7 Principles of Composition:

A synthesis of all the principles is necessary in order to ensure a unified and satisfactory composition

Arrangement of formal and spatial alements

7 PRINCIPLES OF COMPOSITION:
Contrast
- opposites can be used to highlight
- can be applied to forms and the experience of space
- can also be applied in terms of size, texture, and color
- best illustrated in the treatment of volumes
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- opposite of similarity
- if similarity exists to a marked degree, the effect is monotony
- if contrast exists violently and profusely, the result will be a restless and disorganized design,
which lacks repose.
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- when a dominating factor exists in contrast, this is called emphasis.
- the contrast should be done gradually, not abruptly.
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- contrast should be present in just the correct amount, enough to give variety but not in excess,
which will cause confusion.

Contrast of Form
 Shape
 Mass
Contrast of Line
 Direction
-horizontal
-vertical
-oblique
-curved
  Type
Contrast of Size
 Gradation – creates rhythm, as it leads the eye from one element to
another
 Abrupt – contrast is sudden
 Molar – objects which may have the same shape and direction but may
vary in size
Contrast of Tone
 Texture
 Openings

Contrast of Treatment
 Surface finish
-the same material in different treatments
-contrast of patterns in certain areas
-use of different materials
Contrast of Color
 Bright colors against dark colors create emphasis
 Putting contrasting colors together also catches people’s attention
Proportion(Ex. St. Peter’s Basilica)
- proportion is an ordered set of mathematical relationships
- proper and harmonious relation of one part to another or to the whole
- references for good proportion:
=- Basic Shapes – Circles, Squares, Triangles
=- Proportions of Classical and Historic Styles
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- geometrical shapes with good proportion are the circle, triangle, and square
- the eye judges them quickly and classifies them with no difficulty.
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- Greek Architecture – set proportion based on the 3 orders.
- Advanced knowledge of mathematics > application in building (ex. Golden ratio)
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- Gothic Architecture(ex. Clermont-Ferrand Cathedral (France) , Milan Cathedral (Italy) )
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- Renaissance Architecture(ex. Basilica of Santa Marica Novella (Florence, Italy) Façade and
Section ,
-rich variety of geometrical
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Relative Proportion
 Relative proportion
-size of an object in relation to other subjects
 Absolute Proportion
-size of an object in relation to the entirety of the composition

Scale
- refers to how we perceive and judge the size of something based on something else
- size of something compared to a reference standard or to the size of something else
- deals with the relation of architectural elements to each other and to the human figure.
- proper scale in design is a matter of the adjustment of architectural elements to meet the
human needs.
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 Generic – size of a building element relative to other forms in its context

 Human Scale - the size of building elements or space relative to the
dimensions and proportion of a human body.
Intimate, Normal. Monumental, Shocking
 Scalar Sequence
-the same material in different treatments
-contrast of patterns in certain areas
-use of different materials

Balance
- Balance = Equality
- Balance is the foundation upon which arrangement and adjustment of visual weight are
developed
- Proper balance satisfies the eye with reference to the relative importance of the various parts
of the design.

 Symmetrical Balance
-balance that is achieved by arranging elements on either side of the central
axis of a composition in an equally weighted manner.
- Usually hasohiofaspo

 Bilateral Symmetry
-equal weight and importance on both sides.

 Radial Symmetry
-visual balance through objects that are regularly arranged and radiate
from a central point.

 Asymmetrical Balance
-it attempts to satisfy the eye without any effort to place equal masses at
similar distances from the center of the composition
-occult balance
-more subtle and elusive
-more difficult to attain

 Gravitational Balance
-most natural
-adapted to surroundings
-often not attained by conscious compositions
-can involve: placement, size, proportion, quality and direction
- involves “anchors”
- one senses, rather than sees, a state of equilibrium

 Formal Balance
-type of balance which approach absolute symmetry but lacks some of the
essentials of this kind of composition.
Rhythm
- movement characterized by patterned recurrence of elements or motifs at regular or irregular
intervals
- uses reptition and patterns
- continuity
- anticipation

 Movement – motion or development

 Repetition – simple recurrence
 Pattern – a repeated design
 Spacing – pauses in between

Unity
Character