Line

I've been looking at cars a lot lately and have noticed how the cut lines or seams between the different parts affect the overall look and aesthetics of the vehicles.  Some of the cut lines run right into the lights or other shapes on the surfaces in ways that take the eye away from the surfaces and move it around the light or other shape.  In many cases those lines interfere with the movement of the eye across the surfaces of the vehicle.

      When looking at the sides of most vehicles there is an obvious continuity from the very front to the very rear.  Lines for the doors, gas caps and other openings minimally detract from the unity of those surfaces.  Its when the cut lines are near the ends that there are aesthetic issues.
      When designing vehicles I have a hunch that the overall form is designed first.  In many cases the overall form of vehicles is well thought out.  Its the shapes of the lights, handles and openings along with the cut lines that have little sympathy to those physical surfaces and interfere with the overall unity of the designs that cause the most aesthetic problems.
       The surface above the wheel on this vehicle continues from the rear all the way to the front of the car. But the line running along the top of the headlight into the wheel opening cuts that surface right in its narrowest area.  The weight or importance of that line is strengthened by running right into the top of the head light.  It pulls the eye around the top of the light and around the front edge of the hood visually separating the front portion of the fender from the rest of the side of the vehicle.

      If car stylists put those cut lines into their designs earlier in the design process they would be able to better adjust them in support of the overall aesthetics of their designs.

Introduction

      This is my first time blogging. I've been teaching and doing research in the areas of styling and aesthetics for over 20 years.  I've many ideas and reactions about the aesthetics of design and will be posting them periodically on this site.  Those postings will discuss the theoretical and my reactions to the aesthetics and styling of new or existing product, transportation, interior and architectural 
designs.
      In order to understand a little more about the basis of my comments you can visit my web site at http://pratt.edu/~mskalski.  On that site you'll find information about me, the classes I teach, the theory behind the classes, corporate projects I've carried out at Pratt and designs that I've executed over the years.
      Once I get the operation of this blog site figured out I'll begin posting comprehensive statements with photographs and illustrations.
      I look forward to any comments or ideas readers of this blog have and will respond quickly and thoughtfully.