A theory of pure design

by Denman Waldo Ross

Fig. 233

Arrangement “a” is less orderly than arrangement “b,” so I have acted wisely in adding the other outlines.

a

b

Fig. 234

In this case, however, I have added features without achieving any increase of Order in the composition. The order is less than it was before. The additions have no interest from the point of view of Pure Design. I may add features for the sake of variety or novelty, to give a change of feeling, a new sensation, but such motives are not the motives of Pure Design. In Pure Design our motive is, always, to achieve Order, in the hope that in so doing we may achieve a supreme instance of it which will be beautiful.

a