Activity 1.1.

2 Design Principles and

Elements
Introduction
Have you ever noticed how buildings of similar size and
shape can have completely different visual effects?
Architects, like artists, must understand the elements
and principles of design and how they affect the visual
impact of the building on a viewer. Whether it is the
intent of the architect to create a feeling of strength and
stability or to create an unusual form that will elicit a
double-take from the public, the elements and principles
of design can be used to manipulate the intellectual and
emotional reactions of the people who see and use the
building.

Equipment
Principles and Elements of Design Applied to
Architecture presentation notes

Procedure
In this activity you will identify design elements and principles as they pertain to
images of structures.

For each of the following, choose one element of design and one principle of design
that you feel is most prominent in the image and then justify your choice.

Word Bank
Balance Form Rhythm Texture
Color Line Shape Unity
Emphasis Proportion/Scale Space Value

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CEA Unit 1 Lesson 1.1 Activity 1.1.2 Design Principles and Elements Page 1
1. Principle of Design

1) Unity

Justification:

There is a consistent use of the

same materials to create this
structure (looks like stone), as well
as use of a consistent color scheme
(shades of brown).

2) Rhythm

Justification:

There is a random rhythm in the

sizes of the windows, but they are
generally the same shape. The
windows are also surrounded by
similar column designs.

Element of Design

1) Color

Justification:

These are cool colors, which create

a feeling of calmness. It creates a
relaxing atmosphere.

2) Texture

Justification:

This structure has a rough texture.

As a result, the colors look darker.

Elements and principles of design:

Unity, rhythm, color, texture, value,
space, form and shape

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2. Principle of Design

1) Balance

Justification:

This piece has horizontal balance as

the building would appear
symmetrical if cut down the middle
vertically.

2) Unity

Justification:

This building appears to be

constructed of the same material all
around, which creates a consistent
overall look and gives the building a
consistent color scheme.

Element of Design

1) Lines

Justification:

The building makes use of many

vertical lines to command authority,
but also has a few curves for a more
natural feel.

2) Form and Shape

Justification:

This structure has many rectangular

designs. It also has a dome on the
top and a triangular structure in the
midst of all the rectangles.

Elements and principles of design:

Unity, balance, proportion and scale,
form and shape, lines

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3. Principle of Design

1) Contrast

Justification:

There is contrast created through

emphasis. The white part stands out
because the red background is
darker and makes the white appear
brighter.

2) Balance

Justification:

Although the picture was taken from

an angle, if viewed directly upfront
the building would appear to have
symmetrical balance as the left and
right sides would be the same if split
down the middle from the front.

Element of Design

1) Texture

Justification:

The building looks to be rough,

making the colors seem darker.

2) Form and Shape

Justification:

The design of the building primarily

consists of rectangles and straight
edges, with a couple of triangles and
other polygons near the tops of the
structures.

Elements and principles of design:

Contract, balance, texture, color,
emphasis, form and shape

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 Istockphoto.com
4. Principle of Design

1) Movement

Justification:

The building narrows near the top

and tilts to the side, giving it a sort of
motion as it seems like its leaning
over and may fall.

2) Proportion and Scale

Justification: City Hall and London Bridge

The building is tilted to the side,

being wider at the top and the ovals
making up the structure becoming
smaller as they near to top. The
ovals also are offset from the center
as the building goes up. This makes
the building look like it is tilting.

Element of Design

1) Lines

Justification:

This building contains a lot of curved

lines, making it feel a lot more
natural and giving a sense of
freedom.

2) Color

Justification:

This structure is mainly blues and

grays, which are cool colors. This
gives a sense of calmness.

Elements and principles of design:

Movement, proportion and scale,
rhythm, color, lines, form and shape

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5. Principle of Design

1) Balance

Justification:

This work looks almost symmetrical

down the middle with the same
amount of women at the sides, with
the exception of the kneeling person
and the lady on the throne.

2) Unity

Justification:

This piece contains unity in its

consistent use of mainly the primary
colors throughout the piece.

