Are you at a brick wall in the creative process?
Are you sick of being in a creative recession?
Christopher Alexander, architectural visionary, has produced a four volume essay discussing his theories of patterns and the nature of the Universe. He talks a lot about getting to the center, all center, whether it is the elevator in the center of a building or the center of interest at the heart of an art work. They both draw you in if the design is good and successful. Both are an environment. Alexander believes we are hard-wired to patterning.
If you focus on just one of Christopher Alexander’s general principles for everything, you can begin to regain your artistic momentum. Take a look at the way Alexander has phrased his general principles and see how they apply to your artwork:
- a range of sizes is pleasing and beautiful
- good design has areas of focus and weight
- outlines focus attention to the center
- repeating elements give order and harmony
- the background should not detract from the center
- simple forms create an intense, powerful center
- small symmetries are better than overall symmetry
- looping, connected elements give unity and grace
- unity is achieved with visible opposites
- texture and imperfections give uniqueness and life
- similarities should repeat through a design
- empty spaces offer calm and contrast
- use only essentials, avoid extraneous elements
- designs should be interconnected, not isolated
- scale and echo create positive emotions
Why not print a copy of the following list and put it on the cover of your ideas binder, or wherever you keep your collection of stimulating stuff.
