CTD-105-L-5

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LESSON 5: MOTIFS

STRUCTURE

5.0 OBJECTIVES

5.1 INTRODUCTION

5.2 MOTIF

5.2.1 DEFINITION

5.3 TYPES OF MOTIFS

5.3.1 FLORAL 5.3.2 RADIAL 5.3.3 CURVILINEAR 5.3.4 GEOMETRIC 5.3.5 ABSTRACT

5.4 ASSIGNMENTS

5.4.1 CLASS ASSIGNMENTS 5.4.2 HOME ASSIGNMENTS

5.5 SUMMING UP

5.6 TERMINAL QUESTIONS

5.7 REFERENCES AND SUGGESTED FURTHER READING

5.8 GLOSSARY

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5. MOTIFS

In the previous lesson you had learnt about forms, basic geometric shapes and compositions. In the field of design, there is a natural progression from lines to shapes to motif/ design and then to compositions. In this lesson you will learn about Motifs. In the next lesson we will learn how motifs can lead to compositions.

4.0 Objectives

After going through this lesson, you will:

• Know what a motif is, and acquire an understanding of different types of motifs.

5.1 Introduction Motif is the most basic unit with the help of which a design or a composition is made. Motifs are often inspired from nature and are also closely linked to natural, cultural, religious and socio-economic factors obtaining in any society. In this lesson after defining a motif, we will learn about different types of motifs.

5.2 Motif

5.2.1 Definition

A motif is the most basic unit or the smallest unit of pattern. It has a distinct identity of its own. Each motif is usually developed from a geometrical shape or a combination of different geometrical shapes.

5.3 Types of Motifs

Motifs can be of the following types:

• Floral

• Radial

• Curvilinear

• Geometric

• Abstract

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5.3.1 Floral

These are inspired by flowers and are simple shapes from nature. These are mainly forms of flowers that are modified to a simpler form (Figs. 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 5.4).

5.3.2 Radial

These are forms that are centralized, and radiating from a central point (Figs. 5.5, 5.6).

Activity

1. Sketch a radial motif different from the ones shown in the lesson in Figs. 5.5 to 5.7.

5.3.3 Curvilinear

As the name suggests, they have curved outlines and are generally derived from floral or organic forms. They do not have angles or sharp edges (Figs. 5.8, 5.9, 5.10).

Floral Motifs

Fig. 5.3 Fig. 5.4 Fig. 5.1 Fig. 5.2

Fig. 5.6 Fig. 5.5 Fig. 5.7

Radial motifs

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5.3.4 Geometric

These motifs are based on the basic geometric shapes, such as squares, circles, rectangles and triangles. Interesting motifs can be created with them individually or in combination. They are angular and mainly made of straight lines (Figs. 5.11, 5.12, 5.13).

5.3.5 Abstract

These are stylized forms that may be combinations of geometric as well as curvilinear shape (Figs. 5.4, 5.15, 5.16).

Activity

2. Sketch a geometric motif different from the ones shown in the lesson in Figs. 5.11 to 5.13.

Curvilinear motifs

Fig. 5.9 Fig. 5.8 Fig. 5.10

Fig. 5.13 Fig. 5.12 Fig. 5.11

Geometrical motifs

Fig. 5.14 Fig. 5.15 Fig. 5.16

Abstract motifs

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5.4 Assignments

5.4.1 Class assignments

i) Draw 2 motifs each belonging to 2 different categories.

5.4.2 Home assignments

i) Collect and identify motifs from different categories by cutting from images and fabric samples. They must be put into a folder and submitted before the next class.

5.5 Summing Up

• A motif is the most basic unit or the smallest unit of pattern. It has a distinct identity of its own. Each motif develops from a geometrical shape or a combination of different geometrical shapes.

• Motifs can be of the following types: o Floral o Radial o Curvilinear o Geometric o Abstract

5.6 Terminal Questions

1. Define a ‘Motif’.

2. Name different types of motifs.

3. Curvilinear motifs have angles or sharp edges. True / False

4. Describe briefly ‘Geometric Motifs’.

5. Fill in the blanks:

i) The motifs that are centralized and radiating from a central point are called _________________.

ii) The stylized forms that may be combinations of geometric as well as curvilinear shape are called _____________________.

6. Choose the correct answer:

i) Motifs develop from:

a. dots b. lines c. colours and dyes

d. Geometrical shape or a combination of different geometrical shapes

ii) Floral motifs are:

a. Which have fragrance of flowers b. Made from flower extracts

c. Inspired by flowers and simple shapes of nature d. None of these

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5.7 References and Suggested Further Reading

1. Betala, R. 2005. Design Comprehension and Visualization. Aan Books, New Delhi.

2. Yates, M. 1998. Textile: A Hand book for designers. W.W. Norton & Co., New York.

5.9 Glossary

1. Distinct: Noticeably different

2. Identity: The fact of being who or what a thing is.

3. Radiating: Spread out from a central point

4. Centralized: A point from which something spreads or to which something is directed.

5. Organic: Something of or derived from living matter.

6. Combination: Made up of different elements

7. Stylized: Represented in an artificial style.

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