"I am wondering if you care to weigh in on how one should place a sentiment vertically. Say, with the focal point a long flower on the left side of the card - should the sentiment be "facing" the flower or the right card edge? I have seen it both ways and wonder if there is a design standard of right or wrongness."
This set me to scratching my head, which isn't helpful at all. So I dashed to my craft space and made a couple of cards to test this conundrum.
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| Sentiment "facing" the stem |
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| Sentiment "facing" right |
I was fully prepared to pronounce strongly in favor of "facing the stem" simply because (for me) intuitively that makes the most sense. The letters have an implied ground on the stem, and by creating that relationship between the sentiment and the image, it should increase the unity of the card.
When I made these two cards, however, I found myself agnostic and unwilling to commit. The top version keeps your eye stationary on the card. That sort of static design can be fine, but I found it disconcerting in a card with so much going on. My eye wanted to move around, and the "facing" right card allows that.
Go figure. My conclusion...at least as far as the above layout is concerned...is that either way works depending on whether you prefer unity or movement.
But of course I didn't stop there. I wondered if centering the image (and simplifying the whole thing) would make a difference. Again, I expected to like the "facing" the stem version better.
Again, I feel agnostic. It may be that the "facing" the stem version simply places the sentiment just a bit too high on the stem, but I have a hard time feeling strongly in favor of either version. The conflict of movement versus unity still stands, even in the simplified cards.
So, Joanne, I think it's just a matter of personal preference.
What do you think? Does one design principle--unity or movement--win out for you? Do you have a strong personal preference, or are you agnostic, too?
Supplies
stamps: SU Summer Silhouettes, Clear and Simple (discontinued sentiment)
ink: Memento
paper: Papertrey white
accessories: dimensionals, corner rounder, Smooch, clear rhinestones colored with Copic and Sharpie markers
When I read the top paragraph I was prepared to say away because that is what I have done. However, I now realize it depends on several factors. 1) Of course, preference is #1 2) Types of stamps used (what kind of image - bold or delicate flower as the one used as well as the size and font of the sentiment 3) Placement of the images (more in the center or off on the side as well as a single layer card vs. on a mat or die cut). OK, I think I pretty much said what you said, huh, Susan?
ReplyDeleteI prefer the sentiment to face into the stem, as if it is being grounded by the stem.
ReplyDeleteI also think the fact that you are reading the sentiment "down" or "up" also plays a part.
I like reading the sentiment 'up' the stem. I am wondering if placing the upward sentiment (e.g., the last card) to the left of the stem would help? I guess I would most likely experiment as you have and see what I liked. ;-)
ReplyDeleteThat is exactly what I was thinking! When I read the sentiment my eye follows, so I end up looking at the flower head (which I prefer) rather than the ground. Placing the upward read sentiment to the left of the stem gives the sentiment a ground -- just my humble opinion
DeleteReally fun to see the difference! In both examples, I like the ones with de sentiment facing the stem the most. The sentiment facing the other side just don't feel right, in my opinion. I can't specific tell why, just a feeling. :)
ReplyDeleteWell it's an interesting one this one:-) Personally I would put the sentiment facing away from the stem but it would be on the other ( left) side reading up (more positive!) This is because the base of the letters sit better on the stem and make a design that's more sympathetic. Of course this is only my opinion :D
ReplyDeleteI usually do it by the seat of my pants LOL x
Nice cards Susan !
We might turn to calligraphy for help here. Calligraphers would think about this in relation to our (using the western alphabet) "left to right" orientation of reading. Generally, calligraphers write from bottom to top on the left side of the page and from top to bottom on the right side of the page. I definitely find the top to bottom orientation more pleasing on the right side of the stem. I guess this is because the stem "splits" the page for us.
ReplyDeleteI am strongly in favor of "facing the stem" in your examples. The other way feels like trying to read a page in a book from right to left. It just feels wrong. While I can easily read the sentiment facing the stem I had to tilt my head over to focus and read the words facing the other way. Maybe it only took me a single second to make that adjustment but it just felt "wrong".
ReplyDeleteBut that's just one gal's opinion!
Interesting and fun to read all the comments! For em, it's easier to read the sentiment from down to up. Beautiful cards!
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ReplyDeleteI prefer facing the stem but think I would like it to also be down to up facing the stem.
ReplyDeleteHMMMMM!?? Good question and a very good post on how it looks both ways. I prefer the sentiment running down, or facing the stem, feels right to my eye.
ReplyDeleteLove this post and coming from a purely preferential point I like the sentiment facing the stem-just "feels" right to me. :)
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ReplyDeleteI will often make that decision based on where I want the eye to end up....and other times I would just like to encourage the card to be opened for a surprise inside. So I think how you place it acts like a roadmap. In that case, it the answer would depend on my goal. I agree with youpersonal preference.-hugs, Audrie
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DeleteI do not know why exactly, but I prefer the text to go upwards, instead of down. More optimistic maybe?
ReplyDeleteAs you stated, I think it is a personal preference. I definitely like the cards with the words facing the stem. My eyes flow down a page which seems easier to me. Wouldn't this make an interesting psychological test. Much like the inkblot test. Wonder what this tells about a person? It is amazing though, how your cards look totally different, at least to me, depending on where the words are placed.
ReplyDeleteI like the first cards with the sayings facing the stems. It's just more pleasing to the eye for me.
ReplyDeletestamping sue
http://stampingsueinconnecticut.blogspot.com/
I like the sentiment to face the stem. I am not sure why but when it faces away from the stem, I have the feeling I am seeing it backwards. Somehow facing the stem is more comfortable or natural for my eyes.
ReplyDeleteFacing the stem and I like the first card the most! You come up with great comments post :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Susan and all you loyal blog readers for your ideas and opinions. I am leaning towards the sentiments flowing downwards and facing the stem. Now I wonder if a straight, not curvy sentiment makes a difference. Just a curious mind, I guess. LOL
ReplyDeleteLike most of the readers, I like the sentiment facing the stems, However, if it's a straight one (without the stems), then either way will be perfectly fine, too! What an interesting topic, Susan! Your examples are perfect!
ReplyDeleteI usually catch the images before I start reading, as I did this time. When I saw the second card with the sentiment facing right, my gut reaction was, "No, that's just wrong." It upset said gut, though putting the sentiment on the other side of the stem in this case would have been OK. Interestingly, it didn't seem so upsetting on the second card facing right. I don't know why the grounding image makes a difference, but it did. Still, I prefer the prefer "facing the stem," unless the sentiment went on the other side of the stem, in which case I'd prefer it with "thinking" starting at the bottom. Not much help, huh? The more I looked at them, the more comfortable I got with both of them. I had the most problem trying to figure out what "facing" meant in terms of the stamp's position. ;-)
ReplyDeleteI don't think there's really a right or wrong answer here, but from my perspective, the samples that read fron top to bottom look "right" to me. I wonder if that's because book spines are always labelled from top to bottom, so it seems natural? I also wonder if moving the upward moving sentiments to the left side of the stem would make them look more "right" to me? I suspect they would. I will definitely be paying more attention next time I see a card with a vertical sentiment!
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