ORGANIZATION IN THE ARTS:

ELEMENTS OF DESIGN
PRINCIPLES OF DESIGN
 At the end of this module, you will:
1. Describe the elements of art;
2. Differentiate the principles of art;
3. Explain the relevance of the elements and principles of
art in the study of art and its products (artworks); and
4. Create art products depicting the various elements and
principles of design
ELEMENTS AND PRINCIPLES OF DESIGN
Elements: Principles:
Line Balance
Emphasis & Focal Point
Shape
Contrast
Form
Movement
Color Variety
Value Pattern & Repetition
Texture Unity
Harmony/Gestalt
Space
THE ELEMENTS OF
DESIGN
 The elements of art is the building block used to
create a work of art. It is also called the
components or parts which can be isolated and
defined in any visual design or work of art. They
structure and carry the work
1. ELEMENTS OF ART: VISUAL

These elements of art are

generally produced when
something is done to the
medium after the technique is
carried out.
LINE
A LINE IS DEFINED AS A MARK
WITH LENGTH AND
DIRECTION, CREATED BY A
POINT THAT MOVES ACROSS
A SURFACE. A LINE CAN VARY
IN LENGTH, WIDTH,
DIRECTION, CURVATURE,
AND COLOR.

Jasper Johns, 0-9 (continuous line)

Gesture drawing
 1. Horizontal and Vertical Line

1. Horizontal and vertical line – refers to the orientation of the line.

• Horizontal lines normally associated with rest or calm
• Vertical lines connote elevation or height, which is usually take to
mean exaltation or aspiration for action. Together, these lines
communicate stability and firmness.
Figure 4. Horizontal line Figure 5. Vertical line
2. Diagonal and Crooked Lines

Diagonal and crooked lines –

diagonal lines convey movement
and instability, although the
progression can be seen. Crooked
or jagged lines are reminiscent of
violence, conflict or struggle.
Figure 6. Diagonal lines
3. Curved Lines

Curved lines – these are

lines that bend or coil. They
allude to softness, grace,
flexibility, or even
sensuality.
Figure 7. Roy Lichtenstein, Brushstroke, 1965
Shape & Form

Shape is an enclosed space defined by other

elements of art.

Shape is 2-Dimensional: height and width

Form is 3-dimensional: height, width and
depth
 SHAPE CAN BE GEOMETRIC OR ORGANIC

1.Geometric – these shapes find origin in mathematical

propositions. As such, its translation and use are often
man-made. These include squares, triangles, , cubes,
circles, spheres, and cones
2.Organic – shapes are those readily occurring in nature,
often irregular and symmetrical.
 Geometric Organic

Figure 8. Fernana Leger, The City

Figure 9. Matisse, from the series “Jazz”
SHAPE
Are these shapes
Geometric or Organic?
Figure 10. Edward Steichen,
Le Tournesol (Sunflower) 1920
FORM

Figure 11. David Smith, Wandering Rocks

FORM

Figure 12. Edward Hopper, the Lighthouse at Two Lights

C. SPACE

Space – related to shape and form is space. It is usually inferred from a

sense of depth, whether it is real or simulated. Real space is
three-dimensional. Sculptures are perfect examples of artworks that
bear these elements.

However, this can be manifested in two-dimensional artworks through

the use of different techniques, or the use (or non-use) of area around a
drawing or picture.
SPACE
SPACE IS THE EMPTY OR OPEN AREA
BETWEEN, AROUND, ABOVE, BELOW, OR
WITHIN OBJECTS. SHAPES AND FORMS
ARE MADE BY THE SPACE AROUND AND
WITHIN THEM. SPACE IS OFTEN CALLED
THREE-DIMENSIONAL OR TWO-
DIMENSIONAL. POSITIVE SPACE IS
FILLED BY A SHAPE OR FORM.
NEGATIVE SPACE SURROUNDS A SHAPE
OR FORM.
Positive and negative space – usually identified with the white space is
negative space. The positive space on the other hand, is the space where shadow
is heavily used.

Three dimensional space – can be simulated through a variety of techniques

such as shading. An illusion of three-dimensionality can be achieved in a
two-dimensional work.
SPACE
POSITIVE/NEGATIVE
SPACE

De Chirico, Melancholy and Mystery of a Street

MC Escher
SPACE
DEPTH

Perugino, Delivery of the Keys

D. COLOR
Color - perhaps one of the elements that enhances the appeal of an artwork.
Its effect has range, allowing the viewer to make responses based on
memory, emotion, and instinct, among others.

