The Principles of Art & Design

The principles of art (or the principles of

design) are essentially a set of criteria
that are used to explain how the visual
elements are arranged in a work of art.
These principles are possibly the closest
thing we have to a set of objective criteria
for analyzing and judging art.

The Principles of Art, are a

guide/directions to arrange the elements
of art into the composition

COMPOSITION
arrangement/layout

Is the way an ARTWORK is arranged so

basically, it’s where everything Is placed The PRINCIPLES ( GUIDE )
in artwork and in what manner
What is the use of principles of art?
The Rule of Thirds
The rule of thirds was designed to
● Tools
simplify the artistic composition. The rule
● Guide
suggests that you break down scenes
● Organization
into nine equal parts separated by two
● Arrangement
evenly spaced horizontal and vertical
● Pattern
lines.
● Criteria

This composition generates more interest

and depth than a centered subject,
engaging the viewer and guiding the eye.
The compositional Tools
Rule of thirds Golden Ratio Golden
triangles Spiral section Golden spiral
Harmonious triangles Cross Focal Mass
V-arrangement Diagonal Radial
L-arrangement Compound curve Pyramid
Circular
Movement - The path the viewer’s eye
takes through the artwork
The action and flow move the viewer’s
eye around and within an image
Balance - The visual weight of an
element is distributed in a way that
makes the composition feel stable
● Relates how the visual elements
art creat visual equilibrium and
helpto create visual

Stability, In order and harmony in he

composition, helps how much they draw
the attention of the audience
 ● Symmetrical balance - The
artworks can be divided in half and
both size

● Asymmetrical balance - A type of BENEFITS of Following the PRINCIPLES

balance in which the two sides of
the artwork are different but still ● Focus - Dynamic composition
feel the stable ● Continuity
● Space
● Radial balance - Elements are ● Direction
arranged around the central point ● Depth
● A sense of expansion - distribution
Unity and harmony - Using similar or of subjects activates the edges of
repeated elements in an artwork to create the photograph
consistency ● Story - Narrative
● Create better photograph
work together to create a pleasing image ● Can communicate great objetivity
forming a whole Blended /merge and consistency

VARIETY
using many different elements to create
PROPORTI
interest or contrast in an artwork

RHYTHM ON
repeating elements in order to create a
feeling of organized movement

PATTERN
•The
a repeated design pattern can be used to
create interest or contrast in an artwork comparative
relationship
SCALE
The comparison of one object to another
in terms of size

PROPORTION
ratio, comparing parts of a whole in terms
of one part
of size

EMPHASIS
to another
What we focus on in an artwork, usually
the largest or most detailed areas
with respect
CONTRAST
The amount of difference between
elements to the size,
quantity or
degree