In visual communication, what we perceive as an activity is actually a static representation that thus creates an illusion of an activity. For example, are eye may see movement on a page because of the use of line or shape, however we know that the actually lines aren’t really moving. This illusion can be caused by various different elements. For example there is repetition, when several objects with a singular shared characteristic are arranged and repeated in the composition. The objects can have differences, such as form, size, color, direction, or texture. If the distance between repeated objects is identical, we then have an even frequency. Another element used to create an activity illusion in a static image is mirroring, where the light waves emanating from an object are reflected off of a surface. Another common element used is rotation, where an object is moved around a point or axis. Upscaling or downscaling is also used, where objects are enlarged or scaled down along the x-axis and the y-axis of a page. When an object is scaled or enlarged proportionately the width-to-height ratio remains constant. Because we are talking about visual images, the only true movement we see is in the real world. However it is possible to create a representation of movement in your composition. The positioning of an object can suggest forces that will influence it and move it. The direction of a movement can be defined as the line that leads from the starting point of the movement and its presumed endpoint can then define the direction of a movement.
Movement in a visual image occurs when the viewer perceives the image as actually moving in real life. In design, movement is one of my favorite techniques and elements to incorporate in my images. This “phenomenon” in the design world is an optical illusion, and can only be achieved through certain techniques. Through various forms, lines, shapes, and curves, this movement in an image can pop off of the page. Direction is an important tool, which can easily create visual movement across the page. Direction such as a diagonal line can create more visual interest and cause one’s eye to move swiftly across the composition. Also using color as a technique can enhance movement in your image. You can have stark contrast or changes in value and tone to enhance your movement in your image. Intense use of repetition can also create movement, and at some points can almost make the image look like it is buzzing or jumping off of the page. Line is probably one of the biggest tools one can use in enhancing movement in your image. Our eye naturally wants to follow a line across a page, which easily creates movement for our eye. If you look at your image and your eye jumps from spot to spot, or if it moves in a swift swipe across the page, you may have successfully created movement in your piece.
This festival poster represents the use of movement through line. The vertical lines in this image fan out at the bottom and make my eye just run up and down the page. The colors also draw my eye in and make the entire image pop off the foreground.
In this image we clearly see the use of pattern and repetition. However I think the fact that the pattern isn’t quite perfect, and the use of diagonal lines really creates a nice movement across the page. My eye is jumping around going left to right without stopping.
These two logo marks show how we can even use movement through just the use of curved lines. The lines are beautifully in control, and my eyes dance along the curves and swirl around the mark. My eyes don’t stop and the image, while static, appears to have movement, which I think makes these logo marks a success.
Sources:
http://www.educ.kent.edu/community/vlo/design/principles/movement/index.html
https://sites.google.com/site/principlesofdesignsite/home/rhythm-movement
https://www.behance.net/CasmicLab
http://www.sarahdeveydesign.co.uk/animal.html
Delving Into Design 