Ill-proportioned

Describing something that lacks a harmonious or balanced relationship between its parts; the size, shape, or arrangement of elements are unappealing or aesthetically displeasing due to their disproportion. Often implies a lack of symmetry or an awkward distribution of mass or features. This imbalance can occur in objects, buildings, art, or even within the physical characteristics of a person. It suggests a deviation from what is considered ideal or visually pleasing in terms of scale, size, and relative dimensions. The overall effect creates a sense of awkwardness or an unsightliness.

Ill-proportioned meaning with examples

• The architect's initial sketches revealed an ill-proportioned building. The tower was too tall for its base, making it appear unstable and visually jarring. Its windows were irregularly spaced and varied greatly in size. These glaring design flaws led to the project's rejection, demonstrating the critical importance of aesthetic harmony and balanced dimensions in architecture. The developers eventually revised the plans and implemented an improved, more balanced approach, which created a more appealing design.
• Her attempt to sew a dress resulted in an ill-proportioned garment. The skirt was excessively voluminous for the slim bodice, making the overall shape seem distorted. The sleeves were too long and awkwardly gathered at the shoulder, compounding the uneven appearance. Despite her best intentions, the resulting dress was a testament to the importance of understanding pattern design and tailoring techniques to achieve balance in garment construction and the effective use of fabric.
• The sculptor's early work was often criticized for producing ill-proportioned figures. Their limbs were frequently too short or too long, and the heads appeared unusually large or small relative to the body. This resulted in a distorted representation of the human form. After years of practice, a better understanding of anatomy and the golden ratio was incorporated, resulting in creations with significantly improved proportions, reflecting a more masterful execution.
• Looking at the modern art piece, with its strangely angled components, the viewer found the overall presentation ill-proportioned. The relationship of the primary and secondary structures seemed out of sync. There was an awkwardness to the spacing, leading to an uneven distribution of visual weight. While abstract art often pushes boundaries, its perceived aesthetics sometimes suffer due to the inherent nature of imbalance, resulting in an undesirable presentation.