PRINCIPLES OF DESIGN Prepared by: Marifer Gayon

BSIS 1A
RHYTHM
The repetition of elements or the use of lines
to give the impression of energy or activity.
 repeating art element in regular or cyclical
fashion to create interest, movement and /or
harmony and unity.
RHYTHM
When motifs or elements are repeated alternated
or otherwise arranged, the intervals between them
or how they overlap can create rhythm and sense of
movement
In visual rhythm , design motifs become the beats
Rhythm can be broadly categorized as random
regular, alternating, flowing, and progressive.
MOTIFS
 can be thought of as units of pattern.
In visual arts they are bounded areas or volumes that contain designs or any desired
combination of art elements.
Ex:
Stamps
Tiles
Building blocks
Modules
REPETITION
 repeated us of a shape, color , or other art
element or design in a work can help unify
different parts into a who.
RANDOM RHYTHM
 groupings of similar motifs or elements that repeat with
no regularity create a random rhythm.
Ex:
pebble beaches field of clover
fall of snow
What may seem random at one scale, however may
exhibit purpose and order at another scale
Rene Magritte- Golconde 1953

Chuck Close – Self Portrait 2007

REGULAR RHYTHM
Like a heart or song with a steady beat,
regular rhythm is created by a series of
elements, often identical or similar that are
placed at regular or similar intervals, such as
in grids. Simple regular rhythms
Jasper Johns – Three Flag 1958
ALTERNATING RHYTHM
 two or more different motifs may be
alternated, such as the black and red squares in
a checkerboard; a single motif might be
flipped, mirrored or rotated every so many
iterations; or the placement or spacing
between motifs can be alternated
M.C Escher- lizard, 1942
FLOWING RHYTHM
 is created by undulating elements and
intervals, bending and curving motifs and
spaces.
Can be seen in streams and waterways,
beaches and waves, sand dunes and glaciers,
rolling hills and wind blown grasses.
GLORIA PETYARRE- BUSH MEDICINE DREAMING 2008
STEVEN HILL- MELON
PITCHER 2010
PROGRESSIVE RHYTHM
Each time a motif repeats it changes a little,
transforming and translating in steady
sequence- the motif progresses from one thing
to another
MARCEL DUCHAMP-
NUDE DESCENDING
A STAIRCASE(NO. 2)
1912
PATTERN

 Are groups of elements or motifs that

repeat in a predictable manner.
 10 EXAMPLES OF DIFFERENT CLASSES OF
PATTERNS

1. Spheres
MOSAICS OR NESTS

The Empress Theodora and Retinue Zac Freeman- Garret 2009

The Basilica od St. Vitale
LACTTICES
Two or three dimensional array of
regularly spaced points.
POLYHEDRA
Three dimensional object whose surfaces are
defined by polygonal faces or facets,
SPIRALS
HELICES
- A THREE DIMENSIONAL SPIRAL
MEANDERS
-ARE THE SINUOUS BENDS THAT STREAMS AND RIVERS
SOMETIMES MAKE, WHICH LEND THE NAME TO ANYTHING
SNAKING, WINDING.
BRANCHING AND
CIRCULATION
WAVES
SYMMETRY
VARIETY OR
VARIATION
VARIETY
Use of several elements of design to hold the viewer’s attention
and to guide the viewers eye through and around the work of art
A principle of design, it refers to a way of combining the art
elements in involved ways to achieve intricate and complex
relation-ships. Variety is often obtained through the use of
diversity and change by artists who wish to increase the visual
interest of their work. A photo which uses many different hues,
values, lines, textures, and shapes would reflect the artistʼs desire
for variety.