Industrial Arts Design Part 28

In Chapter VIII, the contour terminal enrichment problem was described at some length. Many ill.u.s.trations on Plates 58, 59, and 60 are, in a way, similar in their type of surface decoration, which is termed _surface terminal enrichment_. The "happy ending" mentioned in Chapter VIII as a suitable means of terminating the contour of a long primary ma.s.s or appendage may be similarly treated by suitable surface enrichment, particularly shown in Figures 403, 404, 407, 408, 409, and 410. The terminal is quite common as a zone of enrichment.

[Sidenote: Contour _Versus_ Surface Enrichment]

It is readily seen that when surface enrichment is the prevailing decorative theme it becomes necessary to subordinate contour enrichment to it, Rule 10b, otherwise the strife for dominance arising between these two forms of enrichment will lead to poor and ornate design, Figure 417. Whatever contour enrichment is used must be chosen to accord with the surface enrichment, Rule 10d, as noted in the preceding figures and in Figure 411. Here we find the closest connection, as the chased forms of the surface at many points merge into the contour. Thus surface and contour are bound together in unity with the surface enrichment, which maintains its dominance throughout.

The simple and dignified treatment of the fire set in Figure 413 is synonymous with the finest type of enrichment for service and beauty, Rule 11b. The peac.o.c.k motives of Figures 414 and 415 are applied to the desk set. The motives as used in this case are generally well adapted to their respective areas and inceptive axes.

[Sidenote: Surface Enrichment of Hardware, Plate 60]

Rule 11f. _Repulsive forms should not be introduced into surface enrichment._

Figure 417 is a typical example of over-ornamentation with the surface and contour enrichment struggling in deadly conflict for prominence. In the combat, the natural structural axis has been totally neglected for irrelevant and disconnected ornament. Figure 418 ill.u.s.trates correctly related surface ornament, with a dominance of the latter form, Rule 10b.

Figure 419 represents a type of decoration presumably roughened to meet the needs of service. It proves, however, to be unpleasant to the touch and unnecessary as the plain k.n.o.b is preferable in every way. The naturalistic snake motive of Figure 421 is repulsive to many people; this and similar decorative motives should be avoided in preference to the more conventionalized pattern of Figure 422, Rule 11f.

Rule 11e. _Two periods of historic ornament should not be introduced into the same design._

[Sidenote: Historic Ornament Applied to Period Hardware Design Door Plates]

It is impossible to close these chapters without reference to the influence of the great schools of architectural history upon contemporary design. There is a growing tendency for manufacturers to use period patterns in house decorations which correspond to the design of the building. A Colonial building frequently calls for Colonial hardware, a Gothic church for corresponding surface enrichment of that period.

As introductory ill.u.s.trations, Figure 423 stands as a simple example of accented (beveled) contour while Figure 424 has been accented with reminiscent moulding appropriate to Colonial architecture. They might, however, be used with many simply designed articles of furniture. From this slight indication or portion of a style, we have a more p.r.o.nounced beginning in Figure 425 with its clearly marked Greek egg and dart ornamental border. The acanthus leaf of the Byzantine school, Figure 426, changes to the geometric arabesques of the Moorish school in Figure 427. The Gothic arch, cusps, and quatrefoil of Figure 428 are changed to the cla.s.sic acanthus foliage of the French Renaissance period. Figure 429. Figures 430 and 431 are later developments of the Renaissance. The heavily enriched Flemish pattern completes our ill.u.s.trations of the use of past forms of ornamentation applied to modern designs. Only a small number from a rapidly enlarging field of period design are shown.

[Sidenote: Shallow Circular Forms, Plate 61]

With circular plates and trays, the enrichment normally takes the form of a border (marginal enrichment), with the inceptive axes or center lines of the repeated units radiating from the center of the circle.

Figures 433, 435, 436, 437, 438, and 439. An elliptical form frequently calls for handles and terminal enrichment as shown by Figure 434.

Both Figures 437 and 438 have divided points of concentration and would be materially improved by the omission of the center unit _A_. The small tree used as a connecting link in the border of Figure 437 should be reversed, as it now possesses a motion or growth contrary to the larger tree units. The contour enrichment in Figure 438 could well be omitted or moved around to support the surface enrichment. The pierced enrichment _A_, Figure 439, is incorrectly used as it is not designed to be seen from above, the normal viewpoint of the tray. The design should have been based upon the horizontal axis of the project similar to Figure 439 at _B_.

