2. The Principle of Unity
Unity is the hallmark of a good design. It's the final result in a
composition when all the design elements work
harmoniously together giving the viewer a satisfying sense of
belonging and relationship. Unity has been achieved when all
aspects of the design complement one another rather than
compete for attention. It serves to reinforce the relationship
between the design elements and relates them to the key
theme being expressed through a dress.
3.
4. • Unity in a composition is achieved when all of the
design principles (balance, movement, emphasis,
visual economy, contrast, proportion and space)
have been correctly applied.
• Everything selected for use in a composition must
complement the key theme and must also serve
some functional purpose within the design.
• Achieving unity in compositions will only result
from practicing, knowing and selecting the right
visual elements and using the best principles of
design to relate them.
5.
6. Unity within a well composed design
accomplishes two things:
Unity creates a sense of order. When a design
possesses unity there will be a consistency of
sizes and shapes, as well as a harmony of color
and pattern. One way this is accomplished is by
repeating the key elements, balancing them
throughout the composition, and then adding a
little variety so that the design has its own
sense of personality. Learning to juggle the
elements and principles in such a way as to
achieve the right mix is a key to good design.
7. Unity also gives elements the appearance of
completeness, that they belong together. When a
composition has unity the design will be viewed as
one piece, as a whole, and not as separate
elements with the dress. Using too many shapes
and forms may cause a design to be unfocused,
cluttered and confusing. A well organized design
will be achieved by using a basic shape which is
then repeated throughout the composition.
9. When unity is achieved:
•The individual elements with in a composition will
not be competing for attention.
•The key theme will be communicated more
clearly.
•The design will evoke a sense of completeness and
organization.
10. Some easy ways to achieve unity include:
• Similarity: Try repeating colors, shapes, values,
textures, or lines to create a visual relationship
between the elements. Repetition works to unify all
parts of a design because it creates a sense of
consistency and completeness.
• Continuity: Treat different elements in the same
manner. Continuity helps to create "family
resemblances" between different forms. This helps
to tie them together by creating an uninterrupted
connection or union.
• Alignment: Arranging shapes so that the line or edge
of one shape leads into another helps creates unity
in your design. When an element is placed in a
composition, it creates an implied horizontal and
vertical axis at its top, bottom, center and sides.
Aligning other elements to these axes creates a
visual relationship which unifies them.
11. • Proximity: Group related items together so that
these related items
are seen as one cohesive group rather than a bunch
of unrelated elements. Elements that are positioned
close to one another are perceived as being related
while elements that are farther apart are considered
less related. How close together or far apart
elements are placed in a composition suggests a
relationship (or lack of) between otherwise disparate
parts. Using a "third element" such as a road to
connect near-by elements with distant ones also
helps to create a sense of relationship between the
forms which are not grouped together.
12. IN CONCLUSION: USING
The Design Principles
This study on the design principles would not be complete
without giving some practical guidelines on the use of the
principles of design:
1. Apply the principles in every assignment either consciously
or subconsciously.
2. Don't apply the principles equally, because one may be
more important than another depending on the mood
and purpose of the design. One design may be strong in
balance, another in proportion, another in movement and
so on.
3. Try to include as many, and as much as will work of each
principle into each design.
4. You, as the designer, should always add a bit of your own
personality into your designs. Without this touch, your
work may be well designed, but lack character.
13. 5. As you become more self confident, then you should dare
to violate one or more of the principles of design to
promote growth in your creativity.
Once the designer has an objective in mind, the effective
use of the design principles of balance, movement,
emphasis, contrast, proportion, and space will aid in the
achievement of unity in a work of art. Whether an artist
uses the principles consciously or subconsciously, unity
should always be the goal of every artist.
14. Examples of the effective use of Unity:
The painting on the left creates a sense of unity by the effective use of
repetition. See how the artist has repeated similar forms (ducks) and
color (brown) throughout the composition.
On the right grouping of similar objects (proximity) was used to create
unity within this painting.
15. UNITY AT LAST SIMPLE BULLET POINTS
• Unity is the
underlying principle
that summarizes all of
the principles and
elements of design.
• It refers to
the coherence of the
whole, the sense that
all of the parts are
working together to
achieve a common
result; a harmony of
all the parts.
16. Unity can be achieved through the effective and
consistent use of any of the elements, but pattern
that is, underlying structure is the most
fundamental element for a strong sense of unity.
Consistency of form and color are also powerful
tools that can pull a composition together.
17.
18.
19. • However, unity also exists in variety. It is not
necessary for all of the elements to be identical in
form providing they have a common quality of
meaning or style.
20. For example, fashions
from a specific period
share common features
of silhouette, materials,
and color that identify the
style of the day, or the
look of a particular
designer.
21. Unity can also be a matter of concept. The elements
and principles can be selected to support the intended
function of the designed object; the purpose of the
object unifies the design.
Mark Newport – knitted super hero wearables.
23. Different details in the dining chairs add variety, while the
common shapes and colour provide unity. On the sofa, cushions
with different patterns (variety) unified by the same colours.
