Direction
Elements of Design
The element of direction offers basically three options- horizontal, vertical or oblique.
​
The dominant direction in an artwork has a powerful influence over the atmosphere generated by the work. It is an element that is easily overlooked, but when taken advantage of, is an extremely useful tool.
​
Notre Dame de Paris – Eastern Facade
​
​
The dominant vertical direction seen in Notre Dame de Paris gives a feeling of lightness, balance and elegance. The open flying buttresses and steeply pitched turrets defy the solid stone construction and make the building appear to be floating upwards.
​
Houses of Parliament -London, Charles Barry – 1840
​
​
The British Houses of Parliament employ the same vertical gothic thrust but, with the addition of a dominant horizontal direction, the feeling is more of power, solidity and permanence.
​
30 St Mary Axe – London, Foster and Partners, 2004
​
​
30 St Mary Axe in London takes sweeping diagonal lines spiralling to its apex to give the building a strong upward thrust and dynamic animated character of power and movement.
​
The same change in character can be seen in the following three photographs. The subject is the same in each, the change in directional emphasis creates a different atmosphere in each image.
​
Dominant Vertical Direction
​
​
​
​
Dominant Horizontal Direction
​
​
​
​
Dominant Diagonal Direction
​
​
The vertical emphasis in the first image gives a feeling of orderly formality the second horizontal emphasis feels calm and stable while the third diagonal emphasis feels active and animated.
​
Direction is an element that should be considered and controlled in a design. Emphasise the direction that reinforces the atmosphere you are trying to generate.