Emphasis and Focal point

Axis, Datum, Hierarchy, Contrast, Complexity, Contradiction, Presence

and Absence, Regularity and irregularity.

Short Answer:

1. Explain Emphasis and Focal point.

Emphasis is a strategy that aims to draw the viewer’s attention to a
specific design element. That could be to an area of content, to an
image, to a link, or to a button, etc.

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Focal points are areas of interest, emphasis or difference within a
composition that capture and hold the viewer's attention. The focal
points in your design should stand out but should be noticed after the
element with the most dominance.
2. What is datum in architecture?
A datum is a form which ties together or anchors all other elements of
the design. It can be a line, like a road with houses arranged along its
length, a flat plane, or even a 3D space. Many buildings all share a plane
which acts as a clear datum— it’s the ground on which they are built!
3. Explain the principle of hierarchy with examples
Hierarchy is the control of visual information in an arrangement or
presentation to imply importance. Hierarchy influences the order in which
the human eye perceives what it sees.
In design, hierarchy is used to:
● Add structure
● Create visual organisation
● Create direction
● Add emphasis
● Help a viewer navigate and digest information easily
Hierarchy is typically created by contrast between visual elements in a
composition. Typically visual elements with highest contrast are noticed
first. Using hierarchy we can control how a viewer engages with information
to ensure that information is navigated and digested in the way it is
intended. For example: Where do we want the eye to look first, second,
third and so on.

4. What is meant by contrast. explain with examples.

 refers to the arrangement of opposite elements (light vs. dark colors,
rough vs. smooth textures, large vs. small shapes, etc.) in a piece so as
to create visual interest, excitement and drama.

5. Short note on Contrast and juxtaposition

contrast is a visual difference used for distinguishing a certain object
(or objects). Contrast is often used in different areas of design, but
sometimes seems too complex to master, it helps distinguishing an
object. Moreover, it catches attention.
6. Short note on the presence of absence in architecture
Presence of Absence is one of the major forms of communication for
architects to express their conceptual intention. Normally, architects
design architecture by making objects. But sometimes they eliminate a
part of the original object or parts to design architecture, for example,
eliminate columns to make a large space in a building. The way creates
some effects which could not be created by just making an object. The
objective of this paper is to reveal the aspect of architecture from the
view of Presence of Absence from expression of elimination through the
text description of buildings.

7. What is the role of axes in architecture?

An axis is one of the most elemental forms of composition used in
architecture. Defined by two points in space, an axis forms a linear
condition about which other forms and spaces can be organized. For an
axial composition to work, it's important that the two elements at each
end be significant forms or space.

8. What are ordering principles used in architecture?

These 6 ordering principles include axis, symmetry, hierarchy, datum,

rhythm, repetition, and transformation. ... These principles form part of a
larger order of architectural composition seen in most buildings
throughout the world.
9. Explain complexity and contradiction.

● Complexity is the property of a real-world system that is manifest

in the inability of any one formalism being adequate to capture all
its properties.
● But an architecture of complexity and contradiction has a special
obligation toward the whole: its truth must be in its totality or its
implications of totality.
● It must embody the difficult unity of inclusion rather than the easy
 unity of exclusion. More is not less."
Short Essays:
1. Explain how Emphasis could be created in Architecture taking
the works of master architects as examples.

Emphasis is also referred to as point of focus, or interruption. It marks

the locations in a composition which most strongly draw the viewers
attention. Usually there is a primary, or main, point of emphasis, with
perhaps secondary emphases in other parts of the composition. The
emphasis is usually an interruption in the fundamental pattern or
movement of the viewers eye through the composition, or a break in the
rhythm.

The artist or designer uses emphasis to call attention to something, or to

vary the composition in order to hold the viewers interest by providing
visual "surprises."Emphasis can be achieved in a number of ways.
Repetition creates emphasis by calling attention to the repeated
element through sheer force of numbers. If a color is repeated across a
map, the places where certain colors cluster will attract your
attention.Contrast achieves emphasis by setting the point of emphasis
apart from the rest of its background. Various kinds of contrasts are
possible. The use of a neutral background isolates the point of
emphasis.

2. What is the role of axes in architecture? Explain through

sketches how this ordering principle is used in buildings
An axis is one of the most elemental forms of composition used in
architecture. Defined by two points in space, an axis forms a linear
condition about which other forms and spaces can be organized. For an
axial composition to work, it's important that the two elements at each
end be significant forms or space.

3. What is the relation between axis, movement and pause in

architecture ?
Axis is mainly used to align elements. When elements are arranged
around an axis, the design feels ordered. As with most things in life, we
enjoy things that are ordered because they feel more stable, comfortable
and approachable.
Pause is a necessity within the rhythm of life. There are pauses
everywhere around us; we pause when we breathe, we pause when we
speak, and we pause when we think. Pause is a crucial part in the most
beautiful pieces of music, it is in between our bites of food and sips of
coffee, Pause is what makes life beautiful; without it the world around us
will consist of a meaningless cacophony. Architecture, much like other
things in life must also contain pauses to be enjoyable. The most
memorable and appreciative architecture consist of spaces where once
has an ability to pause and have an experience be it much needed rest,
peace or a moment to think.

Long Essays:
1. What is emphasis and focal point? Explain with neat sketches
how it could be created in Architecture taking the works of master
architects.
Emphasis works by directing your focus to a specific key point of the
piece of artwork. Artists use things like Contrast, Isolation, Location,
Convergence, and the Unusual, to emphasize a specific part of the
picture and draw your attention to it.

The picture above shows a yellow fish with a grayscale background.

Notice how you automatically draw your eyes towards the fish, this is
called a focal point.

This building shows emphasis by mimicing the great pyramids.

2. Describe the importance of presence and absence in
architecture. Interpret through illustrations
.

● Text description of Presence of Absence is one of the major forms

of communication for architects to express their conceptual
intention.
● Normally, architects design architecture by making objects. But
sometimes they eliminate a part of the original object or parts to
design architecture, for example, eliminate columns to make a
large space in a building. The way creates some effects which
could not create just only making an object. .
● To summarize the characteristics of architectural Presence of
Absence from expression of elimination in text description of
buildings,
● 1.) Through the design of architecture, architect expresses
essence of own architecture by using subtraction and abstraction,
● 2.) In the activity inside of architecture, architect expresses
potential of activity inside of architecture eliminated,
● 3.) In the recognition of architecture, architect obscures the
perception and dismantle ideally, be present nature and unit of
form as a virtual image to express architecture beyond the existing
concept.
● The expressions of eliminate reveal that not only building function
and material presence but also meaning and added values
architects create through the absence.