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Copy of 3A. Principles - Student NOTES

The document outlines the Principles of Design, which are essential rules for artists to effectively compose the Elements of Design. Key principles include Balance, Proportion & Scale, Rhythm, Movement, Emphasis & Contrast, Unity, and Variety, each with specific definitions and examples. These principles guide artists in creating visually appealing and cohesive artworks by manipulating elements such as line, shape, color, and texture.

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sukhman
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5 views

Copy of 3A. Principles - Student NOTES

The document outlines the Principles of Design, which are essential rules for artists to effectively compose the Elements of Design. Key principles include Balance, Proportion & Scale, Rhythm, Movement, Emphasis & Contrast, Unity, and Variety, each with specific definitions and examples. These principles guide artists in creating visually appealing and cohesive artworks by manipulating elements such as line, shape, color, and texture.

Uploaded by

sukhman
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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THE PRINCIPLES OF DESIGN:

Student NOTES Package

Balance

Variety

Emphasis

Movement

Rhythm

Unity
The Principles of Design are the rules and recipes
that artists use to compose the Elements of Design
into effective designs

BALANCE
Balance refers to the way artists organize the Elements of Design (line,
shape, value, texture, space and colour) to distribute visual weight
pleasingly.
• The Leaning Tower of Pisa is world famous because
it looks like it’s ready to collapse and yet it still
manages to stand. The fact that it doesn’t collapse is
disturbing to our eyes, because our minds have a
deep need for balance.
• An artwork’s balance affects the equality and tension
of the composition and can lend a feeling of calm or
chaos/danger to the work.

Symmetrical Balance is when one side of an artwork mirrors the


other, so both sides are equal/identical. (ex left = right)
• Symmetrical balance creates a stable, relaxed and calm feeling.

L=R
The Principles of Design are the rules and recipes
that artists use to compose the Elements of Design
into effective designs

Asymmetrical Balance is when the left/right or top/bottom have


unequal weight distribution.
• Asymmetrical balance creates a livelier, more active effect than
symmetrical balance.
• An artwork with asymmetrical balance is “heavier” or “lighter” in
some areas, looks unstable, and can make the viewer uncomfortable.
• Asymmetric balance adds a dynamic look to artworks and often
draws attention to focal points in the composition.

L=R

Radial Balance is a kind of balance where the elements branch out


FROM THE CENTRE OUTWARDS. Ex. Flowers, rings in a tree etc
The Principles of Design are the rules and recipes
that artists use to compose the Elements of Design
into effective designs

PROPORTION & SCALE


Proportion refers to the way artists manipulate SIZE relationships
between objects and the Elements of Design (line, shape, value, texture,
space and colour)
• “Good” proportion = a pleasing relationship of sizes of various parts
of an object.
• When objects are out of proportion, they look distorted.
Cartoons and caricatures are great examples of placing objects
out of proportion

Abstraction refers to deliberately distorting or


exaggerating proportions, lines, shapes, space or colours
to evoke an emotional response from the viewer.
• Abstract artists like Pablo Picasso loved simplifying
and exaggerating shapes, lines and colours to
manipulate and flatten space

Scale refers to comparing the sizes of objects next to each other in an


artwork.
• Surreal artists like Rene Magritte & Salvador Dali loved to
manipulate the scale and proportions of objects to create bizarre
combinations of depth, realism, disorientation, and drama.
The Principles of Design are the rules and recipes
that artists use to compose the Elements of Design
into effective designs

RHYTHM
Rhythm refers to the way artists organize the Elements of Design (line,
shape, value, texture, space and colour) to create the illusion of
MOVEMENT OR ACTION.
• Rhythm is closely associated
with music. In visual arts, rhythm
and movement work together to
create the visual equivalent to
music.
• Rhythm creates a visual tempo in
artworks and provides a path for
the viewer’s eye to follow.
• In this rhythm example, the artist uses pattern, repetition of line, and
contrast between curved and straight lines to create rhythm in art.
• Rhythm can be random, regular, alternating, progressive and flowing.

Random Rhythm is a type of visual rhythm in which an element or


image is repeated in no apparent order (randomly)
The Principles of Design are the rules and recipes
that artists use to compose the Elements of Design
into effective designs

Regular Rhythm is a type of visual rhythm created by repeating the


same element or image with the same distance between repetitions. Ex
lines on a road

Alternating Rhythm is a type of visual rhythm which repeats


elements or images, but changing their position, content or spaces
between them.

