Elements and Principles of Design

• The elements are the most • The principles are effects

basic features of anything and created by using the elements
everything visual. They are the in some way. The principles
building blocks of all art and include: Balance, Contrast,
design. The elements include: Emphasis, Pattern, Repetition,
Colour, Line, Shape, Space, Rhythm, Movement, and Unity.
Form, Texture, and Value. It is not possible to have the
Anything we look at will have principles without the
various combinations of elements. For example, the
colours, shapes, textures, and principle of contrast
so on. (differences in light and dark)
can be produced by using the
element of tone.
 Line
Line is the path of a moving dot.

There are many different kinds of

lines: straight - curved, jagged -
smooth, thick - thin, weak - strong,
dark - light, long - short, wavy -
feathery, actual - implied.
•Many different materials and tools
can make lines.
•Lines can be vertical, horizontal,
or diagonal, and can change
direction abruptly forming a
corner, or change direction gently,
forming a curve.
Stripe Song
•Lines can express mood and J. Seeley
emotion. Lines of varied thickness and direction
create an illusion of volume in this piece.
•Lines can be used to divide space,
define shapes, create tonal values and
show volume, simulate texture.
 Shape
When a line begins and ends at the
same point, a shape is made.
•All shapes have two dimensions -
length and width.

•Shapes can be geometric, such as

circle, oval, square, rectangle, or
triangle OR shapes can be 'organic',
free form.

•Shapes can be representational -

something you can recognize, or
shapes can be non-representational -
a non-recognizable shape.
Zapatistas
Jose Clemente Orozco Shapes can be positive or negative.
Note the prominent shapes of the figures and the
sombreros.
 Texture
Texture refers to the feel or look of a surface.

•All surfaces have texture.

There are many different kinds of surface

textures including: rough, smooth, prickly,
soft, coarse, furry, pebbly, shiny, gritty,
velvety.

•Actual texture is the surface texture that can

be seen and felt.

Simulated or implied texture is drawn or

painting to created the illusion of texture. It
cannot be felt, only seen. Ecriture No.931215
Seo-Bo Park
Texture will affect light reflection and causes Artwork can have actual textures or the
colour values to change. Texture creates illusion of textures.
highlights and shadows.
The Elements: Colour
Colours/hues are the names given to
the different rays of light that are
visible in a spectrum, for example, the
light refracted through a prism.

Colours can give the illusion of depth:

closer objects are more intense, while
distant objects appear duller.

The effect of a colour can be changed

by the surrounding colour.
Turning Road L'estaque
Andre Derain
Colour is the most persuasive
Andre Derain was part of an art movement element. Colour can show emotions
called the "Fauves" (wild beasts). These artists and mood.
were known for their use of bright primary and
secondary colours. Colours can be put into groups of
warm and cool colours.
 Form
When the third dimension of depth (or thickness) is
added to length and width, shape becomes form.

Form can be geometric such as cube, cylinder, cone,

or sphere, or shape can be organic, free form.

Form can be representational - something you can

recognize, or shapes can be non-representational -
a non-recognizable form.

Form can be actual 3-D, or implied 3-D

Bronze Vessel
China The illusion of 3-D form can be represented on a
2-D surface, for example, in a drawing through
the use of tonal work such as shading.
Space can be the actual three dimensional
features of a sculpture in space, or the illusion of
Space
space and depth created in a two dimensional
image.

Illusion of space on a two dimensional (2-D)

surface can be achieved through a number of
natural perspective means, including: relative
apparent size, overlapping, placement on the
picture plane, colour intensity variation, use of
lights and darks, use of warm or cool colours, and
amount of distinction and detail.

Illusion of space can also be achieved through

linear perspective, a concept where three
dimensional forms are drawn on a two
dimensional surface using a system of parallel
converging lines that come together at a point,
known as a 'vanishing point'.
•Positive space is that which is occupied by New City
forms. Negative space is that which is Gene Bodio
unoccupied, or empty space. A strong sense of space is achieved using
linear perspective.
•An artist may choose to present space in a
realistic sense in the image or may distort or
eliminate space to create an effect.
Value
•All objects are defined by the way light
touches their surfaces. Light, or the lack of it --
dark, are chiefly responsible for the definition
of form.

