Woodturning Design

1 Woodturning DesignWoodturning DesignWBAW Presentation: 10 February 2009by Laura and Barry Uden2 Grouping Photos of PiecesAccording to Design Quality3 Presentation Contents!What is good Design ? Aesthetics Theory!How do you create a good Design ? Before turning While turning After turning!What not to do!Discussion4 What is Good Design ?Aesthetics!Looks correct - we know it when we see it!Grouped photos!Outlines of pieces5 What is Good Design ?Aesthetics!Non-wood items:the same principlesapply as for wood6 What is Good Design ?Theory! Design elements Color/value Texture Shape/form/movement Scale/proportion! Design principles Center of interest Balance Harmony Contrast Rhythm7 Design elements !

2 The Design elements are aspects of thepiece that can be manipulated or modifiedby the artist to create the Design !The Design elements include: Color/value Texture Shape/form/movement Scale/proportion8 Design ElementsColor/Value!The color of the wood should suit thepurpose and shape of the piece to make itinteresting. If multiple colors are used in apiece, they should be complementary orsimilar in the warmth or coolness of thetones. Value is the degree of light and darkin any part of the ElementsTexture!This is the degree of roughness orsmoothness in objects. It is about surfacequality, either tactile or visual. Texture can bereal (tactile), or can be implied by burning orpainting the surface, or by using patterns,such as with segmented elements (Cont d.)

3 Shape/Form/Movement!Shape / form is a characteristic of anobject that makes it appear to varywhen viewed from different angles.!Movement has to do with the visualflow through the composition.!Attention should be paid to the pointat which the flow changes shape ordirection. Shape changes should beeither smooth and gradual or distinctand sharp: an in-between approachcan look like a , Movement, and Curves!Ogee curve: Ogee is a shape consisting of a concavearc flowing into a convex arc, so formingan S-shaped curve with vertical ends Ogee windows and arches wereintroduced to European cities from theMiddle EastSingle and doubleogee curvesOgee curves inarchitectureSpot the ogee curves12 Design elements (Cont d.)

4 Scale/Proportion!Scale refers to variations in overall size should be fit for use unlessdesigning miniatures. Proportion refersto the relative comparison of sizes ofobjects, lines or shapes within the piece.!Avoid placing any Design feature orshape change ( , bead, ridge, edgeof a lid, etc.) close to the halfway pointvertically up a piece. This is also truefor the location of the center of gravityor widest point on the piece a 1/3 to2/3 proportion usually looks good, andoften (not always), above center is elements (Cont d.)Scale/Proportion!For bowls and platters, the rule ofthumb is that the base should beabout 1/3 of the diameter of thepiece.

5 !For closed forms, a good rule ofthumb is that the size of the topopening should be 1/3 of thediameter of the piece or Proportion Guides:Rule of Thirds and Golden Mean!These are rules that have been developed toguide the use of proportion in Design !In Woodturning , these rules help guideproportions such as: the height of a box lid related to theremainder of the box how far down a piece the widest point islocated diameter of bowl related to height of bowl15 The Rule of Thirds!The Rule of Thirds is used in many artforms, especially photography!It suggests that what feels good to usaesthetically is often a proportion of 1/3 to2/3!This equates to a ratio of 1 to 2!

6 In photography, it often refers to the locationof the horizon line16 The Golden Mean!Both the Greeks and the ancient Egyptiansused the Golden Mean when designing theirtemples and monuments!It suggests that what feels good to us is aproportion of 1 to !Rounding down, this could be seen as a ratioof 5 to 817 Comparing the Two Rules!Rule of Thirds: Ratio of 1 to 2 Same as 4 to 8!Golden Mean: Ratio of 5 to 8!Which one should you use? For three-dimensional objects, the eyecannot always distinguish between them Use whatever works for you18 You be the judge:What s good and what isn t, and why?!Judging outlines of pieces19 Design Principles!The Design principles can be seen in howthe Design applies the Design elements !

7 These principles are described in thecharacteristics of the piece, and include: Center of interest Balance Harmony Rhythm Contrast20 Design Principles (Cont d.)Center of Interest!This is an area that first attracts attention in acomposition. This area is more important whencompared to the other objects or elements in acomposition. This can be by contrast of values,more colors, and placement in the to balance, it is usually good practice toNOT put a major Design element at the exactmiddle of the piece. Instead, follow the goldenmean or rule of Principles (Cont d.)Balance!This is a feeling of visual equality in shape, form,value, color, etc. Balance can be symmetrical andevenly balanced or asymmetrical.

8 Colors, values,textures, shapes, etc., can be used in creating abalance in a composition. For closed forms, a goodrule of thumb is that the size of the top openingshould be relatively similar in size to the Principles (Cont d.)Harmony!Harmony brings together a composition withsimilar aspects. Too much harmony withoutvariety is boring, while too much variationwithout harmony is Principles (Cont d.)Rhythm!Rhythm is a movement in which some elementsrecurs regularly, such as a bead or finial enhances the feeling of harmony of the the sizes of the repeated objects canvary, it is important to keep the proportions thesame; otherwise, it can look like a Principles (Cont d.)

9 Contrast!Contrast is the variation betweenshapes or tones in the piece. Itoffers a change in value creatinga visual discord in a shows the differencebetween shapes and can beused as a background to bringobjects out and forward in adesign. It can also be used tocreate an area of do you create a good Design ?Before Turning!Plan the piece!Align the Design with the blankWhile Turning!Ensure continuity!Maintain flexibilityAfter Turning!Look for consistency!Ensure harmony26 Ensuring Good Design Before Turning:Planning the piece! Design the piece Outline the piece ahead of time Use tools to help draw out smooth curves!Ensure alignment Style aligned with purpose Shape and proportion aligned with woodfigure27 Ensuring Good Design Before Turning:Aligning the Design with the blank!

10 Can start with Design , then find wood blankwith correct proportions!Or start with the wood blank, then createdesign to fit the blank. Examine blank forpossible shapes that fit the blank size andwood figure orientation28 Aligning the Design with the blank:What can you make from these blanks?!Discussion29 Ensuring Good Design While Turning!Ensure Continuity Keep the line flowing throughout the piece Check the shape on and off the lathe!Maintain Flexibility Adjust to what you find while turning thepiece: worm holes, cracks, etc. Be prepared for Design by oops as TomHoward calls it: accidents can lead toopportunities30 Ensuring Good Design After Turning!