6.unity & Harmony

Unity and Harmony
Unityis the hallmark of a good design. Its the final

result in a composition when all thedesign
elementswork harmoniously together giving the
viewer a satisfying sense of belonging and
relationship.
What is Unity?
Unity creates an integrated image in which all the

elements are working together to support the design
as a whole. A unified design is seen as a whole first,
before the individual elements are noticed . Unity can
be compared to harmony, integrity or wholeness.
What is Unity?
Unity One or wholeness

In many respects, Unity
important design principle.
is
the
single
most
A design with strong Unity (possessing definite

character) is more satisfactory than one that is
profuse in detail.
Human perception involves the process of
observing the important elements in the field of
vision, followed by attention to detail, reverting to a
final reassessment of the major elements (leading
the eye from the whole to the parts).
Characteristics
Alberti and many others have considered the acme

of design to be the achievement of unity, to which
nothing can be added and from which nothing
can be subtracted without disadvantage.
The arrangement of parts by which unrelated
objects are so placed that the mind loses sight of
them as individual parts and notes only the
combination as a whole. This quality of unity is
fundamental for design excellence.
The expression of oneness resulting from integrity
of form (without), purpose (within) and
character (manifestation of purpose).
Characteristics
When unity is achieved

The individual elements with in a composition will
not be competing for attention.
The key theme will be communicated more clearly.
The design will evoke a sense of completeness and
organization.
Characteristics
Gestaltis a psychology term which means "unified

whole".
It
refers
to
theories
ofvisual
perceptiondeveloped by German psychologists in
the 1920s.
Unity is based on the gestalt theory of visual
perception, which states that the eye of the viewer
seeks a gestalt or unified whole. This means that
the viewer is actually looking for a connection
between the elements, for some sort of organization,
for unity in the design.
The Gestalt Theory
Proximity is the first

Gestalt
principle
discussed because it
relates directly to line.
The Gestalt Law of
Proximity states that
elements
that
are
closer together will be
seen as a coherent
object.
As
objects
become closer they
are seen as more
unified.
Proximity explains why
broken or dashed lines
and separate shapes
can be interpreted as
The Gestalt Principles
Continuity
People tend to interpret line and contours whenever
the visual elements of an image establish a direction.
This explains movement in an image, since the eye
continues in the direction that has been established.
The viewer follows a larger uninterrupted form
composed of smaller separate forms.
Similarity
Elements within an assortment
of objects are perceptually
grouped together if they are
similar to each other. This
similarity can occur in the form
of shape, colour, shading or
other qualities. For example, the
figure illustrating the law of
similarity portrays 36 circles all
equal distance apart from one
another forming a square. In
this depiction, 18 of the circles
are shaded dark and 18 of the
circles are shaded light. We
perceive the dark circles as
grouped together, and the light
circles as grouped together
forming six horizontal lines
within the square of circles. This
perception of lines is due to the
law of similarity.
To achieve Unity, the basic Design theme must be

constant and consistent.
Each component element in the additive /layering
process of Design must exhibit the same
characteristics .
Basilica of St Maria
Novella, Florence
Unity may result from

the establishment of a definite dominant and
subordinate relationship between elements.
Inter relationship of analogous components.
Repetition a similar proportional unit.
Use of an overriding structural expression
(necessary to convey stability).
Habitat 67 by
Moshe Safdie
Unity may also result from

Use of a single dominant material/texture
/pattern/color
Through simplicity- the use of a few component
elements
By organized or balanced complexity of a number
of small component elements.
WTC Path Station

by
Santiago Calatrava
Unity may be established by camouflaging

undesirable elements.
By reducing apparent bulk with the use of
subdivision.
By focusing the viewers vision on pleasing
features.
Louvre Pyramid
by IM Pei
The sense of Unity may be destroyed when

The underlying design theme is lost.
When component elements degenerate into
disparate entities.
When dissonant elements cause viewers interest
to flag.
Or the overuse of elements.
Unity results from balanced compositionbalance possesses stability, an important

characteristic in achieving Unity.
Achievement of Unity projects a profound
sense of harmony.
Unity or Harmony is the condition of agreement
of all visual elements within a composition.
Harmony: the fitting together of parts to form a

connected whole the principle of well joining;
originally a carpenters word meaning to join.
Consistence, agreement, congruity, the imprint of
Oneness on Multiplicity.
In architecture, color, texture, shape, form, are all
relevant to harmony.
What is Harmony?
Harmony in visual design means all parts of the

visual image relate to and complement each other.
What is Harmony?
What is Harmony?
Creatively combining beauty, technology, and utility

is design. When these three critical elements are
brought together successfully, something more than
the sum of the parts is produced; great films are
made, buildings of significance are constructed,
stunning graphics transcend their medium.
Thus the achievement of Unity in a composition
results in harmonious visual effects.
And Unity is considered The epitome of architectural
qualities.

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6.unity & Harmony

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What is unity?

What is unity?

What are some characteristics of unity?

What are some characteristics of unity?

Unity and Harmony

Unityis the hallmark of a good design. Its the final

Unity creates an integrated image in which all the

Unity One or wholeness

A design with strong Unity (possessing definite

Alberti and many others have considered the acme

When unity is achieved

Gestaltis a psychology term which means "unified

The Gestalt Theory

Proximity is the first

The Gestalt Principles

The Gestalt Principles

The Gestalt Principles

To achieve Unity, the basic Design theme must be

Unity may result from

Unity may also result from

WTC Path Station

Unity may be established by camouflaging

The sense of Unity may be destroyed when

Unity results from balanced compositionbalance possesses stability, an important

Harmony: the fitting together of parts to form a

Harmony in visual design means all parts of the

Creatively combining beauty, technology, and utility

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