Directions:You can draw this exercise manually (with a compass) or on the computer if you wish. Start with a rectangle. Place five circles in the rectangle in a beautiful way. They can overlap each other if you wish. They can extend outside of the rectangle if you wish.
BUT:
1. No two circles can be the same size.
2. No distances between two circles can be the same size.
3. No two distances between any circles or any edge of the rectangle can be the same (Every single measurable distance within the rectangle should be unique, except, of course, for the sides of the rectangle itself.
4. Three circles should not intersect or come too close to intersecting at the same place. This creates an eye trap.
5. No two circles should just barely touch each other or come too close to just barely touching each other. This creates an eye trap.
I have provided you with two bad examples. Most of the errors are pointed out with red arrows. It's your job to create a good example.
There is a lot to learn from this exercise. First of all, repeated shapes in odd numbers is often a good design principle. Secondly, it is often a good idea to vary the shapes--in this case, by using different sizes. Thirdly, the placement of the shapes within the composition is essential. Of course, rules are made to be broken, but unless you are purposefully going for symmetry, use of non-equal distances is a good design principle. Fourth, if you want to avoid eye traps in a composition, you know how. If you want to CREATE eye traps, you also know how.
When you are finished with your composition, email me a scan or photograph.
