DS1 Visual Composition in Nature

1. Symmetry in Nature



Bilateral symmetry: have two mirrored sides

an organism can be divided into mirror-image halves along a single plane (like humans or butterflies).



Radial symmetry: having parts arranged around a central point.

organism can be divided into similar halves around a central axis (like starfish or jellyfish).1

​2. Patterns in Nature

2. Patterns in Nature



Fractals: complex structures that look similar at different scales.

In nature, fractals can be seen in patterns like snowflakes, tree branches, and mountain ranges, where each part mirrors the whole pattern.


Golden Ratios: a special number, approximately 1.618, which appears in various natural phenomena and patterns.

It's often found in the arrangement of leaves, the branching of trees, and the spirals of shells and galaxies, creating aesthetically pleasing proportions.

​3. Color and Contrast in Nature

​3. Color and Contrast in Nature

4. Repetition and Emphasis in Nature



Repetition refers to recurring patterns or structures

In nature, it is the repeated arrangement of petals in flowers or the recurring segments in animal shells.


Emphasis highlights certain features or patterns to draw attention,

Some examples include the bright coloration of a butterfly’s wings or the distinctive shape of a peacock’s tail.

​4. Repetition and Emphasis in Nature

​4. Repetition and Emphasis in Nature

4. Repetition and Emphasis in Nature

1. ​Identify a natural object from an image from your gallery or web.

2. Discuss with your partner which part of the object represents repetition and which part stands out as emphasis.

​4. Repetition and Emphasis in Nature

1. ​Find a picture of an ecosystem (e.g., a forest, ocean scene) with different visual compositions (symmetry, patterns, color contrast).

2. Discuss with your partner which visual element you find most compelling in nature and why.

​5. Combining Visual Elements (Nature’s Aesthetics and Functionality)

​Bosjes Chapel / Steyn Studio, South Africa

​Salk Institute/Louis I. Kahn - La Jolla, California

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​Duplicate this text as many times as you would like.

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Go outside the classroom, and observe natural elements, like plants, trees, grass, stones, etc.
Take some pictures that depicts it

​Class Assignment

La Sagrada Familia/ Antoni Gaudi - Barcelona, Spain