Design and Composition

1. List the seven distinct phases in the design process.

1. Commitment --
   In order to create his best work the designer must seriously commit his time and energy to the show. It must be his most important project.

2. Analysis --
   The designer begins with an analysis of the script. The initial, or first, reading should introduce the designer to the story (plot, characters, theme). During the second reading he should look for conceptual images and the dramatic mood (color, line, form, texture, value) and during the third reading he should develop lists of the specific design requirements of the show (period, location - doors, windows, furniture, pools of light).

3. Research --
   The designer needs to research both (1) previous productions of the show and (2) the historical period (time) and the geographical location (setting) of the play.

4. Incubation --
   The designer needs time for his subconscious to process the data developed during the analysis and research phase. The incubation period can range from several hours to many months.

5. Selection --
   During the selection phase, the designer develops many possible solutions to the design problem. These solutions are generally in the form of small thumb nail sketches. Many ideas are considered. Most are quickly discarded. Elements from these individual sketches eventually evolve into the final design.

6. Implementation --
   Once the final design has been determined, the designer will develop the necessary working drawings (floor plan, designer elevations, painter's elevation, light plot) needed to execute the project.

7. Evaluation --
   Once the show has closed the designer will typically ask himself two questions.
   1. Did I solve the problem? Was my solution effective? Did the design work?
   2. What did I learn from this project that I can apply to future productions? What techniques have I added to my bag-of-tricks?

2. What are the seven elements of Design?

1. Line--
   The mark that connects two points. It has length and width and can be straight or curved -- jagged or serpentine.

2. Shape --
   A space enclosed by a line.

3. Mass --
   A three-dimensional shape.

4. Measure --
   The size of objects (shapes or masses) and the relative space between them.

5. Position --
   The relative location of objects.

6. Color --
   Is probably the most noticable and, perhaps, the most dominant of the design elements. Go to the color web page for definitions and examples.

7. Texture --
   The surface appearance of an object.

3. List the seven Principles of Composition.

1. Unity --
   Is created by a logical relationship between each element of the design. This logic is established by the production concept.

2. Harmony --
   The elements of a design fit together creating an orderly, congruous whole. Too much harmony produces monotony.

3. Contrast --
   The juxtaposition of dissimilar elements. Too much contrast produces visual chaos.

4. Variation --
   Varying selected design (line, shape, color) elements in a pattern.

5. Balance --
   Arranging the elements to create an equilibrium, a stability, in the design. There are two basic types of balance -- symmetrical and asymmetrical. In a symmetrical set, the left half of the stage is a mirror image of the right. In an asymmetrical design the equilibrium is produced by balancing a mass on one side of the stage with a mass on the other side.

6. Proportion --
   The relationship of the parts of an object to each other and to the total design.

7. Emphasis --
   Focusing the audiences attention to a specific object.