A theory of pure design

by Denman Waldo Ross

Fig. 13

In this case we have, not only a Harmony of Direction, as in [Fig. 7], but also a Harmony of Intervals.

Fig. 14

In this case the points are in a group and we have, as in [Fig. 11], a Harmony of Distances from the premise-point “A.” We have also a Harmony of Intervals, the distances between adjacent points being equal. We have a Harmony of Intervals, not only when the intervals are equal, but when a certain relation of intervals is repeated.

Fig. 15

The repetition of the ratio one to three in these intervals is distinctly appreciable. In the repetition we have Harmony, though we have no Harmony in the terms of the ratio itself, that is to say, no Harmony that is appreciable in the sense of vision. The fact that one and three are both multiples of one means that one and three have something in common, but inasmuch as the common divisor, one, cannot be visually appreciated, as such (I feel sure that it cannot), it has no interest or value in Pure Design.