design analysis essay

DES 201 Design, Cultural Traditions and the Environment spring 2016

department of design, cvpa, syracuse university

Below are the 10 terms you will be tested on in class (4/5), and their definitions.

Remember that you will be expected to know which society – Early Medieval European, or Islamic – is most closely associated with each (although organic form and abstraction are seen in the decorative design of each culture).

1. a) Aniconic – Art or design which does not involve/allow depictions of animals or especially people.

contrast with:

b)Figural (or Figurative) – Art or design involving images of humans or animals (see also, Animal Style).

2. a) Abstract – Non-representational form or imagery; use of forms not recognizable from the actual/natural world

contrast with:

b) Representational – Art or design involving depictions of beings or things as seen in the actual/natural world

3. a) Geometric – Forms/compositions using symmetrically repeated, straight-line segments or arcs, and angles

contrast with:

b) Organic – Forms/compositions using asymmetrical, varied, curvilinear and/or irregular forms

4. a) Animal Style – A style of art and design using representational, figural imagery in the form of dynamic, often

ferocious or violent animal forms, often intertwined w/ other animal forms in complex compositions

usually combined with:

b) Interlace (or Ribbon Interlace) – A style of art and design using interwoven, curving, linear forms (like vines)

5. a) Modular – Art or design using a regularly repeated module (basic unit) to make a larger form or composition; modules may be geometric or organic in form, but geometric patterns are modular (geom. modules).

often combined with:

b) Arabesque – Graceful curvilinear form with a gentle back-and-forth undulation – like Arabic lettering; often used

with plant-form or even geometric modules in decorative patterns.