Elements of Dynamic Symmetry [Hardcover]

Jay Hambidge (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1978 | ISBN-10: 0844621935 | ISBN-13: 978-0844621937

Originally published as a series of lessons in Hambidge's magazine, The Diagonal, this engrossing book explains all the basic principles of dynamic symmetry. Part I covers fundamental rectangles while Part II explains compound rectangles, many of which were taken from or suggested by the analysis of Greek art objects. 118 illustrations.

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Hardcover
• Publisher: Peter Smith Pub Inc (October 1978)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0844621935
• ISBN-13: 978-0844621937
• Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #9,650,747 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

46 of 48 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A bit arcane, but very useful for artists and designers!, February 6, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Elements of Dynamic Symmetry (Dover Art Instruction) (Paperback)

Hambidge writes about design principles found in nature which can be applied to the work of the artist and designer. Since the time of the ancient Egyptians, these compositional techniques have been used to give proportion, symmetry, and beauty to buildings, sculpture, paintings, etc. Because of their complexity and rigor, the principles are no longer taught widely, but they are useful for any artist or designer interested in making compositions which appeal to humans' unconscious sense of proportion. The book is old, and a little difficult to understand, but Dover has reproduced it well.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Detail!, April 22, 2009

By 

Sheila McFather "Colorado Artist" - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Elements of Dynamic Symmetry (Dover Art Instruction) (Paperback)

I purchased this book because an artist friend of mine was using the term "dynamic symmetry" while evaluating my paintings for an art exhibit in Colorado. He concluded that my paintings were of outstanding quality, as he could see that I had used "dynamic symmetry" in all my compositions. I did not know that term, so I guess this is something I have done intuitively for many years without even realizing it. An artist friend and mentor of his was very much into this concept for his own paintings, and would "mark" his surface before beginning any drawings or applying the first stroke of paint to a canvas. Even though I have a degree in Art Education, I have never heard anyone use this term before, so I did a search and found this book. I am also very much into detail, so, fortunately, the book offers great explanation and disgrams of all the different types of symmetry that can be seen in both the natural and creative worlds. I find this book to be highly intriguing, yet very technical, so find a quiet place and be prepared to apply a great deal of concentration while reading it. I am still in the process of reading this book. I may try to "conscientiously" apply this "dynamic symmetry" to some of my artwork, once I get it all figured out, though I prefer painting intuitively. I hope this newfound knowledge will not cause me to be overly analytical when creating my own artwork or enjoying other artists' creations, but the book truly is fascinating. P.S. Break out your straight edge and compass. Doing a little drawing will help you understand these concepts more easily.

4 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Pointless!, February 22, 2011

By 

Graphic Lunatic (Bangalore, India) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Elements of Dynamic Symmetry (Dover Art Instruction) (Paperback)

This book explains in great detail the concepts of Dynamic Symmetry, but from a practical point of view, teaches you nothing. It fusses about how the Greeks used Dynamic Symmetry in their sculpture, which, supposedly, is why Greek sculpture is so fascinating, but does NOTHING to explain to me how I can use those same principles in MY design work. Though the Greeks are often mentioned, there is NOT ONE example of how these principles have been practically put to use in, say, one of their pieces of art... or anybody's work, for that matter! Not ONE example!

Just a sample: "In a root-two rectangle BD is equal to 0.7071 and BC 1.4142 and 0.7071 multiplied by 2 equals 1.4142. This is a geometrical fact of great value to design and should be carefully considered". Reading the whole book from cover to cover did not tell me how to use that thing of great value in a piece of graphic design.

Bottom Line: If you are the kind of person who likes a LOT of theoretical stuff, this is the book for you. If you actually want to learn how to use Dynamic Symmetry in your work (like I hoped to do), this is not the book.