Principles of DesignBuilding blocks of creating and interpreting Art

What are the Principles of Design?

Used for creating and evaluating art The Principles of Design are useful for

organizing a composition Some works of art contain some or

none of the Principles of Design

Movement

Associated with Rhythm, an arrangement of parts to create a sense of motion to the viewers eye. Movement can also move the viewer’s eye toward a focal point. Attributes of Movement▪ Implied Movement: association of movement

from a moving object (i.e. water, cars, people, etc)

▪ Optical Movement: movement of the viewers eye across an area by using color or shapes

Katsushika HokusaiThe Great Wave of Kanagawa

Pablo PicassoGuernica1937

Pattern

Created by repeating lines, shapes or other elements in an organized way Attributes of Pattern▪ Repetition:▪ Regular Pattern: patterns that repeat in a

linear way (i.e. shingles, bricks, tiles, etc)▪ Radial Pattern: patterns that are symmetrical

when cut in half (i.e. leaves, carpets, flowers, etc)▪ Irregular: shapes or lines found from nature

Chartres CathedralRose Window1215

Andy WarholCampbell’s Soup

Greek Vase

Rhythm

Design principle based on the repetition of art elements. Developing rhythm can help unify a work of Art. Attributes of Rhythm:▪ Rhythm can be planned or unplanned

placement of repeating elements or objects. Varying the repetition of objects will create better interest.

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Jacob LawrenceBarber Shop1946

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Auguste RodinThree Shades1881

Contrast

The difference of art elements in a composition Attributes of Contrast▪ Value: Amount of contrast▪ Color: Compliments▪ Shape: Variation of shape

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Larry PoonsOrange Crush1963

Emphasis

One element in a composition stands out from the rest of the composition Attributes of Emphasis▪ Focal Point: the point in the composition where

the viewer’s eye is attracted to first▪ Contrast: color and shape can create

emphasis by changing its value

Balance

The distribution of visual weight in an art work. Attributes of Balance▪ Radial: type of balance that originates from a

circular center▪ Formal: symmetrical balance▪ Informal: asymmetrical balance

Georgia O’KeeffeOriental Poppies1927

Mark RothkoOriental Poppies1927

James WhistlerArrangement in Gray and Black1871

Unity

Describes the way the artwork is treated as a whole. It is when all the principles and elements work as a whole.

Attributes of Unity▪ Proximity: creating groups of objects▪ Similarity: making things similar to one

another▪ Continuation: creating a flow of vision

Vincent Van GoghThe Starry Night(1889)

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Leonardo Da VinciMona Lisa(1503-1519)

Andy WarholShot Orange Marilyn1964