The diagonal line has no equal in visual intensity. It suggests depth or movement. The periphery of the eye is very sensitive to movement or to any diagonal, so it calls for complete attention from the viewer. That is why traffic signs designed to warn of hazards are diamond shaped, using diagonals.
Vertical and horizontal lines infer a static or decorative visual condition. An example is a top hat. It appears taller than it is broad, but this is an illusion.
In architecture, the Parthenon in Athens is said not to have a straight line in it. In fact, curved lines are used in many cases to make the straight lines appear straighter. For example, there are three terraces at the bottom of the Parthenon. If they were not curved, they would appear to sag, as they are three inches higher in the middle than at the ends. The builders of the Parthenon placed all the horizontal lines at the bottom, the vertical lines in the middle and the diagonal lines at the top. This creates a decorative design by making the lines appear all on one plane. |
No comments:
Post a Comment