Emphasis

Definition: Emphasis is the part of the design that immediately captures the viewers attention. This is often achieved with a focal point that is almost always intentional.

Establishing emphasis through placement of a focal point: Fontana del Mascherone, Villa Giula in Rome, Italy.

Fontana del Mascherone, Villa Giula in Rome, Italy.

The orientation of monuments and key architecture in relation to the site was crucial in the development of the city of Rome. Persons of wealth and influence would widen roads leading to their commissioned structures. This progressional emphasis would flaunt their power and wealth. The preceding images were captured on one of my daily walks to class. The Fontana del Masherone sits at the end of t-intersection and is a focal point. Emphasis is clearly established from a distance.

Education Building at TTU in Lubbock,Texas.

Administration Building at TTU in Lubbock, Texas.

Both the Education and the Administration building at Texas Tech have a central emphasis focal point. Here too it is progressional. There is a marked difference because at TTU the path supports the emphasis whereas the flanking buildings in Rome develop the emphasis for the fountain. The results are the same with a centered focal point supported by the conditions of the site.