This element is a property of light, as it is reflected off the object. Color is

not intrinsic to an object and without light, one cannot perceive color.
Color Theory that was first unraveled by the
experiments undertaken by Sir Isaac Newton in
1666. A ray of sunlight passing through a prism
reveals an array of colors akin to that of a rainbow.
Psychology of Colors

► One important thing the artist has to remember is that colors are known to have
varied psychological and emotional connotations.
► Black - is associated with death and gloom. Connotes grief and sorrow.
White – stands for purity, innocence and
kindness.

Blue – is the color of heaven. For nobility,

justice, peace, and wisdom.
Red – A color attributed to Orange – helps a person to be
bravery, courage and passion. It assertive and stands for growth.
signifies anger and provokes
fear. Red impels people to
action.
 Yellow – For happiness and liveliness, significance and
Green – the color of nature, promotes hospitality.
the feeling of well-being, it implies
happy and restful association and natural
abundance. Expresses fertility and hope.
Brown – Stands for miser line. Violet – Color for majestry and mysticism.
Reason

It is wise for the artist to remember these psychological

connotations when choosing color for his work. Architects,
for example, are known to use different color relationships
for a church and for a reception room in order to create the
right mood among the observers.
Color Wheel
 Property of Color
Is an element of art with three properties
•1) Hue, the name of the color, e.g. red, yellow, etc.
•2) Intensity or the purity and strength of the color
•3) Value, or the lightness or darkness of the color
 Jasper Johns, Target Picasso, the Old Guitarist
Delauney
(primary colors)
 Kandinsky, Improvisation 31 (Sea Battle), 1913

Mark Rothko, Red, Orange, Tan and Purple

Van Gogh, Night Cafe
 Value
•An element of art that refers to luminance or luminosity – the lightness or darkness of
a color.

•Value is an especially important element in works of art

•When color is absent. This is particularly likely with drawings, printmaking, and
photographs
 Kathe
Kollwitz,
Self
portrait
VALUE

Chuck Close Edward Weston, Pepper

(made w/ thumbprints!) (photograph)
Texture - refers to the surface quality or “feel” of an
object, such as roughness, smoothness, or softness.
Actual texture can be felt while simulated textures are
implied by the way the artist renders the surface area.
TEXTURE

Oppenheim
Fur-lined cup
Tactile (or Real) Texture is the way the surface of an object actually feels.
Examples would be sandpaper, cotton balls, tree bark, puppy fur, etc.

Implied Texture is the way the surface of an object looks like it feels. This
is the type of texture that artists use when they draw and paint. Textures
may look rough, fuzzy, gritty, or scruffy, but can’t actually be felt.
TEXTURE

Golsdworthy Albrecht Durer

Rhinocerus
2. ELEMENTS OF
DESIGN: AUDITORY
A. Rhythm – often associated to the terms beat, meter, and
tempo, rhythm is the element of music that situates it in time. It
is the pulse of the music. Beat is the basic unit of music when
tempo refers to its speed (beat/second). Beats can be organized
into a recognizable recurrent pattern, which is called meter.
B. Dynamics – the element of music that refers to the loudness or
quietness of music.

C. Melody – refers to the linear presentation (horizontal) of

pitch. By horizontal, it means that in musical notation, it is
read in succession from left to right. Pitch is the highness or
lowness of musical sound.
D. Harmony – if melody is
horizontal, harmony is vertical. It
arises when pitches are combined
to form chords. When several notes
are simultaneously played this
refers to a chord. Harmony can be
described in terms of harshness:
dissonance is the harsh-sounding
combination while consonance is
the smooth-sounding combination.
E. Timbre – it is often likened to the color of music. A
quality distinguishes a voice or an instrument from
another. Timber may give a certain characteristic to music
much like how a painter evokes different effects or
impressions onto the canvas.
F. Texture – the number of melodies, the type of layers, and their
relatedness in a composition is the nature of music.

* Monophonic – single melodic line

* Polyphonic – two or more melodic lines
* Homophonic – main melody accompanied by chords.