Notan The dark-light principle of design

by Dorr Bothwell

As a guiding principle of Eastern art and design, Notan (a Japanese word meaning dark-light) focuses on the interaction between positive and negative space, a relationship embodied in the ancient symbolism of the Yang and the Yin. In composition, it recognizes the separate but equally important identity of both a shape and its background.Since their introduction in the West, the intriguing exercises associated with Notan have produced striking results in every branch of Western art and design. This book, by two American artists and teachers who made an intensive study of Notan, was the first basic book on the subject in the West, and it remains one of the definitive texts. Through a series of simple exercises, it places the extraordinary creative resources of Notan easily within the grasp of Western artists and designers.Clearly and concisely, the authors demonstrate Notan's practical applications in six problems of progressive difficulty — creative exercises that will fascinate artists and designers of every calling and level of expertise. Along with these exercises, the book includes many illustrations of the principle of Notan, among them images as diverse as a sculpture by David Smith, a Samoan tapa cloth, a Museum of Modern Art shopping bag, New England gravestone rubbings, Japanese wrapping paper, a painting by Robert Motherwell, a psychedelic poster, and a carved and dyed Nigerian calabash. Painters, sculptors, potters, jewelry, and textile designers, architects, and interior designers all will discover — or rediscover — in these pages an ancient principle of composition that can help them meet creative challenges with fresh new perspective.

Genres: Art, Nonfiction, Design, Reference

79 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1977

Reviews

[Kerfe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just as the title says: a book about the use of light and dark in design, and how to create balance with color and shape. Solid, but nothing really enlightening. A few interesting exercises, along with examples of the use of positive and negative shapes in art. Although the explanations for the exercises are not that clear, it would probably be a good resource for someone teaching beginning design.

[Osamn]

its a good book descriptor the beautiful of art

[Punithmahesh · Rating 5 out of 5]

it as to read good elements for designers

[Patricia · Rating 2 out of 5]

Surprisingly few illustrations and discussions of Japanese notan.