Industrial Arts Design Part 12

[Sidenote: Need of Top and Side Views]

While the top view of an article of jewelry may have been carefully designed the side view in most instances is totally neglected. The side view should show a steady graduation from the surface of the silver to the outline of the stone. This prevents the stone from bulging from the surface like a sudden and unusual growth. Doming, small wedges of silver, or a twist around the bezel may accomplish this as can be readily seen in Figures 181, 182, and 183.

[Ill.u.s.tration: RULES 5D 5E 5F 5G. CONTOUR OR OUTLINE ENRICHMENT. CLAY.

METAL. INSTRUCTION SHEET.

PLATE 31]

[Sidenote: Motives for Outline Enrichment in Silver]

While emphasis should be placed upon simplicity of outline, certain well regulated forms of enrichment may be added to the contour and enhance the beauty of the stone. Such motives with constructive steps are shown in Figure 184 and their application in Figures 185 to 188. It will be noticed that the enrichment _invariably leads up to the stone_ which is the center of interest in the design. The ornament is likewise based upon the prominent axes of the stone.

[Sidenote: Free Outline Enrichment in Silver]

Figures 189, 190, and 191 are types of beaten and raised silver work and show characteristic forms in silver, with two examples of accented outline enrichment. As they are curvilinear forms, their design is similar in many ways to clay forms of similar proportions and uses.

INSTRUCTION SHEET

Plate 31 shows the design steps necessary to the evolution of a lamp in two materials. A full size working drawing should follow Figure D.

SUMMARY OF DESIGN STEPS

(_a_) Draw the unenriched primary ma.s.s.

(_b_) For dependent contours, locate the elements of service within the primary ma.s.s. This may be interpreted to mean rivets, screw holes, semi-precious stones, etc.

(_c_) Determine upon the portion of the contours to be enriched, gauged by its need for grace, lightness, and variety.

This enrichment is preferably concentrated at the following points: edges, corners, appendages, intermediate points, terminals, links, and details. These points may be combined provided the result does not violate the simplicity of the structural lines.

(_d_) Draw the enrichment in the predetermined area, causing it to be in harmony with such interior functional parts as screw holes, rivets, semi-precious stones, etc. Utilize suggested curves.

(_e_) Review all of the contour curves added to the design. Are they feeble compa.s.s curves or do they have the character of long sweeping curves with short "snappy" turns for variety?

(_f_) Test the entire design for unity. Does the eye move smoothly through all parts of the contour? Does the design "hold together"? Are all links and appendages joined to the primary ma.s.s in a graceful tangential manner?

(_g_) Dimension, add additional views, and details, if necessary, and otherwise prepare the drawing for shop use.

SUGGESTED PROBLEMS

Design an electric table lamp with square copper rod as a support, feet, and copper shade.

Design a hinge for a cedar chest.

SUMMARY OF RULES

Rule 5f. _Dependent outline enrichment should be related to essential parts of a design and influenced by their forms and functions; it must be consistent with the idea of the subject._

Rule 5g. _A curve should join a straight line with either a tangential or right angle junction._

REVIEW QUESTIONS

1. Contrast contour enrichment of wood, clay, and metal.

2. Define free and dependent outline in contour enrichment of base metal.

3. Describe and explain the use of the Ionic volute in contour enrichment of metal.

4. Define and present ill.u.s.trations of contour enrichment designed for edges, corners, appendages, intermediate points, terminals, links, and other details in base metal.

5. Define and ill.u.s.trate free and dependent contour enrichment of precious metal.

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIGURE 190a.--Union of Outline Enrichment on Clay and Metal]

CHAPTER IX

SURFACE ENRICHMENT OF SMALL PRIMARY Ma.s.sES IN WOOD

With this chapter we enter upon a consideration of the third and last major division of Industrial Arts Design, that of Surface Enrichment.

[Sidenote: Nature and Need of Surface Enrichment]

We have considered in previous chapters the subject of contour or outline enrichment. Now consider for a moment the fact that articles such as a square box, or tile, are not suited to outline enrichment, yet they have large, flat, and rather monotonous surfaces capable of decoration. It is readily seen that such surfaces will admit of further elaboration which we will distinguish from contour enrichment by using the term Surface Enrichment. As in contour enrichment, so in surface enrichment, the added element of design not only increases the beauty of the object but it likewise, if properly applied, gives apparent added strength to the structure.

Rule 6a. _Surfaces to be enriched must admit of enrichment._

[Sidenote: When and Where to Enrich a Surface]

Strictly utilitarian articles should not be ornamented by surface enrichment. As an example, a wooden mixing spoon, bowl, or wooden knife handle should not be enriched by carving, as the carving would interfere with the proper cleansing of the article. A surface exposed to considerable wear should not be enriched. Objects not strictly in the utilitarian cla.s.s, such as a paper knife, book stall, envelope holder, or library table may be appropriately enriched in an unostentatious manner so that they will harmonize with their surroundings. But the enrichment should first be placed upon the surface in such a manner that it will not interfere with the functional use of the article for service. Large projections upon the back of a chair or upon the handle of a paper cutter are unpleasant and interfere with intended uses.

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIGURE 191a.--Structure Obscured by Surface and Contour Enrichment]

Rule 6b. _Surface enrichment must be related to the structural contours but must not obscure the actual structure._

Careful consideration should be given to the often-mentioned law that the surface enrichment must be thoroughly related to structure and contour but not so as to obscure either. We must keep in mind the fact that it is necessary to support the structure, not to cover it up by related ornament, as in Figure 191a.

[Sidenote: Conservative Use of Ornament]

Most critics of industrial design complain of an overwhelming desire upon the part of the designer to over-decorate the structure. Surface enrichment runs wild over steam radiators, stoves, and wooden rocking chairs. Reserve is the watchword recommended as of extreme importance.

The ill.u.s.trations in this chapter are restricted to a limited range of design motives for the express purpose of simplifying the number of recommended methods.

Rule 6c. _The treatment must be appropriate to the material._

[Sidenote: Relation of Enrichment to Material]