Principles Of Design
The Elements and Principles of Art
The elements of art and principles of design are the fundamental pieces that make up
an artwork. Most works of art will make use of many or all of the elements and
principles of art. We often judge art by how effectively the artist used these design
fundamentals even before we learn about them. The elements of art are the building
blocks of an artwork:color, line, shape, form, value, texture,[Link] are the
tools artists use when creating an artwork.
The principles of design are how those building blocks i.e. the elements are
arranged:contrast,rhythm,proportion,balance, unity, hierarchy, emphasis,
repetition,scale,harmony,movement,[Link] are the ways an artist can
organize the elements of art to create a wide range of effects.
Each of these art fundamentals are closely related and many of them overlap. When
combined, they produce a complete artistic vision
Principles of Design
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• As a principle of art, contrast refers to the arrangement of opposite
elements and effects. For example, light and dark colors, smooth and
rough textures, large and small shapes. Contrast can be used to
create variety, visual interest, and drama in an artwork.
• Here the artist adds contrast by using the elements of art - line,
value, and shape, but she also adds contrast of emotion showing
the despair of the mother in dark values and lighter sweeter
elements like the heart on the chair in the background.
Contrast Examples
2. Rhythm
• 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.
Rhythm Examples
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• Proportion is the size relationship between the various parts of an
artwork. Artists can use the scale and proportion to create
sensations such as depth, realism, disorientation, and drama.
• The human figure is scaled to appear larger than the city skyline.
The proportions could indicate depth of perspective or could
symbolize the relationship of laborers in building a city.
Proportion Examples
4. Scale
• Scale in art describes the size of one object in relation to another and
also refers to our perception of perspective and proportion.
Artworks that look realistic are scaled similarly to real world objects.
Scale in art can also refer to the overall size of the work.
• In this example, the artist uses scale to show the space or depth
between the girl and the house in the background.
Scale Example
5. Hierarchy
• Hierarchy is a technique used in art, most often in sculpture and painting,
in which the artist depicts objects with an unnatural scale to show their
importance or lack thereof. This size manipulation draws the viewer’s eye
where the artist wants attention.
• Ancient Egyptian artists are well-known for their use of hierarchical scale.
In this example of hierarchical scale in art, the artist shows the man as
largest (most important) and the child smallest (least important). The
figures are in proportion within the figure but out of proportion with the
other figures in the picture.
Hierarchy Example
6. Balance
• As a principle of art, balance refers to the distribution of weight in a
composition. While actual weight is a factor in sculpture and
architecture, the principle of balance most often refers to the visual
heaviness of shapes and forms in an artwork. An artwork’s balance
affects the equality and tension of the composition and can lend a
feeling of calm or chaos to the work.
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a)Symmetrical Balance
• An artwork with symmetrical balance is well-balanced and looks
even and stable. When one side of an artwork mirrors the other, it
has absolute symmetry. When the symmetrical balance is not exact,
it is called bilateral symmetry.
b) Asymmetrical Balance
• An artwork with asymmetrical balance is “heavier” or “lighter” in
some areas, looks unstable, and can make the viewer uncomfortable.
Asymmetric balance adds a dynamic look to artworks and often
draws attention to focal points in the composition.
In this example of asymmetrical balance in art, the artist balances
• the heavy black figure on the right with the curtain on the left. If
the curtain were a different size or a different color, the balance
would be thrown off.
c) Radial Balance
• An artwork with radial balance is arranged around a central
component. Forms and objects in a radically balanced composition
appear to radiate out of the circular focal point of the artwork.
• With radial balance, like in the example of radial balance below, one
can imagine the artwork as equal pieces of a pie.
Balance Examples
7. Unity
• Unity similar to Harmony is a design principle that refers to the
togetherness of an artwork—how whole, consistent and complete it
appears. Unity in art is not necessarily just a repetition of the same element
over and over again, but it is the pleasing combination of elements to
create a harmonious composition.
• In this example of unity in art, Botero creates unity through subject
matter, through rhythm, and through repetition of form, shape, and color.
Unity Examples
8. Emphasis
• As a principle of art, emphasis refers to the area of an artwork that
dominates attention or draws interest. It is often the place a viewer
looks first. Artists create emphasis by contrasting the elements of
art, such as color or shape.
Emphasis Examples
9. Movement
• Movement can be thought of in two ways – the first refers to how an artist depicts
movement using the elements and principles of art. The second way refers to the visual
flow of an artwork, indicated by the path a viewer’s eyes take as they look at the
artwork.
• Lines, edges, shapes, and colors can be utilized by the artist to point the way through an
artwork as a map for our eyes to follow.
• In this example of movement in art, the artist shows the movement of the wind
through the shapes of the paper. The lines of the figures and the lines of the billowing
clothing convey movement in art as well.
Movement Examples
10. Variety
• Variety refers to the elements of a composition that differ from one
another. Variety creates visual interest and energy.
• A lot of variety can make an artwork look busy or overwhelming.
When paired with unity, variety offers the viewer points of interest.
Variety Examples
11. Harmony
Harmony Examples
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• The principle of repetition simply means the reusing of the same or
similar elements throughout your design. Repetition of certain
design elements in a design will bring a clear sense of unity,
consistency and [Link] the use of similar or connected
pictorial [Link] example, similar shapes, coloursor lines
that are used more than once.
• Repetitioncan be regular or irregular and even or uneven.
• Itcan be in the form of RADIATION where the repeated elements
spread out from a central point.
• Also can be in the form of GRADATION where the repeated
elements slowly become smaller or larger. Repetition works with
pattern to make the artwork seem active. The repetition of
elements of design creates unity within the artwork.
Repetition Examples
Thank You!