Design Evaluation: Good and Bad Design

Bad Design

Google Images- Shmeggie's Blurg

This package feels very cluttered to me, and in no way simple. The text is all on the right side and there is no real path for the eye to follow because it has text both above and below the name. The bright white sparkle is also distracting from the main points that are being sold because the eye kind of stops there when reading the name. Also the color is very dull, with the background and some of the text being similar shades. However, the sky blue color really grabs attention because it is so different from the rest of the package, but why? What is the point of the half blue circle? Once you look at it there is no where to go because your either stuck in the looking at the white of the full circle or looking at the top and bottom of the blue instead of moving past that to read the rest of the words to the right.

                                
Good Design

Google Images- Pink dot

However, this package is very cleverly put. Its very simple, sophisticated and straight to the point. Your eye follows the curves of the line at the bottom but also the curves of the S which  points out the words written on the package. The color works to, much better than in the Orbit package because the Stride sticks to two main colors of white and green. Because of this the white is able to stand out more for all the text. Besides the color, obviously the size and position of where the S is grabs your attention. But what I think really makes this design pop is the use of lines and shading to make the S look almost 3D.
                              

Contrast, Balance and Harmony

I think all forms of nature are beautiful which is why I couldn't help take this photo of springtime blooming flowers. 

I also think this photo fits with the assignment of finding harmony, balance and contrast.

This photo has two kinds of balance. The first is symmetrical balance with the use of a big flower in the top right corner and a big flower in the lower left corner. The second is radial balance from the center of the flower expanding out.

The photo also has contrast with the three different sizes and shapes of the flowers, the texture that can be seen on the stem and flower petals, but most of all the contrast comes from the colors. Green and purple are both secondary colors and with the hue of the green in the background it makes the purple pop. Also the use of the yellow in the small flower really contrasts with the purple as they are complementary colors.

However I think the contrasts and the balance work well in this photo. My eye starts at the bottom of the photo in the middle of first flower because its surrounded by the white petals. From there, my eye travels up to the yellow color on the small flower and then up to the yellow on the larger flower. I then see the fuzz on the stem and travel back to the flower on the bottom. To me its like a never ending circle when I look at this picture.

Visceral Response

During the summer I had an opportunity to visit a lot of places and sites in Europe. I took a lot of pictures but one of my very favorite ones was this one.

This pictures touches on most if not all the Gestalt Principles just a little bit, but the main ones it can relate to is Figure/Background Relationships, the Law of Pragnanz, the Law of Continuity, and the Law of Closure.

The Figure/Background Relationships can be seen by the difference in depth of field. I am close to the camera, while in the background can be seen people that are very far away making them appear very small.

The next principle is the Law of Pragnanz. By just glancing quickly at this picture the first few things I see is a long cylinder rising up in the picture also the circle shaped stone barriers on the bottom right side.

The Law of Continuity can also be seen with all the lines that are displayed in this picture. The main lines I see is the ones that go straight up on the tower followed by the diagonal gate lines and the low horizontal line of the grass.

The most distinguished and fascinating principle to me in this picture is the Law of Closure. This law is about optical illusions or trick of the eye and in this picture it looks like I am holding up the tower from falling over, which I could never do otherwise. Also with the Law of Closure it fills in the missing pieces so we know that there is more to this picture with the stone barriers and the other buildings. It also fills in the parts that are missing on me, such as my legs.