Unit 1 summary

I believe all designs can be described and analyzed by both principles and elements. Before the beginning of this course, I didn’t look at designs the way I do now. I used to look at an object or structure and only recognize it was aesthetically pleasing, without breaking down why. After completing unit 1, I see things from a completely different perspective. I went to Rome last fall, and saw various incredible structures with fascinating history behind them. An example would be the colosseum. Through the last lecture on Roman structures, I broke down the principles and elements of the colosseum and realized how many principles and elements make it what it is. Not only do I look at large structures differently at this point, but I also can take more from simple and smaller designs as well; such as a small model, or a teapot. On my first visit back to my hometown this month, I went to one of my favorite restaurants designed by a family friend of mine. In my previous visits to this restaurant, I noticed the aspects that made it beautiful, but after learning how to determine the principles and elements, I looked at it from a designer’s perspective and also noticed its modernism. After touring the campus with the class, I do not just walk by white hall anymore without much thought. I notice the detailed design in the door, and the use of brick and concrete throughout it. Not only in this class, but my other design classes as well, I have learned principles and elements can be pulled from any design in the world. No matter what you’re looking at, at least one principle or element can be given.