Visual Techniques

Lamborghini Aventador

Visual Techniques: Harmony, Complexity, Intricacy, Exaggeration, Stasis, Symmetry, Asymmetry, Balance, Boldness, Accent, Opacity, Accuracy, Depth, Sharpness, Angularity. 

Porsche GT3 RSR

Visual Techniques: Contrast, Instability, Symmetry, Complexity, Exaggeration, Activeness, Boldness, Depth, Sharpness, Roundness.

Pictured above are two different cars; A Lamborghini Aventador on the top and a Porsche GT3 RSR on the bottom. The Aventador and GT3 have a lot of similarities. Both car designs are very complex and sharp, shown through their aggressive body shape and lines. Both are painted black and have contrasting accents in black. Each car’s height, shape, and overall design is highly exaggerated and extremely bold; representing a luxurious race car. The depth on each car is shown through the different tonal changes, shape, and dimensional changes around the body.  However, they differ in that the first photo is one of stasis and the second is one of activeness. The imbalance/instability of the second photo shows movement; especially given the environment that it is photographed in. The first photograph displays stasis because of it’s environment and the angle that it is shot at. The Aventador design is one of angularity, where the GT3 design adopts a more rounded look. The content is structured through these visual techniques and is interpreted as being an extremely fast, luxurious, and aggressive car. To me the two cars express elegance, and accuracy. The designs of both of these exotic cars are meticulously designed works of art. 

Contrast

Successful Contrast

“Contrast is the counteraction to the human perceptual systems’ action toward leveling or harmony.  In the photo above, the visual design of the car as well as the environment it is in manages the contrast.  The colors red and black are very opposite and contrasting colors; one is bright and vibrant while the other is dark.  Both colors together make the car visually stand out more than if it were only one color. The contrasting colors create a pop out effect. It use of the contrasting colors also highlights certain features on the car.  Another contrast in the photo is the room that it is in.  The room is filled with disorderly art on the right, and geometric shapes on the left. The tone of the artwork on the walls also adds to the pop out effect of the car and contrasts in color and tone.  A contrast in depth is also present, shown by the narrowing walls and the artwork in the back of the room.  This also aids in the contrast of scale and proportion.

Failed Contrast

This Bugatti Veyron represents a very poor use of contrast and contributes to it being a failed design.  There is no harmony between the two colors. One color is light pink, and the other is a more intense pink with a camouflage pattern. Not only do the colors fit the car, but they also do not work well with each other.  The features of the car are hidden due to the tone of the brighter pink. The camouflage make it difficult to see any kind of defined lines and create confusion. Another feature of the car that demonstrates a lack of contrast is the wheel color. It too creates confusion and does not create any harmony. 

Movement/Motion

Implied motion means that motion is suggested, but not shown in action. The implied motion in these photos is shown through the Gestalt Law of Continuation. The Law of Continuation states that we expect lines and patterns to continue.  The pattern of the track, sides of track, and railing imply that the car is moving. The car itself is still.  Another indication of implied motion is the wheels, which show a continuous pattern. The photo also displays imbalance, which was also mentioned by Dondis. The photograph is shot in a triangular shape, which creates movement through stress. The diagonal continuous lines as well as the direction of the car show the implied movement.