1. THE PRINCIPLES OF VISUAL DESIGN
Balance
Rhythm/Repetition
Movement
Emphasis
Pattern
Unity
Contrast
Proportion/Scale
The principles of design are referred to using a variety of terms but the following list covers them all:
Balance
Rhythm
Movement
Emphasis
Pattern
Repetition
Unity Contrast
Proportion
Size
Scale
In Multimedia we will focus on just the following:
Rhythm or Movement
Proportion or Scale or Size
Unity or Variety

2. Principles of Design: Balance
Every composition should have some form of balance. Three types of balance:
Symmetrical - has an axis of symmetry
Asymmetrical - counterbalance (ex. Move large object toward center to counter balance smaller object further out)
Radial - patterned in nature, like flowers, shells, etc.
Symmetrical = has an axis of symmetry
Asymmetrical = counterbalance (ex. Move large object toward center to counter balance smaller object further out)
Radial = patterned in nature, like flowers, shells, etc.

4. Principles of Design: Rhythm/Movement
Regular
Irregular
Vertical
Diagonal
Progressive
Flowing
Horizontal
Curving
To view examples of Rhythm click here.

6. Principles of Design: Eye Movement
Vertical
Horizontal
Diagonal
Circular
Radial
Rectangular
Triangular
Eye Movement - Visual movement directs our eyes through a design along lines, edges, colors or paths of equal value. It is an extremely powerful force in creating strong visual design. If you understand this design principle, you can create more effective interactive multimedia designs.
Eye Movement - Visual movement directs our eyes through a design along lines, edges, colors or paths of equal value. It is an extremely powerful force in creating strong visual design. If you understand this design principle, you can create more effective interactive multimedia designs.
To view examples of Movement click here.

7. Radial Eye Movement
Recognize Movement (how the eye is directed) in a visual design.
As you find examples of each of the kinds of [eye] Movement, note that you are not looking for pictures of “moving” cars or objects shaped like the diagram on the page. Pay attention to how the design controls the way your eye moves around in the design.
You may also want to use some method to trace the path that your eye takes as it moves around from one element to another. Does the path repeat the one in the diagram?
Recognize Movement (how the eye is directed) in a visual design.
As you find examples of each of the kinds of [eye] Movement, note that you are not looking for pictures of “moving” cars or objects shaped like the diagram on the page. Pay attention to how the design controls the way your eye moves around in the design.
You may also want to use some method to trace the path that your eye takes as it moves around from one element to another. Does the path repeat the one in the diagram?

8. Horizontal Eye Movement

9. Vertical Eye Movement

10. Circular Eye Movement

11. Rectangular Eye Movement

12. Triangular Eye Movement

13. Diagonal Eye Movement

14. Principles of Design- #3 Emphasis
placement
dominance
focal point
center of interest
shape
isolation
size
contrast
converging lines
To view examples of Emphasis click here.

16. Examples of Size

17. Examples of Size

18. Principles of Design- #4 Proportion
miniature
monumental
scale
exaggerated
To view examples of Proportion click here.

19. Principles of Design- #5 Pattern
repetition
motif
module
all-over
To view examples of Pattern click here.

21. Principles of Design- # 6 Unity/Variety
repetition
simplicity
harmony
theme and variation
proximity
continuity
contrast
To view examples of Unity/Variety click here.

23. To view examples of Contrast click here.

24. Check your Understanding of Principles of Design
Complete page 10 of the principles worksheet the do Assignment #3 Design Principle Examples
Be sure to save the assignment to your student folder.