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Mathematics: The Blueprint of Visual Design

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Geometry is perhaps the most direct mathematical discipline that influences visual design. From Bézier curves to transformation matrices, mathematics powers the digital design process Mathematics and visual design may appear to be distinct fields, but they are intricately connected in many aspects. The relationship between the two is not merely limited to the use of numerical values or geometric shapes; it extends to the underlying principles that guide both disciplines, such as balance, proportion, symmetry, and harmony. Visual design, which encompasses graphic design, architecture, product design, and other creative fields, draws extensively from mathematics to create aesthetically pleasing, functional, and effective designs. The integration of mathematical concepts into visual design not only helps in achieving precision but also provides a structured framework for the designer's creative process. The Role of Geometry in Visual Design Geometry is perhaps the most direct mathemat...

Think Inside the Box: How Grids Fuel Creativity by Creating Constraints

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Grids are a designer’s secret weapon; they form the basis for layout logic, which is the science behind making designs easy on the eyes; and they are also the invisible frameworks which shape visual design The modern concept of the grid in graphic design emerged in the early 20th century with the advent of modernist design movements. (A gif from Knoho Studio/Dribbble) Grids are a fundamental tool in page layout design, providing structure and coherence to visual compositions. They are invisible frameworks that divide a page into columns, rows, and margins, facilitating the alignment and organization of content. By establishing consistency and balance, grids ensure that the elements of a design work harmoniously together. This essay delves into the importance of grids in layout design, their history, theoretical foundations, and the various types of grids used in design practices. Grids: The Backbone of Design The earliest examples of grid-like structures are found in manuscripts an...

The Van de Graaf Canon: A Timeless Framework for Page Construction

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From the timeless elegance of the Van de Graaf canon to the mathematical precision of the golden ratio, the canons of page construction define the essence of publication and editorial design. All Kaps Design explores how these frameworks, blending tradition and modernity, empower designers to craft layouts that balance beauty and functionality, shaping the visual language of publications.  The Van de Graaf canon aligns closely with the golden ratio (1:1.618), a mathematical relationship often found in nature and art, which has been celebrated for its inherent beauty and balance. Page construction has long been a critical component of editorial and publication design, serving as the backbone for the harmonious organization of text and imagery. Among the various methodologies for achieving balance and aesthetics, the Van de Graaf canon stands out as one of the most enduring and versatile frameworks. Named after the 20th-century book designer J.A. van de Graaf, this canon provides a ...

Deconstruction and Graphic Design

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Exploring deconstruction’s evolution from a provocative philosophical concept by Jacques Derrida to its mislabeling as a design trend, this essay unpacks its role as a critical method. Deconstruction interrogates representation, systems, and binaries, challenging cultural assumptions across disciplines while shaping graphic design’s history and theory.    by Ellen Lupton and J. Abbott Miller. Published in special issue of Visible Language on Graphic Design History , edited by Andrew Blauvelt (1994). This is an earlier version of the essay “Deconstruction and Graphic Design,” published in Design Writing Research . Since the surfacing of the term “deconstruction” in design journalism in the mid-1980s, the word has served to label architecture, graphic design, products, and fashion featuring chopped up, layered, and fragmented forms imbued with ambiguous futuristic overtones. This essay looks at the reception and use of deconstruction in the recent history of graphic design, w...

The Philosophy of Digital Art

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by Thomson-Jones, Katherine and Shelby Moser Thomson-Jones, Katherine and Shelby Moser, "The Philosophy of Digital Art", The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (Summer 2024 Edition), Edward N. Zalta & Uri Nodelman (eds.) Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy The philosophy of digital art is the philosophical study of art that crucially relies on computer processing in its production or presentation. There are many kinds of digital art, including digital cinema and video, digital photography and painting, electronic music, literary works generated by so-called “chatbots”, NFT art, net art, and video games. For the full range of digital art kinds, the aim is to identify their essential features, ground their proper appreciation, and situate our understanding of them in relation to pre-existing debates in aesthetics. This first-order inquiry cannot proceed without acknowledgment of the enormous interdisciplinary and popular interest in digital media. Claims are frequently mad...