Learning Objectives:

1. Identify the principles of design

2. Define and translate principles

of design in an artwork

3. Create an artwork depicting the

various principles of design
 Principles
of Art
and Design
GE 108- Art Appreciation - Lesson 7
Meaning and Nature
of the Principles
of Art and Design
 While an artist not use the principles of design in one
piece, the principles are intertwined and the use of one
will often depend on another.

When creating emphasis, the artist might also be

using contrast of vice versa. It is generally agreed that a
successful painting is unified while also having some
variety created by areas of contrast and emphasis, is
visually balanced; and moves the viewer’s eyes around
the composition. Thus, it is that one principle of art that
can influence the effect and impact of another.
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
-good design is the result of careful and correct
application of the principles of design.
-the most important factor for artist to remember is to
execute these principles I order to achieve beauty and
better perception

Elements of arts are parts of a whole while

Perceptions of art design are rules or guides to help
one put these elements together.
 The foundation of art design are the foundation in
creating an art. They represent how the artist, the
elements of art to create a better effect as well as to
help the artist to convey his intent.

The use of this principles will tell us whether an art

(for example, painting) is successful and beautiful and
whether or not the painting is finished.

The artist has the right to choose which principles

of design he wants to use in his art work.
 Architects, engineers, painters, sculptors and other
artists are not the only designers in the world, everybody
is a designer. We are all designers in all our ways. It would
be very beneficial for us to be familiar with the Principles
of Art Design - harmony, rhythm, balance, proportions
and emphasis.
 1. Harmony
5 Aspects
The principle of which
produces an impression of Harmony
of unity through the 1.Harmony of Lines
selection and and Shapes
arrangement of 2.Harmony of Size
consistent object or ideas. 3.Harmony of Color
If there is harmony there 4.Harmony of
is order. Every orderly
Texture
arrangement is
harmonious.
5.Harmony of Idea
1. Harmony of lines and Shapes
Lines are made harmonious by either repeating the shape of the
lines or by connecting transitional lines to contracting lines. A
transitional line or merely transition is usually a curved, a graceful
line which connects two opposing or contrasting lines. The latter
are straight lines which intersect each other and form angles.
Lines made in this manner are called contrasting or opposing lines.
Contradiction strictly speaking is a form of transition but because
it is not harmonious, it may be classified under the lines in
contrast. Contradiction is straight line connecting two opposing
lines diagonally.
If a small rectangle is placed within a bigger rectangle so that their
sides are parallel the resulting figure is an example of repetition .
Repetition shows harmony. Rugs and large furniture should
therefore follow the lines of the room.
2. Harmony of Size
Harmony of size refers to a good proportion.

3. Harmony of Color
Creating a harmony of color means using to two or more in
decorating an article or object. It does not mean the mixing of
colors. A girl for instance may use three colors in her dress, that is
the blouse may be pink, the skirt is dark red, and the buttons on
the blouse is dark red. There are two standards or groups of color
harmonies; related harmonies and contrasting harmonies.

4. Harmony of Texture
The character of texture can be determined by feeling the
object with the finger tips or by looking at it. Course textures
should not be combined with fine textures.
5. Harmony of Idea
Combining antique and modern furniture in the same room
does not show harmony of idea. A store window displaying
dresses, hardware and school supplies would be a very poor
display.
2. Rhythm is a principle of design that suggests movement or
action. Rhythm is usually achieved through repetition of lines,
shapes, colors, and more. It creates a visual tempo in artworks
and provides a path for the viewer’s eye to follow. we find
rhythm not only in painting and architecture but also in music,
dance and poetry.

Examples of Rhythm in Art

 Kinds of Rhythm
1. Alternating rhythm describes an artwork that contains a
repetition of two or more components that are used
interchangeably. Some alternating rhythm examples include
alternating light and dark colors or placing various shapes and/or
colors in a repeating pattern.
2. Random rhythm describes an artwork that contains repeating
elements without a specified order or arrangement. Some
random rhythm examples include splatters of paint or shells on a
beach.
Flowing rhythm describes an artwork that contains curved or
circular elements that give the art movement. Some flowing
rhythm examples include flowers, clouds, or waves.

Regular rhythm describes an artwork that contains repeating

elements with a specified order or arrangement that can be
measured. Some regular rhythm examples include evenly spaced
windows or tiles.
 Progressive rhythm describes an artwork that contains
repeating elements in a pattern that change either in size or
color as they repeat. Some progressive rhythm examples
include building blocks arranged from smallest to largest and
spirals.

https://artclasscurator.com/rhythm-in-art-examples/
Balance refers to the overall distribution of visual weight in a
composition. A well-balanced composition feels comfortable to look
at.

