Proportion is the principle of design that involves a pleasing relationship between all parts of the design in relation to each other and to the whole. Proportion is determined by distances, sizes, amounts, degrees or parts. This principle may include:
The planning of the basic shapes within a design, whether to use a geometric, free form, abstract or naturalistic shape:Planning the basic shape With each of the principles of design there are no rigid laws that can or should be applied in the development of design. There are suggestions, which might aid the student in developing sensitivity for good design. Every time two or more things are put together, proportions are established, whether good or bad. Some people have instinct for good proportion and whatever combination they plan, are sure to please the eye. But most people acquire this trait. One must refrain from too much repetition and know when to introduce variety to add interest. Odd numbers are more interesting than even numbers e.g. a flower with 5 petals will look more interesting than a flower with 4 petals. In general shapes that are just as wide as they are tall may not be as pleasing as those that vary in their horizontal and vertical measurements. In making a decorative design shapes and forms being used should have a pleasing ratio between all measurements to avoid too much sameness or too much variety. Completed design should have a quality of uniqueness with the feeling of beauty. It should also be suitable for the purpose; for which it was designed e.g. fabric designed for a saree should look like a saree, and not like a bed cover or curtain.
The scale of the forms within the design, whether to use large forms, small ones, medium ones or a combination of these: Scale of objects or forms It is an important aspect of principle of proportion. Scale means that (1) the sizes of all elements making up the structure have a consistent pleasing relationship to the structure and to each other and, (2) the size of the structure is in good proportion to the different objects combined with it.
Scale involves an understanding of the principle of ratio, e.g. in case of saree there are 3 structures – borders, pallav and ground or body of saree. Firstly there should be pleasing relationship between the units applied to create the design in the pallav or border or ground and again when they are combined to make a full length saree, there should be resemblance in all the parts, they should look related to each other to give a pleasing look to the whole saree. It should not be out of scale.
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