Element of Design

1) Value

Justification:

Most of the colors used are shades

of another color, making the piece
look darker overall and more
serious.

2) Space

Justification:

Most of the space is used within this

piece, making it appear cramped
and busy.

Elements and principles of design:

Unity, balance, color, value, space,
lines

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6. Principle of Design

1) Rhythm

Justification:

There is a regular rhythm in this

building in the placement of the
triangular balconies.

2) Contrast

Justification:

The dark blue contrasts with the Istockphoto.com

lighter colors of the rest of the
building.

Element of Design

1) Value

Justification:

The building seems to be mainly

colored with a tint of red, with a
shade of blue being used on the
side.

2) Form and Shape

Justification:

The building has a lot of triangles in

its structure and a lot of rectangles
as well.

Elements and principles of design:

Contrast, rhythm, emphasis, color,
texture, value, space, form and
shape

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7. Principle of Design

1) Unity

Justification:

Unity is achieved through the

consistent color scheme used
Istockphoto.com
throughout and the consistent shape
of the roof structures.

2) Balance

Justification:

There is asymmetrical balance in

this structure as the parts of this
design arent symmetrical, but they
all help balance each other out.

Element of Design

1) Color

Justification:

The color scheme is very light,

making the scene look very calm
and serene.

2) Value

Justification:

The reason for the serenity in this

structure is due to the tint of red
used throughout, which goes well
with the green (grass) and makes
the area appear brighter.

Elements and principles of design:

Unity, balance, color, value,
proportion and scale, lines

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8. Principle of Design

1) Rhythm

Justification:

There is a regular rhythm in this

design with the placement of the
arches.
Microsoft Office clipart

2) Proportion and Scale Roman aqueduct

Justification:

The arches on top are smaller than

the ones on the bottom and of a
larger scale.

Element of Design

1) Texture

Justification:

This structure has a rough texture

and appears to be made of stone or
brick, so it appears to be darker.

2) Space

Justification:

There is a lot of open space in this

structure as the arches have a lot of
space between them.

Elements and principles of design:

Proportion and scale, rhythm, lines,
balance, texture, space, form and
shape

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9. Principle of Design

1) Balance

Justification:

There is symmetrical balance down

the middle of this design, as the left
and right sides are mirror images of
the other.

2) Emphasis

Justification:

The use of color emphasizes the

structure in the middle, which
attracts the eye due to the contrast
between it and its surroundings.

Element of Design

1) Texture

Justification:

Much of the design of the pillars

appears smooth and thus they look
brighter, but the middle seems rough
and thus it looks darker.

2) Color

Justification:

The structure overall gives a sense

of energy and excitement due to the
bright colors and atmosphere.

Elements and principles of design:

Unity, rhythm, emphasis, color,
texture, value, space, contrast

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10. Principle of Design

1) Contrast

Justification:

The colors of the houses contrast

each other and make the others
seem more interesting.

2) Emphasis

Justification:

The house at the front is a darker

color than the others, drawing the
eye.

Element of Design

1) Color

Justification:

The colors are very warm, giving a

sense of energy and liveliness.

2) Lines

Justification:

Many of the lines are very straight

and horizontal, giving a sense of
calm that contrasts the lively colors.

Elements and principles of design:

Contrast, emphasis, color, lines,
proportion and scale, rhythm

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CEA Unit 1 Lesson 1.1 Activity 1.1.2 Design Principles and Elements Page 11
Conclusion
1. In what way do certain elements or principles identify the time period in which a
structure was created?
Certain elements or principles can help identify the time period in which a structure was
created by helping people identify what the structures are made of and can help others
identify the time period the structure was built by its style.

2. What factors might account for an incorrect identification?

Some different styles of designing a certain structure (maybe an architect wanted to
make something different) would cause an incorrect identification.

3. Describe an example of a way that design principles and elements could impact
the function of a building.
One way design principles and elements could impact the function of a building would
be perhaps its lines, as vertical lines suggest formality and structure and would be fit to
use as a design for an office building.

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