Design is the art of relating or unifying contrasting elements. From the standpoint of design the best possible division of any surface is one that fulfills two basic requirements of all fine designs: unity and variety.
When dividinga space into two parts one should avoid dividing the spaces into two equal parts (Fig.6.5 a & b). If both objects are the same then interest is lost and there is a danger of boredom.
Division of spaces into more than two parts involves repetition of spaces, variation of spaces or a combination of repetition with variety. Division of space both horizontally and vertically may be done mathematically planning progressively larger or smaller areas e.g. in case of striped pattern following arrangements can create various effects of space division (Fig.6.6 a to f):
Monotonous division of space, all of the same size
Variety of spacing, each one is different
Gradation of spacing small to large
Variation of spacing- narrow light spaces & wide dark spaces
Variation of spacing- dark narrow spacing and light wide spaces
Gradation of spacing small to large in both light and dark
Fig.6.6. Example of division of space into more than two parts
Space divided diagonally through the centre attracts too much attention to the corners and to the equal division of space (as shown in Fig.6.7.a). Spaces divided off-centre stimulates interest and attract more attention to the unequal shapes (as in Fig.6.7.b).
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