UNIT II: VISUALIZATION & REPRESENTATION
Freehand Drawing
Isometric Drawing
Perspective Drawing
Technical Drawing
Basic Geometry (2 and 3 Dimensional)
Drawing as a form of communication
Drawing was used as a specialized form of communication before the advent of
written language. The Below images demonstrate the cave and rock painting.
ENTOPICA GRAPHOMANIA
The exercise is based on a surrealist game.
1. Grab a sheet of paper- It can be an old paper back book or anything with markings.
2. Place dots on specific words or letters.
3. Choose your set of marks and letters.
4. Connect the dots with curved , zigzag or straight lines.
Masters of Linear Perspective
This ability to add depth and space to a two-dimensional surface appealed to
the Renaissance painters of the 15th century who valued new artistic
techniques and advances in mathematics — thus, it makes sense that some of
the best-known Renaissance artists were also masters of linear perspective. One
such artist is Leonardo da Vinci, who strove to create paintings that accurately
resembled the real world. In his writings, da Vinci claimed that “perspective is
nothing else than the vision of a scene behind a flat and clear glass…” Like his
contemporaries, da Vinci saw his paintings not simply as a representation of our
world, but as an open window through which his viewers could look.
Mastery of linear perspective wasn’t limited to the Italian Renaissance. Jan van
Eyck, a Netherlandish painter and key figure of the Early Northern Renaissance,
is also known for his skilled use of linear perspective. Van Eyck’s atmospheric
perspective (detailed below) predates that of da Vinci’s by almost 50 years.
What is Linear Perspective?
Linear perspective is a technique used by artists to create
the illusion of depth and space using relative size and
position of a group of objects. To achieve this effect, there
are three essential components needed in creating a
painting or drawing using linear perspective:
1.Orthogonals (also known as parallel lines)
2.Vanishing point
3.Horizon line
Using these components, it is possible to arrange the
composition of a work of art in a way similar to how the
human eye sees the world. The guiding principle for this
technique is that objects that are closer to the viewer
appear to be larger, where objects that are further away
appear to be smaller. In order to accomplish this, the artist
places a horizontal line across the surface of the picture,
which is known as the “horizon line.” Parallel lines
or orthogonals then converge as they recede and meet at
the vanishing point on the horizon line.
Types of Perspectives:
There are typically three types of perspective drawing: one-point perspective, two-point perspective, and three-
point perspective. Here, we break down the key elements of each, and explore how they differ from
each other.
1. One point perspective is a drawing method that shows how things appear to get smaller as they get further away,
converging towards a single ‘vanishing point’ on the horizon line. It is a way of drawing objects upon a flat piece of paper
(or other drawing surface) so that they look three-dimensional and realistic.
Drawing in one point perspective is usually appropriate when the subject is viewed ‘front-on’ (such as when looking
directly at the face of a cube or the wall of building) or when looking directly down something long, like a road or railway
track. It is popular drawing method with architects and illustrators, especially when drawing room interiors.
Rules of perspective: true shapes, vanishing points and horizon lines
In one point perspective, surfaces that face the viewer appear as their true shape, without any distortion.
They are drawn using primarily horizontal and vertical lines, as illustrated by the diagram below:
In this one point perspective photo,
surfaces facing the viewer are
undistorted and show their true
shape. For example, we see the side
of the bath, window and facing
surfaces as ordinary squares and
rectangles.
Their sides are parallel with the edges
of the photograph.
Surfaces that travel away from the viewer, on the other hand, converge towards a single ‘vanishing point‘.
This is a point that is located directly in front of the viewer’s eyes, on a ‘horizon line’ (also known as an ‘eye level line’),
as illustrated in the photo below:
it is possible to draw over
photographs to identify vanishing
points, horizon lines and true
shapes. Studying the work of famous
artists can also help you gain an
understanding of one point
perspective, as shown in the
example by Vincent van Gogh below.
Key Points:
Surfaces that face the viewer are drawn using their true shape
Surfaces that travel away from the viewer converge towards a single vanishing point
2.Two point perspective starts by defining the
horizon line. This line theoretically represents the
line that divides the sky from the ground.
However, with many perspective drawings, this
line is implied and instead represents the eye-line
or "line of sight" of the viewer.
Once the horizon line has been established, the vanishing
points are placed. The vanishing point is defined as a point
placed on the horizon line where objects begin to disappear
because of distance. A good way to think of the vanishing point
is by imagining yourself standing on a beach. Looking both directions,
you can see endlessly down the beach.
At some point, people on the beach walking away from you
will become progressively smaller until they completely disappear at the horizon
line.
With two point perspective, two vanishing points are placed on the horizon line.
