B1 Direction & Movement

Direction & Movement: There’s a difference. In the example on the left, a pattern of black dots is shaped into a line with a decidedly diagonal direction. This line also has a sense of movement. It is a bit bumpy and fairly active in addition to flowing diagonally.

The diagonal direction being expressed by the dots is entirely the result of alignment and of the dots being close enough (tension) for a sense of unity to take place. This same line of dots reinforces the overall direction (or orientation) of the canvas which is diagonal.

Movement is reflected by internal forces within the line contributing to a felt sense of advancement or progression. There is also a counterpoint or balance: an orange line which acts as an alternately diagonal, subordinate source of direction. The direction of both the dotted line and the orange line are echoed and repeated by the lightish blue strokes behind each.

Below are some examples of direction and movement: ■ Rolling Hills 2 represents horizontal and diagonal direction; triangular and curvilinear movements; ■ New Year’s Eve Ball represents diagonal, triangular and vertical directions as well as curvilinear moments of movement; ■ 77th Dakar Rally exudes cascading movement and a somewhat diagonal sense of direction; ■ DP101 Workshops poster strongly express both vertical and horizontal directions; ■ Broad to Disney sweeping curves contain a perfectly counterposed diagonal edge;  ■ President’s Message expresses movement through the aid of a fractured perspective; and ■ Cielito Lindo balances the organic, curvilinear movements within the angelic illustration against the geometric, horizontal direction of the rectangular area.