[Sidenote: Low Cylindrical Forms, Plate 62]

Differing from the shallow plate, with the increased height of the low cylindrical forms of Plate 62, there now develops the possibility of enriching the sides of this cla.s.s of project: a zone of enrichment not readily accessible in the shallow plate form. In addition to the sides there remain the appendages, quite capable of carrying enrichment to advantage. One should control the zone of enrichment in such a manner that the attention will not be equally drawn to both appendage and primary ma.s.s. Two points of enrichment, both calling for equal attention, divide the interest in the problem, and cause a lack of unity or oneness.

Rule 11d. _The eye should be attracted to one princ.i.p.al zone of enrichment, whether located upon the primary ma.s.s, appendage, terminals, links, or details. All other zones should be subordinate to this area._

[Ill.u.s.tration: SURFACE ENRICHMENT OF LARGE PRIMARY Ma.s.sES IN BASE AND PRECIOUS METAL

TREATMENT OF SHALLOW CIRCULAR FORMS

PLATE 61]

[Ill.u.s.tration: SURFACE ENRICHMENT OF LARGE PRIMARY Ma.s.sES IN BASE AND PRECIOUS METAL

TREATMENT OF LOW CIRCULAR FORMS

PLATE 62]

[Ill.u.s.tration: SURFACE ENRICHMENT OF LARGE PRIMARY Ma.s.sES IN BASE AND PRECIOUS METALS

TREATMENT OF HIGH CYLINDRICAL FORMS

PLATE 63]

Enrichment upon the appendages may be found in Figures 440, 441, 442, 445, and on the upper portion of the straight sides of the primary ma.s.s in Figures 443 and 444. The decorative units composing the border on these straight sides are designed upon the vertical element of the underlying cylindrical form as the inceptive axis. The enrichment for the appendage is well related to the contour of that member and is commonly based upon the center line of the appendage.

[Sidenote: Cylindrical Forms, Plate 63]

The principles of enriching these higher cylindrical forms in many ways closely parallel those which govern the lower cylindrical forms. The inceptive axes of the decoration on the two vases of Figures 446 and 447 may be readily a.n.a.lyzed as vertical elements of the cylinder. Figures 448 and 449 are quite rare exceptions of the accentuation of the _vertical_ lines of the cylinder. Horizontal bands similar to Figures 444 and 447 are more common interpretations of cylinder enrichment.

Figure 450 marks a successful combination of two dissimilar materials with the shade (appendage) as the dominating enriched member. Rule 10c.

The small chased bosses used as enrichment in Figure 452 are re-echoed on the several pieces of the set which binds them into collective unity.

The top portion of the primary ma.s.s seems to need some form of enrichment, as the contour adds little to the beauty of that part. The symbol _X_ could have been better located by being moved to that place.

The point of concentration should be placed in the upper portion of a large ma.s.s whenever that arrangement is possible.

It is in every way desirable that all designs should be executed full size and in full accord with the requirements of a shop working drawing.

In addition the technical rendering suggested in Chapter XIII should be carefully used in each drawing.

INSTRUCTION SHEET

Plates 68 and 72 show problems suitable for cla.s.s presentation. The method of development is similar to that presented on Plate 52.

SUMMARY OF DESIGN STEPS

(_a_) Draw a primary ma.s.s with reference to its proper grouping as follows:

For flat areas draw square, rectangle, etc.

For shallow circular forms draw a circle.

For low cylindrical forms draw a rectangle with horizontal proportions.

For high cylindrical forms draw a rectangle with vertical proportions.

(_b_) Locate zone of service.

(_c_) Locate zone of enrichment: appendages, terminals, margins, full surface, etc.

(_d_) Determine amount of enrichment.

(_e_) Locate inceptive axes.

(_f_) Place point of concentration in the inceptive axis where it traverses the zone of enrichment.

(_g_) Select the decorative process suited to the material and contemplated motive.

(_h_) Draw leading lines toward the point of concentration.

(_i_) Draw conventionalized design motives based upon the leading lines, converging toward the point of concentration.