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Basic Design: The Dynamics Of Visual Form By Maurice De Sausmarez 1964 - $10
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20 copies. 10 each. Buy 4 or more for $7 a piece. Basic Design: The Dynamics of Visual Form by Maurice de Sausmarez, first published in 1964, is a concise, influential primer on the fundamental principles of visual arts and design. Written by Maurice de Sausmarez (1915–1969), who served as Principal of the Byam Shaw School of Drawing and Painting in London, the book targets art students and educators, offering a clear introduction to the core elements of artistic design. It has remained a respected resource, still used in art colleges, and has sold approximately 200,000 copies in English by 2002. Content and Structure
Spanning 96 pages, the book systematically explores the building blocks of visual composition through text, black-and-white and color illustrations, and examples of student work from the time. It is structured around key concepts, with chapters covering:
Primary Elements and Forces: Introduces basic components like the dot, straight line, and curve, emphasizing their dynamic roles in composition.
The Two-Dimensional Field and Space Frame: Examines how these elements interact within a flat plane to create structure and balance.
Spatial Forces: Explores the perception of depth and spatial relationships on a two-dimensional surface.
Analytical Drawing: Offers practical guidance on observational drawing techniques, noted as a particularly helpful section.