Chapter 6: Rhythm

The Rhythm is gonna get you...

Lastfm.  "Miami Sound Machine"  15 Nov. 2005. Web.  <http://www.last.fm/music/Miami+Sound+Machine/+images/248381>

Rhythm in design is based on repetition and recurrent motifs.  A successful artist or designer will make you feel like the design is actually moving.  Whether that be in the form of nature or the way music moves, this can be a powerful tool in a designers arsenal.

1     FamChinaski "Urban Painting Carugate"  23 Nov. 2008.  Web.
<http://www.flickr.com/photos/famchinaski/3052848686/in/photostream>

One of the ways to achieve this is through Kinesthetic Empathy.  This is the way the viewers feel the motion of the piece when looking at it.  We all know that paintings don't actually move, but the artist can actually make your brain feel like it is viewing movement when done right.  (1)  Although we didn't actually see this gentleman throw up we can feel the force in which it has come out.













Another way to express rhythm in a piece is by using Alternating Rhythm.  This is having an image alternate to create a anticipated design.  A master of this style is the one and only M.C. Escher.  (2)

2                 Escher, M.C.  "Two Birds"  Drawing.  228x243 mm.  February 1938.  Web.            <http://www.mcescher.com/Shopmain/ShopEU/facsprints-uk/prints.html>

3         Bradley, Steven.  2 Aug. 2010.  Web.  <http://www.
vanseodesign.com/web-design/size-scale-proportion/>

A similar style to Alternating rhythm is Progressive Rhythm.  Like alternating this also involves repetition, but this is when a shape actually changes.  (3)  We tend to see this not only in art, but in man made creations like buildings or even in nature.










Seen by many designers as the most complex rhythms are Polyrhythmic Structures.  This is where several rhythmic themes seem to overlap and get complicated.  (4)

Cooper, Justin "Polyrhythmic Art Print"  Web.  <http://society6.com/artist/Justin>

Headed into the Interior design field there will be many times when I am asked to create a specific feel in a place.  To be able to create rhythm where there is none will help define my abilities and intellect as a designer.  To be able to do it in many different ways may be the determining factor between getting or losing a job.

As you get to know me you will find I do not like to lose.  Tootle-loo.