Nail Design Using Korean Traditional Geummoon Patterns

Abstract

This research aims to develop design motifs for nail art and suggest nail-art design applying traditional geummoon designs to diversify the expression method. The history, origin, characteristics and types of traditional pattern are investigated through literature survey. Subsequently, by classifying traditional patterns, symbolism, physical factors and characteristics of the geummoon design style are all considered deeply. In order to apply this to nail design, the pattern of original images from real antiquities was selected and then used in the art work by simplifying the pattern after motif analysis. The standard color of Korean tradition is selected for the expression of a traditional sense and combined with a design pattern. After this, a total of 4 nail designs were created, materialized by illustration. In the results of research, first, the circle can express the feeling of movement and rhythm without discontinuity combining with the curve. Second, the curve pattern in a triangle frame by combining a triangle with a circle creates the optical illusions that nails having two dimensions are shown as three dimensional and was able to express an irregular geometrical beauty. Third, a sequential pattern consisted of rectangular and parallel lines and grid lines could express Korean simple aesthetic quality effectively. Fourth, the hexagon could create a natural balanced beauty and express spatial proportional beauty by arrangement of the pattern combined with figures. In this way, the Korean traditional patterns by nail design considering the geometrical shapes of geummoon can be used as modern nail designs. If its expression method is changed using structure, array, color and shape, it has been shown that it can be recreated as a popular beauty item to highlight a Korean trend image. Trying to express traditional beauty using nail design is the same as searching for both the success and modernization of traditional culture, and is able to be the basis of development in future-oriented design.