These two points should be spaced out from each other to prevent distortion.
Both vanishing points need not both be within the picture plane,
just as long as they are found on the horizon line,
which continues on off of the picture plane in both directions.
The next step is to draw the corner of the object.
Most commonly, two point perspective is used for drawing buildings or interiors,
so this line could be the corner of a building. This line is drawn in between the
two vanishing points and can cross over the horizon line.
Receding lines are next drawn from each end of
the corner to each one of the vanishing points.
These lines are called orthogonal lines.
Any set of parallel lines that recede away from the
viewer will follow along these lines to one of the
vanishing points.
Parallel, vertical lines are drawn to indicate
where the building or form ends.
The closer that these lines are placed
in space to the vanishing points on either side,
the longer the form appears.
When a form is placed so that it overlaps the horizon,
no additional lines are needed to define the overall
form of the object. However, it is important to
note that additional lines do exist.
These lines are visible when the subject
is placed above the horizon line or below it.
Below the Horizon Line
For forms placed below the horizon line the steps
remain the same.
However, the top of the form will be visible.
This means that the top portion of the form will be
defined by the orthogonal lines that extend from each
end to the opposite vanishing point. Here again, some
of the lines are not visible in the finished drawing (red
lines). It is important to note that the locations of where
these lines intersect define the back corner of the cube.
Above the Horizon Line
For forms placed above the horizon line, the same steps
are followed.
In this case, the bottom portion of the form is now visible
to the viewer.
The bottom portion is defined by extending lines from
each end of the cube to the opposite vanishing point.
As is the case with the other examples, additional lines
(red lines) exist but are not visible in the finished drawing.
When complete, all lines that are no longer needed can
be erased revealing the illusion of 3D forms in space.
Adding Additional Details
Additional details can be added to a scene to create limitless possibilities.Vertical lines are drawn to indicate edges and corners,
while orthogonal lines are drawn for parallel edges that recede into space.
Three point perspective
Three-point perspective is often used for buildings seen from above (or below).
In addition to the two vanishing points from before, one for each wall,
there is now one for how the vertical lines of the walls recede. For an object seen from above,
this third vanishing point is below the ground.
Technical drawing, also known as drafting or draughting, is the act and discipline of composing plans that visually
communicate how something functions or has to be constructed. Drafting is the visual language of industry and engineering.
Technical drawings may comprise two-dimensional (orthogonal) plans, sections and elevations, or may include three-
dimensional or exploded projections. They may be drawn to scale by hand, or prepared using Computer Aided Design (CAD)
software.
There are many types of technical drawings, including: 3D drawings (isometric, perspective) • Exploded-view 3D drawings •
Complete working drawings • Detail drawings (2D orthogonal projections) .
Isometric drawing is way of presenting designs/drawings in three dimensions. In order for a design to appear three
dimensional, a 30 degree angle is applied to its sides. The cube opposite, has been drawn in isometric projection.
An exploded view is commonly used for assembly drawings to show the relationship between different components and
how they fit together. It helps understand the order of assembly of the different parts.
By slightly separating the parts an equal distance away from their original positions, a better understanding of the
finished object can be gained and parts that would normally be concealed by other parts can be seen in full.
ISOMETRIC PROJECTION
ISOMETRIC PROJECTION
Biomimicry allows designers to adapt the same solutions to the
built environment but in a fraction of the time. ... The idea of
looking to plants and animals to improve the functionality and
sustainability of humanity's creations is gaining steam in today's
architecture, design, and engineering industries.
it’s no surprise that designers, architects and engineers are taking
cues from nature when they set out to create buildings, trains,
prosthetics, robots and fashionable accessories.
The ability to squeeze through tight spaces and turn on
a dime makes the spider an ideal model for lifesaving
robots that could make their way through rubble after a
disaster to locate survivors. Normally, seeing a gigantic
arthropod making its way toward you would be
terrifying, but in this case, it would be a relief.
Researchers at Germany’s Frauenhofer Institute say
this robot can be cheaply reproduced using 3D printers.
“This high-tech assistant is still a prototype, but future
plans envision its use as an exploratory tool in
environments that are too hazardous for humans, or too
difficult to get to. After natural catastrophes and
industrial or reactor accidents, or in fire department
sorties, it can help responders, for instance by
broadcasting live images or tracking down hazards or
leaking gas.”
Pangolin backpack
Treehouses The Embryo Treehouse from
Antony Gibbon Designs is a beautifully designed
treehouse that looks like it grew from the tree itself.
The Embryo Treehouse takes that biomimicry a step
further by looking like it is an organic part of the tree.