•A colour can be darkened by adding black,

resulting in shades of that colour.

•A colour can be lightened by adding white,

resulting in tints of that colour.
•Artists use bold contrasts of value in order to
express powerful effects in an image.

Clearing Winter Storm Value can help express space - distant

Ansel Adams objects are dull, while closer objects are
Note the full range of tones from white brighter.
through to black.
Usually, dark values appear to come forward
and light values tend to recede.
The Principles: Balance
Chilkat Blanket
Tlingit
The design of this blanket is
symmetrically balanced.

There is balance when the parts of

an image have the same visual
weight

Imbalance can create a sense of awkwardness or discomfort, and can be used to create
tension or impact in an image.
Balance can be symmetrical (formal) in which the parts are visually equal, such as
two shapes of the same size. Symmetrical balance gives a sense of order, and
stateliness.
•Asymmetrical (informal) balance may have parts that a re not identical, such as two
small shapes balanced by one large shape. Asymmetrical balance gives the sense of
activity and creates interest.
•Radial balance revolves around a real or imaginary central point.
Emphasis
Blue Lights and Rockets
JMW Turner
Swirling atmosphere, strong lines,
contrasts, and reflections, all draw
attention to the bright focal point.

•Emphasis is used to call attention to a

specific area in an image.

•Emphasis is sometimes also referred to as the focal point or center of interest.

•Emphasis can be achieved by: increased size, strong colour, greater detail, sharp
contrast, distorted shape, placement in the composition, movement of the image
leading the eye to a focal point.
 Contrast
Contrast is created when two unlike qualities
are placed together.

Contrast can be achieved through the use of

any of the elements.

Contrast can be used to emphasize,

dramatize, surprise or add variety to an
image.

Contrast can be high or low (strong or subtle). David and Goliath

High contrast tends towards a more dramatic Caravaggio
effect, while low contrast tends towards This painting displays an extreme form
soothing and settling. of contrast called 'chiaroscuro' which
emphasizes sharp differences in light
and dark for a dramatic effect.
 Pattern

Pattern is created by the repetition of an

element or similar elements.

•Pattern can be organized or random.

•Repeated pattern can create rhythm.

The repetition within pattern can be regular or

irregular.

Sienna Plate with feather

design
Maria Martinez
•Rhythm, a vital and natural part of our
universe, is created in an image through the
repetition of certain components. Rhythm
•A progressive continuity of the rhythm can be
created by increasing or decreasing the
elements in a series, such as smaller to larger,
lighter to darker, rougher to smoother, etc.

The repetition can be regular or irregular.

Regular repetition results in a formal rhythm.

The natural environment provides many

examples of precise repetition.
•Repetition with variation is often more
interesting.
Repetition can have other effects in an
image, for example, a colour repeated in
different areas of a picture can increase its Eiso
power. Paul Manes
•Repetition of certain elements within an image Repetition of the oval, cup shapes creates a
tends to hold the overall design together. visual rhythm.
Unity
Unity in an image is achieved when the
elements work together to produce
harmony, completeness, and a sense
of order.

Unity can be achieved though

various elements, such as in the
combination of similar colours, lines,
shapes, etc.

•Lack of unity produces

disharmony, incompleteness,
disorder, and dissonance.

However, unity without contrast can

be uninteresting.
Canyon Wall 14
Virginia Cobb
Similar shapes and colours, and a grid-
based composition establish unity in this
painting.
Movement
Trio
Steve
Magada
Repeated,
gestural lines
create a
sense of
movement.

•Movement is meant to show activity in an image.

•Movement is achieved by manipulating the element, such as the use of tonal gradation,
repeated lines, etc.
Stop action' images such as sports activities, show physical movement.
Compositional movement can also use lines or repeated colours or patterns to lead the
viewer's eye from place to place within the image.