The Principles of Design

The Principles are like a cake. The elements are the ingredients that
you can put together to make a yummy cake. If the ingredients for a
cake are mixed incorrectly, the cake will taste bad.
Similarly, if the Elements of Design are used in such a way it is
possible the final work of art isn’t successful.
Each Principle of Design is like a cake flavor- chocolate, carrot, angel
food, etc!
Balance
Balance is the equalizing
visual forces, or elements,
in a work of art. There are
3 types of balance:

Symmetrical – both
sides of the artwork
carry equal weight
Asymmetrical – one
part of the artwork
carries more weight
than the other parts.
Overall balance is
achieved by placing
many smaller items
opposite the larger
ones.
Radial – the image radiates out from a central point in the artwork
What type
of balance
do you
see here?
Here?
Here?
Here?
Here?
Here?
Emphasis
Emphasis calls attention
to a point in the artwork.
The point of interest is
usually in contrast to the
surrounding space.
How is the subject of this painting being emphasized?
Where does your eye go and why?
Contrast
Contrast is a technique
for creating a focal point
by using differences in
elements
Contrast in this picture is made using line, value and texture.
Size is also a way to create contrast in a picture.
Why do you think the artist
painted her portrait this
way?
 Pattern
The repeating of an object of symbol throughout the
artwork creates a pattern. The repetition may be
organized or random.
What are the
repeating
patterns here?
Which is more
interesting to look
at: one soup can or
many cans placed
in a pattern?
What do you
see?

What is being
repeated?
What patterns
do you see in this
M.C. Escher
drawing?
Mosaic, which is the creative
installment of small ceramic tiles, is
a very easy and common way to
create patterns in architecture.
This is another
drawing by M.C.
Escher. What
do you see
here?

What does it
remind you of?
Do you see where M.C. Escher got his inspiration?
Rhythm
Rhythm is the
principle that
indicates movement
by the repetition of
elements. Visual
rhythm is perceived
through the eyes
and is created by
repeating positive
spaces separated
by negative spaces.
What do you see?

What does it sound

like?
Movement
Movement is the
creation of the
illusion of action or
physical change in
position.

Can you see

yourself sliding
down this image?
How does your
eye move
through the
painting?

Where do you
see first and what
path does your
eye take?
Which way are they spinning?
Unity
Unity is the quality of
wholeness or oneness
that is achieved through
the effective use of the
elements and principles
of design.
 What kind of
balance is
represented
Do you see any
here?
patterns?

What is being
emphasized?
What kinds of
contrast do
you see?

Fernando Botero – A Family (1996)

 Do you see rhythm?
What kind of balance does this painting have?

Archibald Motley – Nightlife (1943)

Where are the patterns?

Where do you see movement?