34 



Nature in Recreation 



on the shore, or by the repeating beat in music. So in design we may pro- 

 duce rhythm by using a moving line or repeating one or more motifs in a 

 beat-like manner. 



Equal Balance (weights) 



Unequal Balance (weights) 



Bisymmetric Balance (design) 



Asymmetric Balance (design) 



Natural forms usually show perfect BALANCE. Balance may be either 

 equal Bisymmetric or unequal Asymmetric. A perfect balance is essential to 

 stability in nature as it is to composition in Design. Balance in design is best 

 illustrated by comparison with weight. In design the weight is the mass ot 

 dark and light. 



Now in applying a natural form to design, we must begin to use our 

 imagination, for with all the laws of design in the world, we are lost with- 

 out that extra touch of originality or imagination. Good design is never 

 merely an exact copy of nature. There is the process of selection, simplifica- 

 tion and imagination added. We would then in planning the design, using 

 a natural form, first select the form itself, and two important factors are 

 involved in this choice. 



The first consideration is one of suitability. If we are planning to use this 

 design motif as an application to some constructed object (and we will 

 presume this to be so), we should be sure that the design subject is suitable 

 for that object or in good taste. We may even go further and tie the design 

 motif directly to the use of the object. For instance, a collection case for 

 flower specimens might be decorated with a flower motif and a bird manual 

 with a bird design. 



Secondly, we should choose some form with which we are familiar. Our 

 design will be of far better quality if we can actually observe the form to be 

 used than if we have to use a picture. Throughout the entire history of 

 design and ornament we find that artists were strongly influenced by the 

 familiar naturalistic forms surrounding them. These designs were their most 

 successful ones. Egyptian or Assyrian ornament at once suggests the papyrus, 

 the lotus and the palm. Greek artists and decorators relied strongly on the 

 acanthus, the vine, the olive, the ivy; Gothic art made use of the oak, the 

 maple and other leafage; Persian art is replete with the familiar garden 



