1. Project 1: Box Construction
Introduction to Box Structure Project
Volume and Mass Box Construction

2. Introduction
Organization
Organization, the act of bringing separate
elements together to form a unit or a structure,
is a foundational component of the design
process.
Organization implies order, or at least an
ordering, but this is not to say that design must
be orderly.
Is one version of the pictured Pink Project better
than the others?
Portia Munson.
Top: Pink Project: Table. 1995. 2' 6” x 8’ x 14'.
Center: Pink Project: Vitrines. 1995. 5' 8” x 2' 8” x 1' 1⁄2".
Bottom: Pink Project: Mound. 2006 – ongoing. approx. 6’ x 12'.

3. Balance
Actual and Implied
Balance, in the realm of three-dimensional
structure, has two faces:
•Actual balance is a phenomenon of
nature ruled by gravity, operating in real
space.
•Implied balance is a virtual or implied
condition involving one’s awareness of
actual gravity and balance, but remaining a
strictly visual experience that has more to
do with the organizational and aesthetic
factors of visual weight.
Peter Fischli and David Weiss. The Apparition. 1984.
Color photograph, 18 1⁄2“ x 14 1⁄2".

4. Symmetry
Correspondence Across A Divide
Symmetry occurs Bilateral symmetry
when there is formal •humans and animals,
correspondence on classical architecture,
opposite sides of an automobiles.
object’s central
dividing line—in •However, it is usually
simpler terms, when only seen from one
left and right sides perspective. When seen
are mirror images. from the side, most of
these objects are no
longer symmetrical.
Pierce-Arrow. Silver Arrow. 1933. Design concept Philip Wright, body
engineer James Hughes. Pierce-Arrow Motor Car Company.

5. Symmetry
Correspondence Across A Divide
Radial symmetry is based on symmetry around a central
axis. Trees, flowers, many circular patterns, and most
cylindrical configurations are radially symmetrical.
Spherical symmetry is the condition of having similar form
arranged regularly around a single point.
Ettore Sottsass. Transparent turquoise and yellow
Knotweed pollen. Microscopic view.
vase
Alioth. 1983. For Memphis, executed by Compagnia
Vetraria Muranese.

6. Asymmetry
Dynamic Form
Every balanced configuration
that is not symmetrical is asymmetrical
Asymmetry is off center, out of
whack, confrontational and dynamic.
Daniel Libeskind. Extension to the Denver Art Museum, Frederic C. Hamilton Building.

7. Harmony
Unity, Balance and Order
The following are some traditional definitions of
harmony:
• Unity; its elements form an integrated whole.
• Balanced proportion.
• A pleasing or orderly arrangement of parts.
Harmony has a diminished, but not non-existent,
role in contemporary art and design, partly because
of the numerous competing ideas and principles in
modern and contemporary design culture that are
increasingly useful and compelling.
Kay Fisker. Decanter. Silver (also octagonal tobacco jar). 1926.
Manufactured by Anton Michelsen

8. Harmony
Unity, Balance and Order
Bronze statuette of a horse. Greek, Wilhelm Wagenfeld, Dieter Rams and Gerd Alfred Muller,
Late Hellenistic, late 2nd–1st century designers. Braun record player. 1957.
BC. Bronze, 1' 3 13⁄16" high.
Plato believed that objects in the world were flawed reflections of forms that were
true and ideal, and these perfect forms could exist only in the mental realm of
ideas. Idealism within art and design, strives for a perfection that seeks deep,
essential form.

13. Homework
• Brainstorm the designs for box structure
• Sketch ideas in your sketchbook
• Bring materials: cardboard, measuring tape,
brown packaging tape or masking tape, glue
gun, glue sticks, box cutters.
• In progress critique, final critique