i know that this might be an odd question, but what is the difference between a diorama and a vignette?

A vignette is created to put/show the vehicle/figure in focus, while a diorama is supposed to "tell a story".

Erik

thanks man
i know understand what i'm building

Depends on who is defining. In most competitive cases, a vignette is figure based with no vehicles and may, in fact, tell a story. This is considered a vignette

While this would not

And this, though a small composition, would be a diorama

According to Merriam-Webster a vignette s defined as (noun):

1 : a running ornament (as of vine leaves, tendrils, and grapes) put on or just before a title page or at the beginning or end of a chapter; also : a small decorative design or picture so placed
2 a : a picture (as an engraving or photograph) that shades off gradually into the surrounding paper b : the pictorial part of a postage stamp design as distinguished from the frame and lettering
3 a : a short descriptive literary sketch b : a brief incident or scene (as in a play or movie)

or (verb):

1 : to finish (as a photograph) like a vignette
2 : to describe briefly

While a diorama (noun) is:

1 : a scenic representation in which a partly translucent painting is seen from a distance through an opening
2 a : a scenic representation in which sculptured figures and lifelike details are displayed usually in miniature so as to blend indistinguishably with a realistic painted background b : a life-size exhibit (as of a wildlife specimen or scene) with realistic natural surroundings and a painted background

There, that should confuse the heck out of everyone!

Jim

Depends on the show - IPMS or local - lol :-) :-)

Such a wide range of answers! Man I love this website!!!!!!!

me too, i dont post often but i sure learn alot!

Hi,

It's funny how I actually had the exact same question and I was going to post it some time tonight.

Thanks for posting the question and, great answers. I too surely learn quite a bit here.

Thanks all,

Rob

I'd say :

vignette : small, no vehicles. The base (how elaborate it may be) functions only as a backdrop for the main focus : the figure(s). Therefore there usually ain't much of free space around the figure(s).

diorama : bit bigger, usually with figures ánd vehicles. More 'open' spaces'. The base/groundwork can play a part in the story the creator wants to tell.


I remember that long ago there has been a discussion about this item on this forum. Maybe you can find it back.

The most generic or generally accepted definition of "vignette" is that it's a small display featuring figures, and no full vehicles.

From there it tends to get grey in terms of story or no story, photo or instance in time, and the number of figures.

Diorama tends to be everything that else that is either mounted to a base or has groundwork... again, there is plenty of grey

IMHO a vignette is merely a category or sub-class of the general diorama grouping... but hey, what do I know?

Last comment... generally you'll find dioramas here on Armorama, and mostly vignettes on Historicus Forma

I'm in Tarok's camp on this one as far as general definition.
As far as competition goes,why not lump all dios and vignettes into one class called "Scale Model Scenes" and judge them from there on detail,accuracy,quality of workmanship,etc.?OK, a little,but is closely related.
Cheers for non-hair splitting!

Hi all
I must agree with Rick and Rudi

Classically speaking, dioramas were boxed affairs with a viewing window, giving access to a detailed interior, much like a small theatre. Modern interpretations have progressed to a free standing base with groundwork, vehicles and figures.

Vignettes are specific to figures and usually include only these, as such.

Nice to see such interest in an ' interesting' question.

Regards
Garth

In an open competition (Gold/Silver/Bronze) that would be workable, but in an IPMS style (First, Second, Third) you have the two person scene on a six square inch base up against a city block with multiple figures and vehicles. With equal workmanship, the small scene would always loose out to the large scene in the IPMS style contest. In open, of course, they could both take gold.

Doesn't IPMS allow for ties? I think the smaller one would have the advantage as holding quality level throughout the table size dio would be extremely tough to do.Heck,give the deserving table size dio a special award for effort if deserving,but not spot on in IPMS world.
Trophys shouldn't be common,but they shouldn't be endangered species-rare either.

And how big of an argument you are willing to get in to.

I tend to use a long used addage that has served me well...

Vignette - composition (regardless of size or subject) that conveys a SINGLE specific thought... for example, a boy waving a flag, and captive by a stream, of a soldier drinking coffee...

Diorama - a composition that is comprised of several smaller focus areas that together tell a larger story.

It is the content of the thought - not the size or materials.