DESIGN 67 



introduced, however, a dynamic equilibrium will 

 result, giving to the design a new vitality. 



Rhythm is the enlivening quality in design, and 

 embodies the idea of change or progression; it is 

 usually produced by changes of sufficient regular- 

 ity to lead the eye in one direction or the other, re- 

 fusing to let it come to a full stop. 



A perfect example of rhythm in nature is the 

 rolling surface of the ocean, with all its waves re- 

 curring at regular intervals, but nevertheless 

 carrying the eye in one direction with a powerful 

 sense of motion. If one looks down a long avenue 

 of trees of regular height, the diminishing per- 

 spective creates a powerful pull upon the atten- 

 tion, and the gaze is focused at the distant point 

 where they seem to meet. A rhythmic setting of 

 this sort is used for special features on a larger 

 scale, for it is a well-established custom to place 

 an imposing structure at the end of a regular 

 vista. 



Carpeau's fomitain (Fig. 16) is at the front of 

 a vista, and yet the enframing triees set it off pow- 

 erfully in the same fashion. The rhythm in this 

 case is due entirely to perspective. 



Rhythmic quality may aj^pear in lines, in the 

 shapes of areas, or in colors. It may be a recur- 



