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Welcome to the May 2011 Issue
Design for the Rest of Us
I hope your winter is safely behind you and that you are looking forward to another one of the Four Seasons. Remember Spring and Fall?
Year 2011 has started out with some new and exciting ventures. I've been recruited as a Specialist Speaker on design topics for luxury cruise liners. My first gig will be a Mediterranean cruise in the Fall. Like my CEUs and seminars I will still be speaking about those topics I love...color, design styles, decorative arts, accessories, and trends. I'm very excited about another "first" at this certain age. Life is good.
Please email me with any suggested topics you would like to read about. You'll soon receive a survey asking about topics you would like covered including in person and webinars as well. Stay Tuned! |
Calendar of Upcoming Seminars and Events
Garage Sale on Sat. May 14 from dawn to dusk (actually 8 am - 6pm) another great Nutley NJ Garage Sale -art, antiques, textiles, jewelry, home decor and much more. For directions contact my bud Babs for more info. at 201-259-0442 or email
Lambert Castle Antique Show and Sale, Paterson NJ
May 20 Preview Night at 7 pm
May 21 and 22 from 10 am to 5 pm
More details to follow.
Hot Topics at FIT (7th Ave./W27th St.) by Susan Slotkis
SXH 300 Color Intensive Workshop for Home Fashion Market
Tues. from 6 - 9 pm June 7, 14, 21, 28.
SXH 100 Learn the Top 10 Design Motifs
Thurs. from 6 - 9 pm June 23, 30, July 7, 14, 21
SXH 829 Color Psychology 6 - 9 pm July 13, 20 Contact FIT for more information on Hot Topics |
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FINDING BALANCE
 Is it the elusive hide and seek, catch as catch can, or merely an idealized notion? Perhaps we know balance best when it's missing.We juggle priorities; we juggle trivialities. More accurately they juggle us. Multitasking, no longer relegated to just simultaneous computer processing, defines our communications and our social interactions.
Balance, the state of equilibrium may also be thought of as homeostasis, physical or emotional steadiness, or both. We all know how it feels when something is out of sync, when we have a headache (or a belly ache or a backache) nothing feels right!
Balance in design may be achieved in different ways: |
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Symmetrical balance relies on "mirror image" when elements of a space are arranged identically on either side of an axis (real or perceived). Traditional architecture and interiors based on the Classic Greek principles such as those used by Robert Adam of the Neoclassic Period venerate this style It's a static and formal approach to design. Why static? Well, if you were to remove one element on either side of the axis, you have that state of "no balance" which may be disconcerting, unstable, and even stressful.
Asymmetrical balance relies on the concept of achieving equal "visual weight" of elements that are not identical. This is perhaps more difficult to achieve than symmetrical balance, but often results in a more fluid and satisfying approach. Elements that are not identical may appear to be equal in weight due to many factors. Among them is the degree of light transmitted through them, from none (opacity), to some (translucency) to all (transparency). A large rice paper light globe which transmits much of the lightness outward from its boundaries may appear to lighter than a smaller light source shielded by an opaque black shade.
Certain colors are denser and appear heavier, such as black and violet as opposed to white and yellow.Saturated or intense colors have more visual weight. Squinting or viewing in gray scales helps to understand this, as below. Warm colors advance towards us. Another way is alter the perception of visual weight is through spacing. As spaces narrow the weight of those objects will intensify.  
Radial balance also used in classical architecture and design. It relies on the arrangement of equal elements radiating out from a central point, like the spokes of a bicycle wheel, as in this stained glass ceiling. 
Most often we think about the vertical axis, from left to right (or, right to left for some). But, another dimension is the horizonal axis, in this case a real one.
By additionally looking at diagonal axes we have a more complex experience. Picture a loaded pizza pie cut into 8 slices. If you liked all the extra ingredients you probably wouldn't mind a piece with 5 mushrooms vs. 4 pepperoni slices. This dissected view from the Highline is visually loaded with similar intensity (or weight) in each slice.
Photographers and graphic designers often use the Rule of Thirds.
 
So, here's your homework assignment!
How would you make the photo below of a charming old Parisian kitchen more balanced? While I took this photo in a museum so I was not able to "style" in in situ. As much as I love this vignette I find myself wanting to change some things around, add, or subtract. Submit your "manipulated image" to me and you may find it on my next Newsletter!
 Until then, Susan Slotkis (formerly Designer, Educator, Author, now I'll add photographer"). |
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