Sunday, February 20, 2011

You Can Design Wonky

Part 1






















There is an easy way for you to turn an old block design into a new one of your own. You change it into a wonky block by changing its grid dimensions.

Let's see how it's done.

This simple block is designed on a grid with regular spacing in both directions.

When it's repeated, it is pleasant but not exciting.




What if the spacing of the grid gets larger from left to right and from top to bottom?

The result is a new block with a greater variety of shapes.



When this new block is repeated it creates several different negative shapes and exhibits more visual movement. It is more interesting.


There are things that can be done with the new block that can't be done with the old one. The original block was the same right-side up, upside-down, or on its side. The new block changes as you rotate it.

This results in even more variety and movement.


Wonky blocks are not as staid and sedate as the blocks they are derived from.  They are lively and active. They draw attention to themselves. They are fun.



There are all sorts of old traditional blocks that are just waiting for you to give them new life by turning them into wonky blocks.


For more examples of wonky blocks go to my Posts by Subject in the sidebar on the right and click on Wonky Blocks.

No comments:

Post a Comment