Tool: Symmetry skill/tool
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Why is the Taj Mahal so beautiful?
You ask this question to an architect and force him/her to answer it in one word. That word would be ‘Symmetry.’
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Symmetry = Beauty
Symmetry = Pleasing proportions
Symmetry = Balance
Symmetry = Harmony
Symmetry is an important principle recurring throughout nature and human-made objects. Symmetry is all about harmony, balance, pleasing, proportions, rhythm, and equilibrium.
If symmetry is used strategically could be a powerful design tool. Designs that need more stability, a strong organized structure, and trust in its message tent to use more often symmetry design principles. Furthermore, there are four main types of symmetry, translation, rotation, reflection, and glide reflection.
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1 Translation symmetry: to move an object without rotating or reflecting it.
Example: Audi Logo, a circle, is moved in a horizontal direction three times to achieve the logo shape.
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2 Rotation symmetry: an object to turn it around and every rotation have a center and angle.
Example: Mitsubishi logo, a diamond shape, turned around clockwise twice to achieve the logo shape.
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3 Reflective symmetry: an object produce its mirror image.
Example: Chanel logo, C initial mirrored to achieve the logo shape
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4 Glide reflective symmetry: slide an object and then reflect it over a reflecting line.
Example: Fendi logo, F initial slid and reflected horizontally, later vertically to achieve the logo shape
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Symmetry is not only limited to visual design or structural design. You could see symmetry in social interaction too. In social interactions, symmetrical-interaction sends the message ‘We are all the same’ oppose to asymmetrical interaction send a message that I am special, better than you.
Example: Generally, peer relations are based on symmetry. However, power relations are mainly based on asymmetry.
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In conclusion, innovators and design thinkers must judiciously use the symmetry in communication-design, product-design, and structural-design. Furthermore, they must consider the factors of ‘symmetry in social interaction’ aspects while designing retail and public spaces too.
