Radiation

Radiation is a common phenomenon in nature. Look at the flowers in bloom and you can always discover radiation patterns in the arrangements of their petals. Dropping a stone on calm waters generates concentric ripples, which also suggest a kind of radiation. In an abstract way, the sun radiates light rays; so do most luminous objects.

Radiation can have the effect of optical vibration that we find in gradation. The repetition of unit forms or structural subdivisions around a common center has to go through a gradation of directions. Therefore, radiation may also be called a special case of gradation. Sometimes the division between a gradation pattern and radiation pattern is rather vague, as in the case when the climax of a gradation pattern is located in the center.

A radiation pattern arrests the attention immediately. It is very useful when a powerful, eye-catching design is required.

[Wong, Wucius. Principals of Two-Dimensional Design. New York: Van Nostrand Reinhold Company, 1972.]

C O N S I D E R :

Radius

Movement

Direction/Directed

Centered

Spread

Outward/inward

Emit

Ray

Beam

Spoke

Line

Straight line

Extending

Transfer

Transmit/Absorb

Field or range of operation or influence

Extent

Relative orbital motion

Length of line segment joining a fixed point or origin to a given point

R  E  F  E  R  E  N  C  E  S 

Radial [< ML radiãl(is) = L radi(us) RADIUS + ãlis -AL1]1. arranged like radii or rays. 2. having elements or parts arranged like radii. 3. made or moving in the direction of a radius; going from the center outward or from the circumference inward along a radius: a radial cut. 4. Zool. pertaining to structures that radiate from a central point, as the arms of a starfish. 5. of, like, or pertaining to a radius or a ray. 6.Mach. having pistons moving inward and outward from a central point of shaft. 7. Anat. of, pertaining to, or situated near the radius. 8. Entomol. pertaining to, involving, or situated near the radius.

Radiate [< L radiãt(us) (ptp. of radiãre). See RADIANT, -ATE1]1. to spread or move like rays or radii from a center. 2. to emit rays, as of light or heat; irradiate. 3. to issue or proceed in rays. 4. (of persons) to project cheerfulness, joy, etc. -v.t. 5. to emit in rays; disseminate, as from a center. 6. to project (joy, good will, etc.). as cheerful persons. -adj. 7. radiating from a center. 8. having rays proceeding from a central point or part. 9. having radial symmetry.

Radius [< L: staff, rod, spoke, beam; see Ray1]1. a straight line extending from the center of a circle or sphere to the circumference or surface. 2. the length of such a line. 3. any radial or radiating part. 4. a circular area of an extent indicated by the length of the radius or its circumscribing circle. 5. field or range of operation or influence. 6. extent of possible operation, travel, etc., as under a single supply of fu el. 7 . Anat. the bone of the forearm on the thumb side. Cf. ulna (def. 1). 8. Zool. a corresponding bone in the forelimb of other vertebrates. 9. Entomol. one of the principal longitudinal veins in the anterior portion of the wing of an insect.

Radius Vector . . . 1. Math. the length of the line segment joining a fixed point or origin to a given point. 2. Astron. 1. the straight line joining two bodies in relative orbital motion, as the line from the sun to a planet at any point in its orbit. b. the distance between two such bodies at any point in the orbit.