The fastest train in the world at speeds of
up to 200 miles per hour, Japan’s
Shinkansen Bullet Train was a marvel of
modern technology. But there was one
major problem after its initial debut: noise.
Each time the train emerged from the
tunnel, it caused a change in air pressure
that caused thunder-like sounds that were a
nuisance from a quarter of a mile away. The
train’s chief engineer, a bird-watcher, had
an idea: taking inspiration from the shape
of a bird’s beak to make it more
aerodynamic. The resulting design was
based on the narrow profile of a
kingfisher’s beak, resulting in a quieter train
that also consumes 15% less electricity and
goes 10% faster than before.
For Kaylene Kau, designer of this
fascinating concept, it comes
down to study of the way
prosthetics are actually used. Says
Kau, “Through extensive research I
found that the prosthetic
functioned as an assistant to the
dominant functioning hand. The
prosthetic needed to be both
flexible and adjustable in order to
accommodate a variety of
different grips.” Tentacles provided
an ideal model, gripping objects
with a simple curling motion.
How do geckos climb up vertical
surfaces without falling off? The
secret lies within tiny little hairs
covering their toes. Researchers
have managed to
mimic the biomechanics of geck
o
feetin a pair of climbing pads
capable of supporting a human’s
weight. Each pad is covered with
adhesive tiles bearing sawtooth-
shaped polymer structures
about the width of a human hair
that create an adhesion force
when they’re pulled on.
The aesthetics and shape of a bird skull
inspired
this highly unusual, lightweight, sculptural
shoe design
by Mariek Ratsma. The Dutch designer
collaborated with architect Kostika Spaho
to create ‘Biomimicry Shoe,’ which offers
lots of support with less material for
“optimal efficiency, strength and
elegance.”
Interior architecture has also been influenced by increasing popularity of Biomimicry among
scientific branches and materials and forms in nature have begun to find themselves a place
particularly in furniture design. It is no possible to see furniture samples influenced by
microorganisms, plants or animal skeleton structure, designed precisely or amended and
produced with macro or micro-size inspiration from the nature.
The armchair, an exact copy of a lily designed by Albina Basharova.
Gaudi was a spiritual man with a great regard for nature as God’s creation. The newly consecrated Sagrada
Familia “strives to compress all of earth and heaven into its structure – endless saints, biblical scenes, symbols,
inscriptions, seashells, reptiles, birds, flowers and fruit.” according to Rowan Moore in The Observer. Gaudi even
included in his highly decorative (if sometimes pretty ugly) sculptural details, images of the animals that were going
to be displaced by the building of the huge church on the then outskirts of Barcelona. Neither are sculptural details
reproducing nature limited to the Sagrada Familia – they are widespread across Gaudi’s full range of art-in-building.
But Gaudi also realized that nature provided more than mere decoration. His structural forms mimicked those found
in nature thereby providing him with both aesthetic and functional benefits. Columns mirroring trees or human
bones, roof structures mirroring leaves, arches mirroring rib cages; all these allowed him to reduce the materials
needed to build strong structures because of the supreme functionality gained from reproducing nature’s designs.
But Gaudi also realized that nature provided more than mere decoration. His structural forms mimicked those found
in nature thereby providing him with both aesthetic and functional benefits. Columns mirroring trees or human
bones, roof structures mirroring leaves, arches mirroring rib cages; all these allowed him to reduce the materials
needed to build strong structures because of the supreme functionality gained from reproducing nature’s designs.
Gaudi transformed Barcelona into an art gallery with a celebration of life on every street. His designs were
sometimes outrageous – as outrageous as the plants and creatures inhabiting a tropical rain forest. In using natural
forms, Gaudi was, maybe, one of the first in what would be today called a sustainable architect. He understood that
nature gives us not only beauty, recreation and joie de vivre but also wisdom – something that maybe we could all
learn a bit more of today.
Iraqi-British architect Zaha Hadid (1950–2016) left an indelible mark on
the architectural landscape. Her striking structures grace the skylines
of major metropolitan cities, while her product designs, including
furniture, jewelry, lighting, and shoes, can be found in homes around
the world. The boundary-pushing designer—arguably the most famous
female architect of her time—received numerous prestigious awards
over the course of her career, including the 2004 Pritzker Architecture
Prize, the 2010 and 2011 Stirling Prize, the 2014 Design Museum
Design of the Year Award for her Heydar Aliyev Cultural Center, and the
2015 RIBA Gold Medal. Here, Architectural Digest looks back at her
amazing contributions to the field, from her futuristic buildings, such as
Beijing's Galaxy Soho, the London Aquatics Center, and the Guangzhou
Opera House, to her dazzling superyachts.
