Form and Colour Collages

Experiment

Ever since COVID hit, my home has been my workplace. I no longer have a physical separation of work (the Bukwild studio) and the creative activities I do for fun. Because of this, I am trying to be more intentional about disconnecting from my computer. I’ve recently read quite a bit on the work and principles of Bruno Munari, Karel Martens, and Wucius Wong. Their work has really inspired me to experiment with form as it pertains to shape and colour.

For a few weeks, in my downtime, I created a collage a day using only construction paper.

Below are some scans of my sketchbook plus some of my favourite experiments, annotated.

Two collages experimenting with negative space as depth. By designer Nick Barry

Three almost identical square collages on a page. Each made up of eight red or pink triangles. Some have one or two yellow triangles to bring it forward. Collage by designer Nick Barry

Two sketch book pages scanned. The left page experiments with rectangles and triangles to create a letter N. The right side is an abstract architectural piece. By designer Nick Barry

Different coloured collages scanned from a sketch book. By Designer Nick Barry

Ten collages scanned from a sketchbook. All abstract representations of physical space. Collages by Nick Barry

Different N collages representing the letter N, scanned from a sketch book. By Designer Nick Barry

More collages representing the letter N using only rectangles and squares. A more abstract and intricate lattice collage showing a lot of depth through colour, offset, and natural shadows. Collage by designer Nick Barry

A three colour collage experimenting with depth through use of colour and diagonal lines. By Designer Nick Barry

In this collage, depth is created through diagonal lines. The oldest trick in the book. Lighter and darker colours act as highlights and areas in shadow. This creates an interesting illusion of depth. It isn’t clear if the desired outcome is a shape coming towards or going away from you.

The natural shadows created by the thicker paper in this collage add dimension to the yellow layer. Whereas the orange appears more 3 dimensional due to the intentional offset red.

A collage of three independent grids in different colours creating the illusion of depth. By Designer Nick Barry

An experiment where slits are cut in a pink piece of paper. The slits get closer together nearer the center to create depth and a vanishing point. By Designer Nick Barry

Perspective is achieved in this collage through the use of gradual spacing and varying line thickness. This creates the illusion of a vanishing point or horizon.

This collage was created using three identical squares cut identically and rotated equal amounts. If relaxing your eyes and focusing on the yellow, the yellow appears to curve slightly.

Three identical pieces of paper in three varying colours. Each with slits cut in it, each rotate to create a pattern. By Designer Nick Barry

A green collage using positive and negative space to create the illusion of depth. By Designer Nick Barry

Within this college, the use of positive and negative space is interesting. I believe different people will see either the green of the construction paper or the neutral of the sketchbook paper moving towards them, off the page.