Principles of Design and Art

Balance

• Used by artists to give the parts of an artwork equal “visual weight” or interest

• The distribution of visual weight between objects, color, texture, and space

• main types

  • symmetrical

  • asymmetrical: the parts of a design are visually equal, yet not exactly the same

  • radial: the parts of a design seem to radiate from a central point; often symmetrical in both directions

emphasis

• Making an element or object in a work stand out

• The focal point of a work of art; accomplished by contrasting color, shape, texture, or scale

Subordination

• Other elements are subdued or pushed back to emphasize the focal point

Variety/Contrast

• Combining one or more elements that contrast or are different from each other to create interest in a work of art

unity

• the feeling that all the parts in an artwork work together to create a sense of wholeness or harmony

movement

• The path the viewer’s eye takes through a work

• Can be used by artists to give a work energy

• Can take two forms

  • Implied

  • Actual

repetition

• can result in pattern or rhythm

pattern

• Created by repeating lines, shapes and/or color in a design, typically in a regular or predictable fashion, but sometimes these can be random or scattered

rhythm

• created when one or more elements of design are used repeatedly to create a feeling of organized movement

• creates a mood like music or dancing

• variety is essential

proportion

• the relationship of size, location or amount of one thing to another

scale

• the size of one object compared to the size of something else