The document discusses the design principle of proportion, emphasizing the relationship between the size of parts and the whole, with human body dimensions serving as a universal standard. It highlights how proportionality affects the perception of spaces and objects, from grand architectural environments to comfortable home interiors. The golden oblong, a standard of good proportion derived from ancient cultures, is noted for its aesthetic appeal compared to other shapes.

1. Proportion
Proportion is the design principle concerned with the relation to the size of the parts
to the whole and to each other.
Basic laws of proportion
Every time two or more things are put together proportions are established, whether
good or bad.
Our most universal standard of measurement is the human body; that is, our experience
of living in our own bodies. We judge the appropriateness of size of objects by that
measure. For example, a sofa in the form of a hand is startling because of the distortion
of expected proportion, and becomes the center of attention in the room. Architectural
spaces intended to impress are usually scaled to a size that dwarfs the human viewer.
This is a device often used in public spaces, such as churches or centers of government.
The same principle is often applied to corporate spaces through which the enterprise
wishes to impress customers with its power and invincibility.
In contrast, the proportions of a private home are usually more in scale with human
measure, and as a result it appears more friendly, comfortable, less intimidating.
Use of appropriate scale in surface design is also important. For example, an overly
large textile design can overwhelm the form of a garment or a piece of furniture.
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2. The proportions idealized in the west today are based on mathematical formulas
established by the ancient Egyptians and later by the Greeks.
The Greek Oblong ( The golden Oblong) is a standard of good proportion. The sides
are in relation of two parts to three.
3
2
Narrow Oblong Golden Oblong Square
Most people find the Greek oblong more beautiful that a square , because equal sides
make the square more obvious. It is also considered more beautiful than an very long,
narrow oblong , in which length & breadth vary so greatly that they do not seem to be
related.
While this relationship has been discovered using actual measurements of ancient
sculptures, it is not important for us to actually measure each of our designs. Once
the principle has been understood, the golden mean can be achieved visually, with
practice?
EXERCISE DS 1-8
1. Draw a man climbing a coconut tree.
2. Draw a man with a child of 3 years.
Draw a man on the roof of a house.
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