THE PRINCIPLES

OF ART DESIGN
THE PRINCIPLES OF ART DESIGN

DESIGN
✓The proper arrangement of the different art
elements in order to produce something beautiful.

✓The design of things makes objects differ from one

perception to another
THE PRINCIPLES OF ART DESIGN

GOOD DESIGN
✓ result of careful and
correct application
of the principles of
design
ELEMENTS OF ARTS PERCEPTION OF ART
DESIGN
THE PRINCIPLES OF ART DESIGN

1.HARMONY
2.RHYTHM
3.BALANCE
4.PROPORTION
5.EMPHASIS
HARMONY
✓ Principle which produces an
impression of unity through the
selection and arrangement of
consistent objects or ideas.

✓ It is the quality which unifies every

part of an arrangement.
5 ASPECTS of H A R M O N Y
1. HARMONY OF LINES
AND SHAPES

✓ Lines are made harmonious

by either repeating the
shape of the lines or by
connecting transitional lines
to contrasting lines
5 ASPECTS of H A R M O N Y
Transitional Line/Merely Transition
- usually a curved, graceful line
which connects two opposing or
contrasting lines.

Contrasting/Opposing Lines
- a straight line which intersects
each other and form angles
Repetition
- If a small rectangle is placed within
another a bigger triangle so their sides
are parallel
- It shows harmony
5 ASPECTS of H A R M O N Y

2. HARMONY OF SIZE

✓ refers to good proportion

5 ASPECTS of H A R M O N Y
3. HARMONY OF COLOR

✓ Creating harmony of color

means two or more colors in
decorating an article or object.

Two standard/groups of color

harmonies

❖ Related harmonies
❖ Contrasting harmonies
5 ASPECTS of H A R M O N Y
4. HARMONY OF TEXTURE

✓ The character of texture can

be determined by feeling
the object with fingertips or
by looking at it.

✓ Coarse texture should not

be combines with fine
texture
5 ASPECTS of H A R M O N Y
5. HARMONY OF IDEA

✓ It is not enough that shapes,

sizes and textures have
something in common: There
must be harmony in the idea
presented together.

✓ Combining antique and

modern furniture in the
same room does not show
harmony of idea
RHYTHM

✓is the regular, uniform or related visual movement through

the repetition of a unit or motif.

✓Is the basis of almost all performing arts because it is the

principle which is more quickly felt.

✓A strong, regular, repeated pattern of movement or sound

✓Synchronization
RHYTHM
✓ MOTIF - a decorative design or pattern

✓ A dominant feature or part repeated in a design or decoration

✓ Repitition of unit creates a feeling movement or rhythm.

✓ Rhythm is classified into two: Formal and Informal

❖Formal/Uniform Rhythm - The repetition of a motif in

regular arrangement.

❖Informal/Free Rhythm - The repetition of a motif with

variation in its form and arrangement
Formal/Uniform Rhythm
Informal/Free Rhythm
BALANCE

What is balance?
- is a condition or quality which gives a feeling of rest,
repose, equilibrium or stability.

- It is the visual weights of lines, forms, values, texture and

colors that we really balance.

Visual weight- is the quality which gains and hold

attention.
BALANCE

1.Formal or Symmetrical Balance

2.Informal or Obvious Balance

Formal or Symmetrical Balance

✓Is the balance of equal visual weight place at equal
distances from the axis.
BALANCE
BALANCE

Formal Balance may be subdivided into two:

Bisymmetrical Balance- is the balance of identical

object (Identical in form, value, size, texture and
color). It is uninteresting pictorially.

Symmetrical or Obvious Balance- is the balance of

objects with nearly identical description.
BALANCE
BALANCE
2. Informal or Asymmetrical Balance

-is the balance of unequal visual weights, the heavier

one being nearer the axis and the lighter one farther.

-It is sometimes to as occult balance and free balance.

BALANCE
PROPORTION
✓ Proportion is the art principle which shows pleasing
relationship between a whole and its parts and
between the part themselves.
✓ Proportions are generally expressed in terms of ratios.

There 2 types of Greek Proportion

➢Two Dimesional or flat surface is the greek oblong or
rectangle. Ratio is two is to three (2:3).
PROPORTION
PROPORTION
3 ASPECTS OF P R O P O R T I O N
1.Proportion in the grouping of objects
2.Proportion in space divisions
3. Proportion in scales
Grouping of Objects - also called arrangement, may show good or bad
proportion

❖ It is more pleasing to group 3 objects with another three, two objects with
three than to group two objects with two or two with four. Because odd
numbers are more interesting then even numbers.

❖ Very small objects should not be grouped with very large ones. Otherwise,
they will be out of proportion.
EMPHASIS
✓Artists use emphasis to make
certain parts of their artwork
standout and grab your attention

✓It may be the outline, form,

color, texture, size, idea, or value
of an object/artwork.
EMPHASIS
METHODS of EMPHASIZING OBJECTS
1. By arrangement or
grouping of Objects

✓ an orderly group of things

considered as a unit

✓should be located at the center

and should be the biggest and
brightest in colors
METHODS of EMPHASIZING OBJECTS
2. By Decoration

✓ An object or an act
intended to increase the
beauty of a person, room
etc.

✓ Something nice that you

put on or in something
else to make it look more
attractive.
METHODS of EMPHASIZING OBJECTS
3. By Color Contrast

✓ It depends on how high the

saturation is.

✓ With less saturation, the

tonal contrast becomes
noticeable. With more
saturation, the color contrast
takes over.
METHODS of EMPHASIZING OBJECTS
4. By the Use of Plain
Background Space

-Simple decorations
which are placed against
sufficient plain
background will be more
emphatic than when the
background space is
small.
METHODS of EMPHASIZING OBJECTS

5. By Unusual Lines,
Shapes, and Colors

✓ Novelty or newness can

also draw attention to a
specific element or work.
It is difficult to keep the
eye away from
extraordinary figures or
subjects.
METHODS of EMPHASIZING OBJECTS

6. By Action or
Movement

✓ Dynamic illustrations
usually attract more
attention than
passive ones.
OTHER ART PRINCIPLES
1. Novelty or Newness

- A new dress style appears

more attractive and interesting
than ordinary dress design.
Novelty provides the best
opportunity for developing
one's creative ability.
OTHER ART PRINCIPLES
2. Variety or Variation

✓ A set of furniture which is

arranged in a certain way and
remains as it is for long periods of
time appears to be monotonous.

✓ Variation in the arrangement or

style of furniture makes the space
of the furniture occupies more
interesting and attractive.
OTHER ART PRINCIPLES
3. Utility, Adaptility or
Function

✓ A work of art must not

only possess beauty but
also utility. The object
must be adaptable to
the purpose for which it
is made.
OTHER ART PRINCIPLES
4. Contrasts

✓ This art principle is synonymous to opposition

or contradiction.
✓ It has some relationships with balance and
emphasis.
✓ Two contrasting lines or colors may balance
each other.
✓ The center of interest in a composition is in
contrast with the subordinating parts in the
same composition
THANK YOU!