• Understand the concept of proportion and its significance in art, design, and architecture
• Interpret and explain the golden ratio and the rule of thirds, including their applications in art, design, and architecture
• Utilize the golden ratio and the rule of thirds to analyze and assess the composition of artworks, designs, and architectural structures

 

“Art is the expression or application of human creative skill and imagination, typically in a visual form such as painting or sculpture, producing works to be appreciated primarily for their beauty or emotional power.“

Oxford Dictionary

Art, like other disciplines, is an area that combines talent and experience with education. While not everyone considers themself skilled at creating art, there are mathematical relationships commonly found in artistic masterpieces that drive what is considered attractive to the eye. Nature is full of examples of these mathematical relationships.

Understanding Proportions

In the realm of art, design, and architecture, the concept of proportion is of fundamental importance. Proportion is about harmony of size, space and quantity among elements in a composition. It’s a visual tool that determines how elements relate to each other and contribute to the overall aesthetics of a design or structure.

proportion

Proportion refers to the relationship in size, quantity, or degree between different elements within a composition. It is a fundamental principle of design that helps to create visual balance and harmony. 

In art, design, and architecture, getting the proportions right is essential as it significantly influences the aesthetics and functionality of a composition.

A design that maintains proportion among its elements feels balanced and harmonious, while disproportionate designs can feel jarring or intentionally discordant. For instance, a living room with a disproportionately large sofa can make the space feel cramped and uncomfortable, while a large public space with tiny fixtures may seem inhospitable or uninviting.

There are different types of proportion, including symmetrical, asymmetrical, and hierarchical.

types of proportion

• Symmetrical Proportion: This occurs when elements are mirrored on either side of an axis. It creates a sense of balance, harmony and stability.
• Asymmetrical Proportion: This involves different elements that balance each other out, without being identical. It creates a more dynamic and visually interesting composition.
• Hierarchical Proportion: This involves elements sized according to their importance or rank. For example, in graphic design, the most important information is often the largest and most noticeable.

Proportion in Art

In the visual arts, proportion is a principle that guides the arrangement and size relationships of elements within an artwork. It’s the comparison of dimensions or distribution of forms within a composition and can significantly impact the balance, harmony, and visual interest of an artwork.

Artists have been using the principle of proportion to create realistic and pleasing compositions for thousands of years. Whether it’s the representation of human figures, the layout of a landscape, or the distribution of objects in a still life, the careful manipulation of proportions can create a sense of depth, focus attention on important areas, or evoke specific emotional responses from the viewer.

In the depiction of human figures, accurate proportions are crucial. Artists often use a standard measurement, like the size of the head, to determine the proportions of the body. In an ideal figure, for example, the body is typically eight heads tall. However, these proportions can be intentionally altered to create a specific effect or convey a certain message.

If an artist is striving for realism but misses the mark slightly with proportions, it can result in figures that are unsettling or feel “wrong” to viewers, even if they can’t pinpoint why. For example, a portrait where the facial features are just slightly out of proportion can be unsettling. This phenomenon in art is known as “Uncanny Valley.”  

The concept of the “Uncanny Valley” refers to a theory in aesthetics which holds that when human replicas (such as in art, robots, or animations) look almost, but not exactly, like real human beings, it causes a response of revulsion or discomfort among observers. This eerie sensation tends to arise when the replica is very close to being human-like, yet just slightly off – hence the term “valley,” which describes the dip in a graph charting emotional response against level of human likeness.

The Polar Express (2004) was one of the first films to use motion capture technology extensively. Some viewers found the human characters to be eerie due to their lifeless facial expressions.

Proportion in Architecture

Proportion in architecture refers to the balance and harmony created between the different elements of a building or structure. In architecture, proportion can dramatically affect both the aesthetics and functionality of a building. Architects consider proportions when designing the overall structure of a building, as well as individual elements like doors, windows, and pillars.

Buildings that are well-proportioned are not only visually pleasing but also functional and comfortable for their inhabitants. A building with good proportions feels ‘right’ – the doors are a comfortable height, the windows let in the right amount of light, and the rooms feel spacious but not overwhelming.

 

Throughout history, many different cultures have identified preferred proportions that they believe exhibit beauty, stability, and harmony.

For example, the ancient Greeks used the Golden Ratio in their buildings, believing it to be the most aesthetically pleasing proportion. The Parthenon in Athens is a famous example of Greek architecture that supposedly uses the Golden Ratio.

In Renaissance architecture, a system of proportions known as the “Orders of Architecture” was developed. This system, consisting of the Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian orders, specified the proportions for everything from the width and height of columns to the design of the capitals and the entablature.

Modern architecture has also placed a strong emphasis on proportion, although it has often sought to challenge traditional notions of balance and symmetry. Many modern architects use proportion to create a sense of dynamism or to manipulate the viewer’s perception of space.

Despite the changes in architectural style over time, the importance of proportion remains constant. Whether it’s a Gothic cathedral, a Renaissance villa, or a modern skyscraper, a careful balance of proportions contributes to the aesthetic success of a structure.

Proportion in Design

Proportion in design refers to the relationship of size, quantity, or degree between different elements in a design composition. It’s a principle that designers leverage to create a sense of harmony, balance, and visual comfort in their work.

Proportion can directly influence how a design is perceived by the viewer, affecting its aesthetics, functionality, and overall impact. 

In interior design, furniture, artwork, and decor are selected and arranged with careful consideration of their proportions to create a balanced, cohesive space.

In graphic design, elements like text, images, and whitespace are proportioned to guide the viewer’s attention and improve readability.

Two commonly used principles of proportion in design are the Golden Ratio and the Rule of Thirds – we will learn about these on the next page. These principles can be applied to almost any type of design, from graphic design and web design to industrial design and interior design. Utilizing these proportional systems can help designers create compositions that are harmonious and pleasing to the eye. However, these are not strict rules, but tools that can be adapted to meet the needs of a particular design project.