Scale and proportion are related terms in that both basically refer to size. #

People will often say something is “large scale”, but we really have no idea how large “it” is without dealing with proportion. In a sense, you can not have one without the other. Scale refers to the size and proportion refers to the relative size.

A small religious painting appropriate in scale for a side chapel could be visually lost on the altar of a vast cathedral. #

Think Context

We have to remember the context of a design when we deal with scale and proportion. If we want to make a bold statement we have to consider all the surrounding elements as well. We can not just make it bigger and expect it to have the right effect. This is often referred to as “internal proportions” wherein we’re considering the size and scale of all the elements in a given design not just the element we want to stand out.

Scale can be used to draw our attention to the unexpected or exaggerated, as when small objects are magnified or large ones reduced. #

Contrast of Scale

The effect of showing normally small objects in a larger fashion, and vice versa, is enough to be visually-striking.

The deliberate changing of natural scale is not unusual in design. #

Scale Confusion

We can use the practice found in surrealism to intentionally intrigue the viewer.

Proportion is linked to ratio. We judge the proportions of something to be correct if the ratio of one element to another is correct. #

Proportion

The ancient Greeks actually had mathematical ratios to achieve “ideal proportion.” Referred to as the golden rectangle or golden ratio it states that width is to length as length is to length plus width.

Reference:
Design Basics by David A. Lauer & Stephen Pentak

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