Progressive Rhythm is a type of visual rhythm that changes the


element or image each time it is repeated.
The Principles of Design are the rules and recipes
that artists use to compose the Elements of Design
into effective designs

Flowing Rhythm is a type of visual rhythm which is created by


repeating wavy lines. (ex. Crashing waves on a beach)

Pattern refers to the decorative repetition of line, shape, value, texture,


space and colour.
• Pattern repeats one or more elements in a recurring and regular
arrangement.

Repetition refers to the techniques for creating unity and rhythm by


using a single image (motif) over and over again
The Principles of Design are the rules and recipes
that artists use to compose the Elements of Design
into effective designs

MOVEMENT
Movement refers to the way artists organize the Elements of Design
(line, shape, value, texture, space and colour) to create the illusion of
ACTION & MOTION by moving the viewer’s eye throughout the image.

1. Artists can use their brushstrokes to express feelings and create


motion across a canvas. Movement can be:
a) Slow and steady = a feeling of calm, peace and stability
b) Quick and sketchy = creating a hectic or frantic feeling of
nervousness

2. Vincent Van Gogh was perhaps


the greatest artist to use
swirling lines/brushstrokes and
repetition of colours to create
flowing rhythm; which created
movement and energy
throughout his artwork; as
seen in his masterpiece “Starry
Night”.

3. Edvard Munch copied Van


Gogh’s repetition of colour
and flowing rhythm but
added linear perspective to
move the viewer’s eye in his
masterpiece “The Scream”
The Principles of Design are the rules and recipes
that artists use to compose the Elements of Design
into effective designs

Patterns of shapes and colour can also be used to help move the viewer’s
eyes across the canvas. The “Impressionists” like Monet and Renoir were
particularly skilled at creating movement through shapes and colours.
The Principles of Design are the rules and recipes
that artists use to compose the Elements of Design
into effective designs

EMPHASIS & CONTRAST


Emphasis refers to the way artists use CONTRASTING (opposite)
Elements of Design in order to make 1 part of the artwork stand out as the
dominant FOCAL POINT.

Focal Point refers to the dominant subject, object and center of interest
in an artwork which attracts the viewer’s attention first.
• Every design should have ONE focal point/center of interest, which
catches and keep’s the viewer’s attention. If there are too many
centers of interest, then the viewer’s eye gets confused and the
design looks too busy

Artists create emphasis by:


1. CONTRAST - using opposite elements that clash with one another
EX smooth vs rough textures, large vs small shapes. Light vs dark
colours
2. PLACEMENT – objects near the center or bottom tend to stand out
3. SIZE – larger objects tend to dominate
4. ACTION – leads the viewer’s eye to or from the focal point
5. PERSPECTIVE LINES – these lead the viewer’s eye directly to the
focal point
6. COLOUR – contrasts/opposites in colour clash and make the
opposing colour stand out ex vibrant vs dull colours
7. ISOLATION – isolating one object by colour or placement
8. TEXTURE - Contrast can be used to create variety, visual interest,
and drama in an artwork.
The Principles of Design are the rules and recipes
that artists use to compose the Elements of Design
into effective designs

• In “5th of May”, Francesco Goya emphasizes the man in white by


creating contrast by putting him in a spotlight, having the man wear
bright clothes, having many lines throughout the composition
pointing to him and having his emotional face be one of the only
faces shown.
The Principles of Design are the rules and recipes
that artists use to compose the Elements of Design
into effective designs

UNITY
Unity refers to the way artists organize the
Elements of Design (line, shape, value, texture,
space and colour) to create the feeling that all
parts BELONG in harmony.
• Imagine someone wearing a blue shirt, blue
jeans, shoes with blue laces standing against
a blue wall – the blue unites the design
• Unity is a connection between the elements that creates a sense of
harmony and cohesion.

Harmony refers to the cohesiveness of an artwork—how whole,


consistent, and complete it appears.

Unity and harmony are created by REPEATING lines, shapes,


values, colours, textures and patterns across a canvas or artwork
The Principles of Design are the rules and recipes
that artists use to compose the Elements of Design
into effective designs

VARIETY
Variety refers to the way artists use DIFFERENCES in the Elements of
Design (line, shape, value, texture, space and colour) to shock the viewer
and add interest & energy to a work of art.
• Variety is created by combining differences and contrasts to create
excitement and break the repetition of a design
• Variety creates diversity. Diversity/difference creates interest.

• The following all feature a huge variety in lines, shapes, values, and
textures.

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