Using Position to Create Movement
2nd of 3 lessons
Movement is the design principle by which we influence the viewers' attention path as it moves through a composition. Movement is one of the three essential design principles that are the basis for a satisfying composition; the other two are unity and balance. Of all the design elements, position is the most reliable tool for affecting movement.
Using position with contrast, line, and color, these artists direct our attention.
To have a base for comparison, let's start with a design in which eye movement is erratic and not well controlled by any of the components. The individual parts share a similar size and color and are organized haphazardly, causing the eye to jerkily scan the piece.
To show how placement (or position) directs our attention, consider these two arrangements of identical components.
In these process photos, Chris Carpenter shares composition options he is considering. The same elements, organized or positioned differently, create different moods as our eye is directed back and forth in one example and moved along from top to bottom in the other.
Jacqueline Ryan employs contrasting colors in the alternately positioned components to guide the eye around the circular form of these earrings.
Placement of the focal point in the center is static; off-center is dynamic
These earrings by Todd Conover demonstrate the impact of contrast, position, and line on influencing eye movement. The white pearl, placed off-center against a black background, pulls our eye in. The journey continues as we follow the direction of the lines around the exterior of the shapes, returning to the pearl.
Pagoda Earrings, sterling silver, freshwater pearl, 2024
Olga Oblezina maintains control of movement in these heavily textured designs by positioning a contrasting element off-center.
In this brooch, the eye is drawn first to the large, smooth stone positioned off-center, then travels to the detailed flower components.
The overall patterning of gemstones in the large central disc of this ring is organized by a cluster of red gems positioned near the center. Our eye then considers the strange raffia-like bundle on the edge before returning to the gem array.
Please check back next week to see how where we place jewelry on the body directs the eye.
Resources and Image Links
Kecskes Orsolya https://www.kecskesorsolya.com/
https://www.instagram.com/orsolyapiroskakecskes/
Chris Carpenter https://www.instagram.com/chriscarpenter9353/
Todd Conover https://www.instagram.com/todd_conover_metal_works/
Jacqueline Ryan https://www.instagram.com/jacquelineryanjewelry/
Olga Oblezina https://www.instagram.com/olgaoblezina/