Principles of Design

The principles of design include; Certain qualities inherent in the choice and arrangement of elements of art in the production of a work of art. Artists "design" their works to varying degrees by controlling and ordering the elements of art. Considering the principles is especially useful in analyzing ways in which a work is pleasing in formal ways. The principles of design include; balance emphasis movement harmony pattern proportion rhythm unity variety

Balance Refers to the way the elements of art are arranged to create a feeling of stability in a work. Portions of a composition can be described as taking on a measurable weight, and can then be arranged in such a way that they appear to be either in or out of balance, or to have one kind of balance or another. Balance can be symmetrical, asymmetrical, or radial.

Symmetry or Symmetrical Balance The parts of an image or object organized so that one side duplicates, or mirrors, the other.

Asymmetry or Asymmetrical Balance One side of a composition does not reflect the design of the other. Asymmetrical balance is the kind of balance in which the parts of a design are organized so that one side differs from the other without destroying that composition's overall harmony. Consequently, when an asymmetrical design is disturbingly off balance, the result is disharmony.

Radial or Radial balance Radial or rotational balance is any type of balance based on a circle with its design extending from or focused upon its center.

Emphasis Any forcefulness that gives importance to some feature or features of an artwork; something singled out, stressed, or drawn attention to for aesthetic impact. A way of combining elements to stress the differences between those elements and to create one or more centers of interest in a work. Often, emphasized elements are used to direct and focus attention on the most important parts of a composition — its focal point. A design lacking emphasis may result in monotony.

Movement The arrangement of the parts of an image to create a sense of motion by using lines, shapes, forms, and textures that cause the eye to move over the work.

Harmony As a principle of design, harmony refers to a way of combining elements of art to accent their similarities and bind the picture parts into a whole.

Pattern The repetition of any thing -- shapes, lines, or colors -- also called a motif, in a design.

Proportion Proportion refers to the comparative, proper, or harmonious relationship of one part to another or to the whole with respect to size, quantity, or degree.

Rhythm A visual tempo or beat. The principle of design that refers to a regular repetition of elements of art to produce the look and feel of movement. It is often achieved through the careful placement of repeated components which invite the viewer's eye to jump rapidly or glide smoothly from one to the next.

unity The quality of wholeness or oneness that is achieved through the effective use of the elements and principles of design. A totality that combines all of its parts into one complete, cohesive whole. A composition is unified when the relationships between its parts interact to create a sense that no portion of the composition may be changed without altering the aesthetic integrity and meaning of the artwork.

variety A principle of design that refers to a way of combining elements of art in involved ways to achieve intricate and complex relationships. Variety is often obtained through the use of diversity and change by artists who wish to increase the visual interest of their work. An artwork which makes use of many different hues, values, lines, textures, and shapes would reflect the artist's desire for variety. Unity is the principle which is its variety's opposite; but when there is too little variety, the result is monotony.