Principles and Elements of Design

Flashcards reviewing the definitions, distinctions, and visual examples of the elements and principles of design, framed by the recipe analogy.

According to the recipe analogy, what roles do the elements and principles of design play?

Elements are the ingredients ("the WHAT of the recipe" / what goes into it), while principles are the instructions ("the HOW of the recipe" / how they combine).

What are the seven elements of design?

Form, Shape, Line, Color, Value, Texture, and Space.

What are the eight principles of design?

Repetition, Variety, Rhythm, Movement, Emphasis, Balance, Contrast, and Unity.

How is Form defined as an element of design?

A 3D closed figure having height, width, and depth (e.g., cube, sphere, pyramid).

How is Shape defined as an element of design?

A 2D closed figure having height and width (e.g., square, circle, triangle).

What is the primary dimensional difference between a shape and a form?

A shape is two-dimensional (having height and width), whereas a form is three-dimensional (having height, width, and depth).

How is Line defined as an element of design?

Continuous paths or marks made by a moving point.

What must a line contain at minimum according to the lecture notes?

It must contain at least two points.

How is color created?

Color is created by reflected light.

What is Hue in relation to color?

The color itself (its name).

How is Value defined as a property of color?

How light or dark the color is.

How is Saturation/Intensity defined in relation to color?

How bright or dull the color appears.

How is the element of Value defined overall?

The light or darkness created when light strikes an object.

How is Texture defined as an element of design?

How something feels or appears to feel (touch).

How is Space defined as an element of design?

Depth, or the area between, around, above, below, or within something (including negative and positive space).

What concept within the element of space is demonstrated in this image?

Negative and positive space.

How is the principle of Repetition defined?

The use of recurring elements, duplicated the same way each time.

Which principle of design is illustrated by this composition of identical Campbell's Soup cans?

Repetition.

How is the principle of Variety defined?

The use of recurring elements, duplicated a different way each time.

What is the key difference between Repetition and Variety?

Repetition duplicates recurring elements the same way each time, whereas Variety duplicates recurring elements a different way each time.

How is Rhythm defined as a principle of design?

Elements repeated on a regular interval.

How is Movement defined as a principle of design?

Elements used to create a feeling of flow and direction.

How is Emphasis defined as a principle of design?

Elements used to draw focus or create dominance.

Which principle of design is demonstrated by the isolated smaller dot among the larger dots?

Emphasis.

How is Balance defined as a principle of design?

Elements combined to create stability.

What are the three types of Balance identified in the lecture?

Symmetrical, Asymmetrical, and Radial.

Which type of balance is shown by the mirrored composition of these two trees?

Symmetrical balance.

Which type of balance is exemplified by this suspended mobile sculpture?

Asymmetrical balance.

Which type of balance is exemplified by this circular mandala pattern?

Radial balance.

How is Contrast defined as a principle of design?

Elements combined to highlight their difference.

How is Unity defined as a principle of design?

The combination of different elements creating harmony.