A theory of pure design

by Denman Waldo Ross

This is an example.

Arcs having the same length but varying in both radius and angle may be felt to be in Measure-Harmony. It is doubtful, however, whether lines of the same length but of very different curvatures will be felt to correspond. If the correspondence of lengths is not felt, visually, it has no interest or value from the point of view of Pure Design.

68. Any line may be continued in a repetition or repetitions of its shape, whatever the shape is, producing what I call a Linear Progression. In the repetitions we have Shape-Harmony.

Fig. 77

This is an example of Linear Progression. The character of the progression is determined by the shape-motive which is repeated in it.

69. The repetition of a certain shape-motive in a line is not, necessarily, a repetition in the same measure or scale. A repetition of the same shape in the same measure means Measure and Shape-Harmony in the progression. A repetition of the same shape in different measures means Shape-Harmony without Measure-Harmony.

Fig. 78

Here we have the repetition of a certain shape in a line, in a progression of measures. That gives us Shape-Harmony and a Harmony of Proportions, without Measure-Harmony.