The Principles of Design

The Principles of Design

Feel free to take notes as you go! We will use these terms ALL YEAR, and for the rest of your time in art class! So, you'll definitely benefit from jotting down what the principles are!

Prinicple #1: Balance

The visual distribution of weight through color, texture and space. Balance helps make an image feel stable.

Types of Balance

• Radial - looks like it is "radiating" out from one point. Looks "circular."

• Symmetrical (Formal) - Exactly the same on both sides! Mirror image.

• Asymmetrical (Informal) - still balanced, but not exactly the same on both sides.

How is this artwork balanced? Be ready to answer on the next slide!

Multiple Choice

How was the artwork balanced?

• Radially

• Symmetrically

• Asymmetrically

How is this artwork balanced? Be ready to answer on the next slide!

Multiple Choice

How was the artwork balanced?

• Radially

• Symmetrically

• Asymmetrically

How is this artwork balanced? Be ready to answer on the next slide!

Multiple Choice

How was the artwork balanced?

• Radially

• Symmetrically

• Asymmetrically

How is this artwork balanced? Be ready to answer on the next slide!

Multiple Choice

How was the artwork balanced?

• Radially

• Symmetrically

• Asymmetrically

How is this artwork balanced? Be ready to answer on the next slide!

Multiple Choice

How was the artwork balanced?

• Radially

• Symmetrically

• Asymmetrically

How is this artwork balanced? Be ready to answer on the next slide!

Multiple Choice

How was the artwork balanced?

• Radially

• Symmetrically

• Asymmetrically

Prinicple #2: Emphasis

An area or object within an artwork that draws attention and becomes the focal point.

What is the point of emphasis in this artwork? Be ready to answer on the next slide!

Multiple Choice

What is the point of emphasis?

• The center of the flowers

• The largest purple flower

• The white flower

What is the point of emphasis in this artwork? Be ready to answer on the next slide!

Multiple Choice

What is the point of emphasis?

• The red heart

• The little girl

• The little girl's hand

Principle #3: Movement

A principle of design used to create the look and feeling of action and to guide the viewer's eye throughout the work of art.

The way the waves are painted gives us the sense that they are moving in the painting! This is "literal" movement in the artwork.

Movement can also mean that our eyes just keep moving throughout the artwork. This artwork makes your eyes follow the swirls in the sky.

Another way an artist can show movement is to trick your eyes into thinking the artwork is really moving, even though it isn't! This is called optical illusion art, or "op art."

Multiple Choice

So, what is movement?

• It means that the artwork was emotionally moving to you. It elicited an emotional response.

• It means that it is implying movement or it is making your eye move throughout the artwork.

• It means you're moving to a new city.

Principle #4: Proportion

• Standard proportion - everything is realistic.

• Altered Proportion - unrealistic proportions.

Is this standard or altered proportion? Be ready to answer on the next slide!

Multiple Choice

Is this artwork in standard or altered proprition?

• Standard

• Altered

Is this standard or altered proportion? Be ready to answer on the next slide!

Multiple Choice

Is this artwork in standard or altered proprition?

• Standard

• Altered

Is this standard or altered proportion? Be ready to answer on the next slide!

Multiple Choice

Is this artwork in standard or altered proprition?

• Standard

• Altered

Is this standard or altered proportion? Be ready to answer on the next slide!

Multiple Choice

Is this artwork in standard or altered proprition?

• Standard

• Altered

Is this standard or altered proportion? Be ready to answer on the next slide!

Multiple Choice

Is this artwork in standard or altered proprition?

• Standard

• Altered

Principle #5: Unity

Unity is a principle in art that refers to a set of compositional strategies used by an artist to make the parts of a painting or another work of art hang together as a whole through visual relatedness.

What is an element that unifies these artworks? How does it unify the artworks? Be ready to answer on the next slide!

Open Ended

What is an element that unifies these artworks? How does it unify the artworks?

Principles #6, 7, & 8:

• Repetition: can unify an artwork by repeating lines, shapes, forms, colors, or other Elements of Art. 

• Pattern: are elements that repeat in a PREDICTABLE way. 

• Rhythm: used to create a sense of organized movement in an artwork. 

Multiple Choice

What is pattern?

• Used to create a sense of organized movement in an artwork.

• Unifies an artwork by repeating lines, shapes, forms, colors, or other Elements of Art.

• Elements that repeat in a PREDICTABLE way.

Multiple Choice

What is rhythm?

• Used to create a sense of organized movement in an artwork.

• Unifies an artwork by repeating lines, shapes, forms, colors, or other Elements of Art.

• Elements that repeat in a PREDICTABLE way.

Multiple Choice

What is repetition?

• Used to create a sense of organized movement in an artwork.

• Unifies an artwork by repeating lines, shapes, forms, colors, or other Elements of Art.

• Elements that repeat in a PREDICTABLE way.

Principle #9: Variety

Using different versions of elements in an artwork to hold interest. 

What elements do you see varied in this artwork? Be ready to answer on the next slide!

Open Ended

What elements do you see varied in this artwork?

Principle #10: Contrast

A principle of art that refers to the arrangement of opposite elements (light vs. dark colors, rough vs. smooth textures, large vs. small shapes, etc.)

Multiple Choice

Which elements can be used to create contrast?

• Line

• Texture

• Form

• Color

• ALL of them!