DESIGN 67 



introduced, however, a dynamic equilibrium will 

 result, giving to the design a new vitality. 



Ehythm 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 fountain (Fig. 16) is at the front of 

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

 erfully in the same fashion. The rhythm in this 

 case is due entirely to perspective. 



Ehythmie quality may appear in lines, in the 

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



