Principles of Design
PRINCIPLES OF DESIGN
Unity and Variety ( Balance ( Emphasis and Subordination
Scale and Proportion ( Rhythm and Repetition
Directional Forces ( Contrast
PRINCIPLES OF DESIGN
1. UNITY AND VARIETY
← Unity is a sense of oneness, of things belonging together. Also called harmony, it is concerned with combining similar elements to create a pleasing appearance.
← Variety is concerned with combining art elements by adding slight changes to increase visual interest.
2. BALANCE
• refers to the achievement of equilibrium, the condition in which acting influences are held in check by opposing forces
• concerned with arranging art elements in an artwork so no one part of that work overpowers, or seems heavier than, any other part
• a function of visual weight
Visual weight
• refers to the apparent “heaviness” or “lightness” of the forms arranged in a composition, as gauged by how insistently they draw our eyes.
• When visual weight is equally distributed to either side of a felt or implied center of gravity, we feel that the composition is balanced.
Symmetrical Balance
• also called formal balance
• occurs when one half of a 3d form or a 2d composition mirrors or closely resembles the other half
The implied center of gravity is the vertical axis, an imaginary line drawn down the center of the composition
Relieved Symmetry
• the close but not exact correspondence between two sides of a composition
Asymmetrical Balance
← also called informal balance
← occurs when 2 sides of a composition do not match except for what seems to be a balance in visual weight
← often used to create interesting, true-to-life visual statements
On balance…
1. A large form is heavier, more attractive, or more attention-getting than a small form. Thus, two or more small forms can balance one large form.
2. Intense colors are heavier than weak or
Unity and Variety ( Balance ( Emphasis and Subordination
Scale and Proportion ( Rhythm and Repetition
Directional Forces ( Contrast
PRINCIPLES OF DESIGN
1. UNITY AND VARIETY
← Unity is a sense of oneness, of things belonging together. Also called harmony, it is concerned with combining similar elements to create a pleasing appearance.
← Variety is concerned with combining art elements by adding slight changes to increase visual interest.
2. BALANCE
• refers to the achievement of equilibrium, the condition in which acting influences are held in check by opposing forces
• concerned with arranging art elements in an artwork so no one part of that work overpowers, or seems heavier than, any other part
• a function of visual weight
Visual weight
• refers to the apparent “heaviness” or “lightness” of the forms arranged in a composition, as gauged by how insistently they draw our eyes.
• When visual weight is equally distributed to either side of a felt or implied center of gravity, we feel that the composition is balanced.
Symmetrical Balance
• also called formal balance
• occurs when one half of a 3d form or a 2d composition mirrors or closely resembles the other half
The implied center of gravity is the vertical axis, an imaginary line drawn down the center of the composition
Relieved Symmetry
• the close but not exact correspondence between two sides of a composition
Asymmetrical Balance
← also called informal balance
← occurs when 2 sides of a composition do not match except for what seems to be a balance in visual weight
← often used to create interesting, true-to-life visual statements
On balance…
1. A large form is heavier, more attractive, or more attention-getting than a small form. Thus, two or more small forms can balance one large form.
2. Intense colors are heavier than weak or