image

Repetition : 

Repetition Repetition is something that is done multiple times, like a pattern Artists use repetition to emphasize something or to show unity, continuity, or flow Repeating an element, while varying it creates rhythm Ex below: The same oval shape and color is repeated, while varying it’s size to create like a fluctuating , throbbing rhythm

Some Examples : 

Examples of Repetition & Symmetry can be found in many different kinds of visuals throughout the world, such as in: Graphic Design Nature/the Universe Manmade products in Hawaii The Philippine culture Some Examples

Graphic Design Examples : 

Graphic Design Examples The overall circular shape of the rubber band ball logo of OfficeMax is symmetrical. There is repetition of bands of red, yellow, orange, and green color.

Graphic Design Examples : 

Graphic Design Examples Symmetric and repetitive graphic designs can even be found on products relating to church. I found this logo on the bell system of my church in Waipahu (St. Joseph Church). It belongs to the Belltron company.

Graphic Design Examples : 

Graphic Design Examples Obviously, since the left and right sides of this image is the same, it is symmetric. But the individual shapes (the circle in the background, the triangle, and the small circle) are also symmetric. The viewer is attracted to this symmetric image as it also looks like a bell, hence “Belltron”.

Graphic Design Examples : 

Graphic Design Examples This is the logo found on a candle that I use for prayer.

Graphic Design Examples : 

Graphic Design Examples If you divide it in half vertically, the main triangular shape is symmetric.

Graphic Design Examples : 

Graphic Design Examples It is also a good example of asymmetric balance as the same white color that is used for the dove is used as the glow around the logo. This emphasizes the idea that the dove, or holy spirit, is like the light of a candle.

Graphic Design Examples : 

Graphic Design Examples This is also an example of repetition as the black horizontal lines of the triangle is repeated.

Examples from Nature : 

Examples from Nature A Sea Turtle’s top Shell is a good example of symmetry and repetition found in nature. http://www.seaworld.org/animal-info/info-books/sea-turtle/physical-characteristics.htm

Examples from Nature : 

Examples from Nature The shape of the shell itself is symmetric. You can also see that the shell’s left side is the same as the shell’s right side. http://www.seaworld.org/animal-info/info-books/sea-turtle/physical-characteristics.htm

Examples from Nature : 

Examples from Nature Similar shapes are repeated, but varied in size around the shell, down the center, and on the left and right sides. http://www.seaworld.org/animal-info/info-books/sea-turtle/physical-characteristics.htm

Examples from Nature : 

This picture of a plumeria from gohawaii.about.com is also an example of symmetry and repetition. Examples from Nature

Examples from Nature : 

If you divide the flower in the middle of one of the petals, you will see that the flower itself is symmetric. Examples from Nature http://gohawaii.about.com/od/hawaiianflowersandtrees/ig/plumeria_photos/plumeria_010.htm

Examples from Nature : 

The petals of the flower are also symmetric. Examples from Nature http://gohawaii.about.com/od/hawaiianflowersandtrees/ig/plumeria_photos/plumeria_010.htm

Examples from Nature : 

There is repetition of the properties (the yellow and red color, shape, and size) of the petals. This repetition of the bright yellow attracts people. Examples from Nature http://gohawaii.about.com/od/hawaiianflowersandtrees/ig/plumeria_photos/plumeria_010.htm

Examples from Nature : 

Examples from Nature Even something as simple as a letter exudes symmetry, such as the letter O. O The left and right side of the letter are identical, as well as the top and bottom of the letter.

Manmade products in Hawaii : 

Manmade products in Hawaii Here in Hawaii, a popular product that uses symmetry and repetition is the plumeria lei.

Manmade products in Hawaii : 

Manmade products in Hawaii Usually, the plumeria flower with white petals and a yellow core is strung together into a circle. The repetition of the flower creates an attractive band of yellow color. Thus, such leis bring people’s attention to celebrants, guests, or esteemed people. You can also see symmetry in the oval shape that the lei creates.

Manmade products in Hawaii : 

Manmade products in Hawaii Another example of repetition and symmetry is found in the Hawaiian maraca (uli uli). http://www.leijl.com/Hula_Supply/body_hula_supply.html

Manmade products in Hawaii : 

Manmade products in Hawaii Red and yellow feathers are placed repeatedly around the instrument, in close proximity. http://www.leijl.com/Hula_Supply/body_hula_supply.html

Manmade products in Hawaii : 

Manmade products in Hawaii This repetition creates a vibrant band of color that attracts the audience during a performance that involves these maracas. http://www.leijl.com/Hula_Supply/body_hula_supply.html

Manmade products in Hawaii : 

Manmade products in Hawaii Additionally, the shape of one maraca is symmetric because its left and right sides are alike. http://www.leijl.com/Hula_Supply/body_hula_supply.html

Manmade products in Hawaii : 

Manmade products in Hawaii Hawaiian clothing also utilizes the concept of repetition, as in the women’s dress, which is called a mumu. Usually, images such as the hibiscus flower (state flower), plumerias, and palm trees are repeated to emphasize the tropical characteristic of the islands.

The Philippines : 

The Philippines There are also examples of repetition and symmetry in the Philippines, such as in the flag of the country. http://www.worldmapsinfo.com/flags/flag-of-philippines.html

The Philippines : 

The Philippines It is symmetric because the top and bottom of the image are identical. http://www.worldmapsinfo.com/flags/flag-of-philippines.html

The Philippines : 

The Philippines The white triangle and the yellow shapes within it are also symmetric. http://www.worldmapsinfo.com/flags/flag-of-philippines.html

The Philippines : 

The Philippines A lot of repetition is found in the traditional clothing designs of the Philippines. Stripes, or linear shapes, and flowers, are often repeated as embroidery. www.aenet.org/ifugao/barbie.htm

The Philippines : 

You can also see repetition when Filipino food is presented. Many times, a pattern of shrimp and sliced, boiled eggs decorate a dish of pancit palabok to create an appetizing view! The Philippines http://www.flickr.com/photos/arndog/851768731/in/set-72157600654105042/

My Ethnic Design : 

My Ethnic Design The design that is used to design my slides also incorporate repetition and symmetry. It is based upon the sun of the flag of the Philippines. http://www.worldmapsinfo.com/flags/flag-of-philippines.html

Slide 43: 

To create my design, I used a circle, a pentagon, and a triangle.

Slide 44: 

Here is how the design developed.

Slide 45: 

I started with a circle…

Slide 46: 

Added a pentagon,

Slide 47: 

And a triangle for the rays

Slide 48: 

Then, I flipped the triangle horizontally to complete the ray.

Slide 49: 

I grouped the two triangles and pentagon, then repeated and rotated the unit around the circle. I got this.

Slide 50: 

I resized the shape and copied it to get a total of four. Then, I adjusted the alignment and distribution to get the above unit.

Slide 51: 

I copied the units and aligned them into a row, like this: Then, I grouped all the units to make a single garland. I used this unit to create the design of my slides in the Slide Master view…

Thanks for viewing! : 

Thanks for viewing!

Reference : 

Reference Frank, Patrick. Prebles’ Artforms. 9th ed. New Jersey: Pearso Education, Inc., 2009. Print.