ARTEFACT 2 - THE IDEA

After interviewing members of my focus group, It occurred to me that the visual element of art and design ‘lines’, acts as a foundation in both the perception of space in 3D environments, as well as a real or none virtual environment. It is depth cues like movement, rhythm, shape, colour and tone sound assist us in determining how believable our three-dimensional worlds appear in a two-dimensional screen surface. These are considered some of the crucial elements that make people perceive these spaces differently whilst simultaneously communicating moods, emotions and ideas. Therefore, for my second Artefact I shall analyse one other visual element of art and design SHAPE.

I am hoping to discover how the visual element of art and design, shape can affect ones perception of space. I shall still be referring to the book Visual Elements of Art and Design by Frederick Palmer, and the justifications he makes about shapes. He argues that “shape may be used by artists and designers to manipulate the spectator’s response to an image or construction”.
His book suggests that;
‘Squares and rectangles are associated with stability’
‘Circles and curved shapes suggest movement and continuity’
‘Triangles can lead the eye in upward movement; but
‘Inverted triangles tend to give a sensation of imbalance and tension’

My aim is to find out whether it is true that shapes can make people perceive spaces differently and the moods and ideas they communicate to a viewer. I intend on finding out how far shapes go out in assisting to make two dimensional screen surfaces appear believable and of a 3dimensional nature. I am to interview members of my focus group, and ask them open ended questions, based on images that consist of several types of shapes and record the response of members in my focus group of each type of shape. I will also create two rooms, one with depth cues, and the other with none and see how the perception of space will differ from the other. With this interview I shall also be able to find out on whether Palmers suggestions of space are fully agreeable. This will lead me to my next artefact. I am not expecting a common occurring answer or pattern in their answers, however I think rectangles and squares as shapes will be the most common depth cue which will drastically change ones perception of space.