A condition or quality which gives a feeling of rest, repose,

equilibrium or stability

Each visual component of an artwork has visual weight. Different

than actual weight, visual weight is not measured using a scale but
must be observed instead. Visual weight balances around an
artwork’s axis. The axis may be vertical, in which visual elements
balance on both sides of the axis. Artworks may also balance around
a horizontal axis, in which visual elements balance from top to
bottom.
There are three types of balance: symmetric, asymmetric and
radial.  Symmetric and radially balanced artworks
use formal balance. Asymmetric balance is quite different and
is also referred to as informal balance.
1. Symmetrical Balance
Symmetry is a type of formal balance in which two halves of an
artwork mirror each other. This type of balance is familiar and
common. The human body is balanced symmetrically as is our
planet, our cars, clothes, furniture etc. Symmetry imposes a
strong sense of order and stability on both the composition and
the subject. Approximate symmetry is just symmetry with a touch
of variety. When using approximate symmetry, elements on
either side of a compositional axis are similar in size and shape
and number but are not mirror images of one another.
Radial Balance
Radial balance is symmetry in several directions. Visual elements
are arranged around a central point in the composition, like the
spokes on a wagon wheel. Often, radially balanced designs are
circular. Other shapes lend themselves to radial balance as well –
squares, hexagons, octagons, stars, etc.
In nature, we most easily observe radial balance in the form of
flowers.
Radial balance is prevalent in human design as well; car wheels,
architectural domes, clocks, man-hole covers, a compass, etc.
Asymmetric Balance
Asymmetry is informal and seems less organized than symmetry.
The two halves of a balanced asymmetric artwork do not look the
same but have similar visual weights. Asymmetric balance is more
subjective than both symmetry and radial symmetry.

Asymmetry allows for more variety in a composition than

symmetrically balanced designs. It provides the same
“comfortable” feeling as symmetry without using like elements on
each side of a central axis.

Many artists appreciate asymmetric balance because it feels less

rigid and more realistic than symmetric balance. Although
symmetry makes clear the artist’s desire to present a visually
balanced image, asymmetric balance does not happen by accident,
but instead requires planning and intention.
Example of asymmetrical/ informal balance
Proportion in the art principle which shows pleasing relationship
between a whole and its parts and between the parts
themselves. It can be achieved through proper arrangement of
space divisions. Proportions are generally expressed in terms of
ratios. There are three aspects of proportion: proportion in the
grouping of objects, proportion in space division and scale.
Emphasis is the principle of art that helps the audience put
the story of a painting together in their own minds. Any
object or area of emphasis is called a focal point. The focal
point is meant to be the part of an artwork to which the
viewer’s eyes are first attracted.  Artworks can have multiple
focal points. The degree to which the focal points stand out
determines the order in which the viewer notices them.

The most essential factor in emphasis is simplicity. This is

the guiding principle of the Greek and Japanese arts. There
is no dominance without subordination and no
subordination without dominance.
Methods of Emphasizing Objects
1. By arrangement or grouping of objects. If objects are
grouped together , the one to be emphasized should be
located at the center and should be the biggest and
brightest in color.
2. By decoration objects which have decorations are given more
emphasis than those without them.
3. By color contrast . Contrasting colors such as the complimentary
combination and the triads are more emphatic- than analogous or
any other related harmonies. Hues of green intensities are more
noticeable than those having lower intensities. The use of
contrasting values makes one value more dominant than the other.
Visual movement is the principle of art used to create the
impression of action in a work of art.

It is the result of using the elements of art that they move the
viewer’s eye around and within the image. A sense of movement
can be created by diagonal or curvy lines either real or implied by
edges by the illusion of space, by repetition by energetic-mark-
making.
Pattern is the uniform repetition of any of the elements of art or
any combination thereof. Anything can be turned into pattern
through repetition. Some classic patterns are spiral, grids, weaves.
For examples of different pattern types: zentangles and artlandia
Utility/ Variety
Unity is the principle of art that gives an artwork a feeling
of “oneness”. Unity and harmony are similar, but unity is
more broad. There are numerous ways to create unity in
art. Some of those ways are particular to individual artist’s
style.
Unity is about separate parts working together. We can
better understand unity by thinking about a car. A car’s
purpose is to provide transportation. When the many
parts of a car are working together, it moves. No part of
the car, separated from the whole, is capable of providing
transportation. When the car functions as it should, the
parts are working together in unity.
Like harmony and variety, unity is not easy to
understand at first. Different from the elements of art,
unity is an impression – a feeling the artwork conveys
to the viewer.
One can imagine a solitary shape and hold that shape
in the mind. One cannot, however, simply imagine
unity and hold that concept in the mind. We must
evaluate unity by looking and analyzing. Therefore,
developing unity in artworks requires the artist to pay
attention to its development throughout the process
of creating.
Variety is the principle of art that adds interest to
an artwork.
Variety works through juxtaposition and contrast.
When an artist places different visual elements next
to one another, he/she is using variety. Straight lines
next to curvy lines add variety. Organic shapes
among geometric shapes add variety. Bright colors
next to dull colors add variety.
Novelty of newness A new style of dress appears more
attractive and interesting than ordinary dress design. Novelty
provides the best opportunity for developing one’s creative
ability.
Novelty (derived from Latin word novus for “new”) is the
quality of being new. Although it may be said to have an
objective dimension (e.g. a new style of art coming into being,
such as abstract art or impressionism) it essentially exists in the
subjective perceptions of individuals.
Utility, Adaptability, or Function a work of art must not
always posses beauty but also utility. The object must be
adaptable to the purpose for which it is made. This is especially
true to all practical arts. in designing modern structures,
functions is now the first considerations
Contrast 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.