Whilst researching the Haiku I unpacked it’s symbolism and brainstormed aspects of this my poster could reflect. I came up with many ideas centred around spirituality, heritage and cycles within nature and created nine rough sketches based off of these concepts (Yahata & 經, 1988).
I quickly settled on the shape and symbolism of a Ginkgo leaf to base my design on, however, the constraints of the poster were to use geometric forms only which posed a difficult challenge as I wanted to show an organic shape in my design. After playing around with several compositions I decided on a simple square and circle composition to create the outline of a Ginkgo leaf.
Throughout my poster, I reference visual elements of design. The interrelationship of form is displayed through positive and negative space (Amaral, 2020). Each geometric shape is combined to create a positive-negative interplay when the outlines are filled with black, creating the fan-shaped Ginkgo leaf.
The gestalt principle of similarity is created through repetitive geometric composition. The never-ending, enduring, pattern simultaneously creates a hypnotic feel, uniform texture and balanced sense of harmony in the composition (Amaral, 2020). The viewer can simplify the complexity of the pattern by grouping similar geometric elements allowing for continuity throughout the design.
Reflecting on this process the overall creation of my composition was daunting at first however, working with the analogue techniques and geometric constraints pushed my creative thinking and challenged my perfectionism. I have a newfound appreciation of the challenges of working with constraints and the way this allowed me to learn to accept and appreciate the flaws in my handmade work.
Works Cited:
Amaral, C. (2020, April 6). DES101 Week 2 Lecture. The University of Auckland. Auckland: Canvas.
Pulvers, R. (2010, September 19). Summer's heat is spent, the leaves are about to turn, an equinox nears. Retrieved from Japan Times: https://www.japantimes.co.jp/opinion/2010/09/19/commentary/summers-heat-is-spent-the-leaves-are-about-to-turn-an-equinox-nears/#.Xo2ygi2B2Ax
Smithsonian Education. (2020, April 6). Why the Ginkgo.Retrieved from Smithsonian Education: http://www.smithsonianeducation.org/educators/professional_development/conference/2009/climate_change/ginkgo.html
Yahata, T., & 經, 八. 幡. (1988). "Shinmō" (Spirits of the Recently Deceased) and Community: Bon Observances in a Japanese Village. Japanese Journal of Religious Studies, 131-136.
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