3. PRINCIPLES OF DESIGN
0 Principles of Design are the fundamental
facets of art composition.
0 Knowing and appreciating the Principles of
design are essential for the creation of
successful visual expression.
0 By utilizing the Elements and Principles, an
artist can accurately portray the intended
visual concept.
4. 0 It also gives one the ability to accurately discuss an
artwork by identifying those structural elements that
were used in the creation of the artwork.
0 Principles of design that are the language of
creating, defining & understanding art.
1.BALANCE
2.CONTRAST
3.EMPHASIS
4.PROPORTION
5.PATTERN
6.RHYTHM/ MOVEMENT
7.VARIETY
8.UNITY/HARMONY
5.
6. 0 Balance is a feeling of visual equality in shape,
form, value, color, etc. Balance can be symmetrical
or evenly balanced or asymmetrical and un-evenly
balanced. Objects, values, colors, textures, shapes,
forms, etc., can be used in creating a balance in a
composition.
7. CONTRAST
0 Contrast refers to the arrangement of opposite
elements (light vs. dark colors, rough vs. smooth
textures, large vs. small shapes, etc.) in a piece so
as to create visual interest, excitement and drama.
8. EMPHASIS
0 Emphasis (center of interest) is an area that first
attracts attention in a composition. This area is
more important when compared to the other objects
or elements in a composition. This can be by
contrast of values, more colors, and placement in
the format.
9. PROPORTION
0 Proportion refers to the relative size and scale of
the various elements in a design. The issue is the
relationship between objects, or parts, of a whole.
10. PATTERN
0 Repeating visual elements such as line, color,
shape, texture, value or image tends to unify the
total effect of a work of art as well as create rhythm.
Repetition can take the form of an exact duplication
(pattern), a near duplication, or duplication with
variety.
11. RHYTHM/ MOVEMENT
0 Rhythm: a movement in which some elements
recurs regularly. Like a dance it will have a flow of
objects that will seem to be like the beat of music.
0 Movement: is the path the viewer’s eye takes
through the artwork, often to a focal area. It can be
directed along lines, edges, shapes and color.
Movement is closely tied to rhythm.
12. VARIETY
0 Variety is often obtained through the use of
diversity and change by artists who wish to increase
the visual interest of their work. An artwork which
makes use of many different hues, values, lines,
textures, and shapes would reflect the artist's desire
for variety. Unity is the principle which is its variety's
opposite; but when there is too little variety, the
result is monotony.
13. UNITY/HARMONY
0 Unity: occurs when all of the elements of a piece
combine to make a balanced, harmonious,
complete whole. Unity is another of those hard-to-
describe art terms but, when it's present, your eye
and brain are pleased to see it.
0 Harmony: brings together a composition with
similar units. If your composition was using wavy
lines and organic shapes you would stay with those
types of lines and not put in just one geometric
shape. (Notice how similar Harmony is to Unity)
