Elements of Design

Chapter 5: Style, Composition, & Design

What is ‘style’? A reflection of the social and political history of the times that are eventually reflected in the patterns and shifting artistic trends of the period.

Theatrical Design and Production © 2006 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All Rights reserved.

Chapter 5: Style, Composition, & Design Production Style: A manner of producing a play in which all production elements (costumes, scenery, lights, acting) adhere to a common set of artistic/philosophical characteristics (e.g. Expressionism)

What is the pattern of elements in this rendering for The Kitchen? Theatrical Design and Production © 2006 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All Rights reserved.

Chapter 5: Style, Composition, & Design The problem with style…. Periods in art/history are only indicative – not definitive Cannot represent historical periods or styles accurately onstage

Designers are from the modern era and reflect their background Audience expectations won’t allow accuracy

The Solution: Stylization!!!

Use of specific compositional elements characteristic of a particular style or period to create the essence of that style or period.

Theatrical Design and Production © 2006 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All Rights reserved.

Chapter 5: Style, Composition, & Design More issues with style….

Acknowledge the literary style of the piece. Verse vs. prose Visual style can reflect the literary style of the drama

Theatrical Design and Production © 2006 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All Rights reserved.

Chapter 5: Style, Composition, & Design Elements of Design: Line Line: A mark that connects two points. Line can have….

Dimension – length & width

Quality – shape, value, contrast Character – emotionally evocative characteristics

Theatrical Design and Production © 2006 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All Rights reserved.

Chapter 5: Style, Composition, & Design Elements of Design: Shape Any line that encloses a space creates a shape.

Shapes define the outlines of details and silhouettes onstage, giving meaning to what we see! Theatrical Design and Production © 2006 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All Rights reserved.

Chapter 5: Style, Composition, & Design Elements of Design: Mass Flat mass with no weight

MASS Three-dimensional manifestation of shape…

Beginnings of mass due to shadow

3D relationship

…creates an awareness of depth and spatial arrangements Theatrical Design and Production © 2006 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All Rights reserved.

Chapter 5: Style, Composition, & Design Elements of Design: Measure

The ability to judge the size of objects and the relative distance between them w/out the aid of measuring devices Intuitive skill

Theatrical Design and Production © 2006 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All Rights reserved.

Chapter 5: Style, Composition, & Design Elements of Design: Position What does position indicate in relation to this design?

Relative location of adjacent shapes or masses Theatrical Design and Production © 2006 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All Rights reserved.

Chapter 5: Style, Composition, & Design Elements of Design: Color

One of the most complex elements – See Chapter 6 for more information Theatrical Design and Production © 2006 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All Rights reserved.

Chapter 5: Style, Composition, & Design Elements of Design: Texture The visual tactile surface characteristics or appearance of an object

Theatrical Design and Production © 2006 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All Rights reserved.

Chapter 5: Style, Composition, & Design Elements of Design: Texture The primary element creating texture is fabric…

…texture can be created with light using gobos Gobo: A thin metal template inserted into an ellipsoidal reflector spotlight to project a shadow pattern of light Theatrical Design and Production © 2006 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All Rights reserved.

Chapter 5: Style, Composition, & Design Principles of Composition: Unity The creation of a stylistic plan to which all parts of the design subscribe.

Production concept = Conceptual plan Theatrical Design and Production © 2006 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All Rights reserved.

Chapter 5: Style, Composition, & Design Principles of Composition: Harmony

Sense of blending and unity that is obtained when all elements of the design fit together to create an orderly whole…

Be aware that too much harmony can become monotonous…

Theatrical Design and Production © 2006 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All Rights reserved.

Chapter 5: Style, Composition, & Design Principles of Composition: Contrast

Juxtaposition of dissimilar design elements

Be aware that too much contrast can destroy unity… Theatrical Design and Production © 2006 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All Rights reserved.

Chapter 5: Style, Composition, & Design Principles of Composition: Variation How is variation created in these patterns?

Create visual interest by repeating a simple pattern but changing it occasionally

Theatrical Design and Production © 2006 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All Rights reserved.

Chapter 5: Style, Composition, & Design Principles of Composition: Balance Symmetrical balance – correspondence in size, form, and relative position of parts on either side of a center dividing line – mirror balance

Arranging design elements to give a sense of restfulness, stability, or equilibrium Asymmetrical balance – a sense of equality achieved through dynamic tension created by the juxtaposition of dissimilar design elements

Theatrical Design and Production © 2006 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All Rights reserved.

Chapter 5: Style, Composition, & Design Principles of Composition: Proportion Harmonious relationship of the parts of an object to each other or to the whole

The idea of beauty is based on ideal proportions

Theatrical Design and Production © 2006 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All Rights reserved.

Chapter 5: Style, Composition, & Design Principles of Composition: Emphasis Directing the audience’s attention to a specific place…

Where is the emphasis in this production image? How is that emphasis created?

…such areas of focus are also known as acting areas Theatrical Design and Production © 2006 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All Rights reserved.

Chapter 5: Style, Composition, & Design Design Analysis of The Kitchen

Unity Harmony Contrast Variation Balance Proportion Emphasis

Apply the concepts from this lecture to this image. Theatrical Design and Production © 2006 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All Rights reserved.