DS1 Visual Composition in Nature

​1. Symmetry in Nature

1. Symmetry in Nature



Bilateral symmetry: have two mirrored sides

an organism can be divided into mirror-image halves along a single plane (like humans or butterflies).



Radial symmetry: having parts arranged around a central point.

organism can be divided into similar halves around a central axis (like starfish or jellyfish).1

Poll

Which type of symmetry do you find more visually appealing?

• Bilateral symmetry

• Radial symmetry

Open Ended

Why do you think nature favors symmetry? How does it benefit organisms?”

​2. Patterns in Nature

2. Patterns in Nature



Fractals: complex structures that look similar at different scales.

In nature, fractals can be seen in patterns like snowflakes, tree branches, and mountain ranges, where each part mirrors the whole pattern.


Golden Ratios: a special number, approximately 1.618, which appears in various natural phenomena and patterns.

It's often found in the arrangement of leaves, the branching of trees, and the spirals of shells and galaxies, creating aesthetically pleasing proportions.

Open Ended

Look at your surroundings and find examples of these patterns (in your classroom, your personal items, etc.).

​3. Color and Contrast in Nature

​3. Color and Contrast in Nature

Match

Match colors found in nature with their roles

bright red colors for warning

earthy tones for camouflage

vibrant colors for attracting mates

matching color for self protection

• bright red colors for warning

• earthy tones for camouflage

• vibrant colors for attracting mates

• matching color for self protection

Why do you think certain color combinations in nature are more visually appealing than others?”

4. Repetition and Emphasis in Nature



Repetition refers to recurring patterns or structures

In nature, it is the repeated arrangement of petals in flowers or the recurring segments in animal shells.


Emphasis highlights certain features or patterns to draw attention,

Some examples include the bright coloration of a butterfly’s wings or the distinctive shape of a peacock’s tail.

​4. Repetition and Emphasis in Nature

​4. Repetition and Emphasis in Nature

4. Repetition and Emphasis in Nature

1. ​Identify a natural object from an image from your gallery or web.

2. Discuss with your partner which part of the object represents repetition and which part stands out as emphasis.

​4. Repetition and Emphasis in Nature

Open Ended

Answer the following questions based on your discussion with your partner.

How does repetition create harmony in nature? (YOU)

&

Why do you think certain features are emphasized in organisms or landscapes? (YOUR PARTNER)

1. ​Find a picture of an ecosystem (e.g., a forest, ocean scene) with different visual compositions (symmetry, patterns, color contrast).

2. Discuss with your partner which visual element you find most compelling in nature and why.

​5. Combining Visual Elements (Nature’s Aesthetics and Functionality)

Open Ended

How does nature balance aesthetic appeal with practical functionality?

Can something be beautiful and functional?”

​Bosjes Chapel / Steyn Studio, South Africa

​Salk Institute/Louis I. Kahn - La Jolla, California

Replace this with a header

Replace this text with your body text.

​Duplicate this text as many times as you would like.

​Subheader text

Go outside the classroom, and observe natural elements, like plants, trees, grass, stones, etc.
Take some pictures that depicts it

​Class Assignment

Poll

Which nature’s visual composition principles are used in this building?

• Symmetry

• Texture

• Repetition

• Proportion

La Sagrada Familia/ Antoni Gaudi - Barcelona, Spain