Abstract

There are two foci in this study. The first focus is the comparisons of the artistic backgrounds and the philosophical concepts between the Chinese Yin-Yang and the Western symmetric systems. The second focus is on the formulation of the Yin-Yang two-dimensional design model with applications. ;The development of Western art followed Greek and Roman artistic traditions emphasizing empirical observation and the analytical and logical approach to art. In contrast, the development of Chinese art traditionally focused on the spirit underneath the outward appearance and derived from the intuitive mind. The origin of the Yin-Yang system could be traced back to the text of the I Ching, and the origin of the symmetric system derived from Pythagoras' teachings. Both the I Ching and Pythagoras' teachings contained the concepts that polarity and numbers were the principles that influenced the formulation of the universe. However, the Yin-Yang system relied on the harmonious concept of polarity, while the symmetric system relied on the concept of numbers. Both systems envolved from prescientific eras and had mystic implications during their historical development, but the Yin-Yang system differed from the symmetric system by having moral implications. The Yin-Yang principle influenced the way of generating new designing formats of two-dimensional design. ;The Yin-Yang model for two-dimensional design developed in the study is divided into three parts: the design participants' relationship among clients, designers, and viewed in commissioned design situations, design thinking based on the Yin-Yang principle, and the execution of the design. The model is based on coexistent, interactive, interchangeable and mutually inclusive relationships between Yin and Yang and pursues the goal of harmonizing Yin and Yang. The design execution is depicted in a design matrix which contains three divisions: Figure Dimensions , Design Elements, and Design Principles. The design matrix provides a way to perceive all combinations of the three divisions that allow the full scope of Yin-Yang ranging from one extreme to the other