Principles of Design

Principles of Design

Foundational guidelines needed to make an artwork (Instructions/Recipe)

Balance

The sense of stability in the body of work

Elements of an artwork appear to have an apparent weight

Artworks that are balanced, seem to have objects on the right side with a similar weight as those objects on the left side

Variety

The differences in the work, You can achieve variety by using different shapes, textures, colours and values in your work

UNITY (and Harmony)

Achieved through the HARMONY of shapes, objects or colour. It is seen when all the parts equal a whole. Your work should not appear disjointed or confusing.

Repetition of the same brushstrokes, consistent colour scheme, repetition of vertical and diagonal lines

Emphasis

Developing points of interest to pull the viewer’s eye to important parts of the body of the work.

You can create a focal point by having one area a little bit different from everything else.

PROPORTION (and SCALE)

The relationships of the size of objects in a body of work

Proportions give a sense of size seen as a relationship of objects, such as smallness or largeness

Movement

• Adds excitement to your work

• Shows action

• Directs the viewer’s eye throughout the picture plane

Rhythm

A type of movement

• Seen in repeating of shapes and colours

• Alternating lights and darks

• Repeats a pattern