The Principles of Design

The principles of design are the recipe for a good work of art. The principles combine the elements to create an aesthetic placement of things that will produce a good design. How we apply the principles of design determines how successful we are in creating a work of art.

EMPHASIS - is an area that first attracts attention in a composition. This area is more important when compared to the other objects or elements in a composition. This can be by contrast of values, more colors, and placement in the format.

 Emphasis using color

BALANCE - is a feeling of visual equality in shape, form, value, color, etc. Balance can be symmetrical or evenly balanced or asymmetrical and un-evenly balanced. Objects, values, colors, textures, shapes, forms, etc., can be used in creating a balance in a composition.

Asymmetrical balance

Symmetrical

UNITY - brings together a composition with similar units. If your composition was using wavy lines and organic shapes you would stay with those types of lines and not put in just one geometric shape.

Unity- grouping of similar objects

Unity- proximity of objects

CONTRAST - offers some change in value creating a visual discord in a composition. Contrast shows the difference between shapes and can be used as a background to bring objects out and forward in a design. It can also be used to create an area of emphasis.

Contrast in color

Contrast of hard light and dark tones

MOVEMENT - is a visual flow through the composition. It can be the suggestion of motion in a design as you move from object to object by way of placement and position. Directional movement can be created with a value pattern. It is with the placement of dark and light areas that you can move your attention through the format.

The lines in this design create movement

RHYTHM - is a movement in which some elements reoccur regularly. Like a dance it will have a flow of objects that will seem to be like the beat of music.

PATTERN - is the repetition of an element (or elements) in a work. An artist achieves a pattern through the use of colors, lines or shapes.