The Elements of Dynamic Symmetry (Dover Art Instruction)

For the price, artists who want to study a slice of the elementary math behind projective geometry and their static creations could do a lot worse. The author (in 1919!) discovered that the Greeks used "dynamic" in Geometry to refer to ratio and proportion, which pleased him since he coined that term for his book before discovering this, but the actual translation of the word (Dunamaei) is closer to "power" -- as in X^2, bisecting the square, etc.A LOT of this little book is about spirals, proportions and bisecting rectangles. Today, "dynamic" systems in math refer to differential equations and time series that DO mimic nature-- as in population curves, birth/death sims, etc. (technically, point variance with time). This is NOT the use in this book-- symmetry is actually pretty static in the sense used here. Of course there also are over 600 primary articles on Wiki starting with the word "dynamic" so much has changed since 1919! Back then, "dynamic" in art/math meant a type of mental "animation" where, for example, repeated symmetrical bisections could produce a "golden ratio" spiral, etc.Nevertheless, I'm always pleased when Dover or any other publisher takes the risk of publishing ANY math that connects to visuals. And in fact, this one is easily comprehensible by an average High School audience. For example, it doesn't look at symmetry in today's terms at all (Group Theory), and actually doesn't even seem to realize that symmetry is the ability to rotate without changing the visual! For more advanced, but still inexpensive math on symmetry, try Chapter 7 in Stewart:  Concepts of Modern Mathematics . It takes it many steps beyond bisecting rectangles, but still doesn't go beyond advanced High School math.BTW, I'm only commenting about THIS book's perspective, NOT suggesting that artists and math don't go together. In fact, digital artists working with Maya and other 3D programs today often know as much math as an engineer, and in gaming, as much physics as a mathematician. This world is FAR different than the "great artists" of Stewart's day, who had to be concerned with ratios, but not (consciously) with beziers, fractals and splines! Bless today's young artists-- they are indeed in many cases a new breed of mathematician! If you're thinking of becoming one of them, this is a great place to start, as it's indeed quite basic, but is as much about the math (geometry) as the art.In fact, the "old" field of projective geometry, used in navigation, astronomy, etc. for centuries, almost died out as a modern subject, along with quaternions etc., until fields like Quantum Physics and Game Programming (3D computer graphics) resurrected them!Library Picks reviews only for the benefit of Amazon shoppers and has nothing to do with Amazon, the authors, manufacturers or publishers of the items we review. We always buy the items we review for the sake of objectivity, and although we search for gems, are not shy about trashing an item if it's a waste of time or money for Amazon shoppers. If the reviewer identifies herself, her job or her field, it is only as a point of reference to help you gauge the background and any biases.

A little technical but worth reading.

If you want to know the math behind Dynamic Symmetry, this is the book to get. However, if you want to know about using Dynamic Symmetry, go to YouTube.

Excellent for a deep understanding of artistic composition. An old, short and original book, about 100 years old but still very instructive and relevant for UNDERSTANDING art work composition in abundant detail.

Excellent book for all levels of artists. Best compositional study I've found. Brings new insight into how to create paintings with more interest for the viewer. Highly recommend. One that I'll be using often.

To others this book is easy to understand, for me it was a challenge. I have read several chapters at least once to understand it. I purchased this because I wanted to understand the golden mean better. It is a good book, just hard for me. I would still recommend it.

No what I was expected. Very “mathematic” for my taste.

The ideas discussed in this book have become paramount to how I approach graphic design. It is very mathy, so don't go into this as an artist and expect it will make any sense to you if you aren't comfortable with geometry, numbers, ratios, and the like.

As with reprints of older texts, this one is written with depth and academic clarity using the more widely understood technical terms of the day. it is not a fast track understanding of the subject, which is a refreshing change to read.

Hard work to get through, and quite mathematical, but thoroughly worthwhile in terms of thought provoking content to help you improve your composition.

Das Grundlagenwerk zur Dynamischen Symmetrie. Viel mehr ist dazu nicht zu sagen.Ein Punkt Abzug, weil der Autor überall mit konkreten Zahlen rechnet anstatt mit Formeln, allerdings kann man ihm das verzeihen, da er kein Mathematiker ist.

The concept has helped with my thought process for my future fine art masters;the book is challenging bordering on the intellectual

Cet ouvrage qui est relativement ancien garde l'intérêt de la singularité sur une partie du texte. Ce livre est destiné à compléter une information, plus qu'à la construire.