Principles of Design

The principles of design are a set of guidelines to be considered when creating an artwork. These guidelines are how the elements of art are arranged and used to create art. For example, in the images below, the artist used the elements of art line and value just like you will in your first project.

Black and white ink student line drawing Black and white student line drawing of two faces stacked atop each other

This drawing of a pug below, shows the principles of design, variety, seen as a variety of types of lines, emphasis, seen in the radial design around the pug face to make it the focal point, and rhythm, shown in how the lines are arranged and create movement throughout the piece.

Photo of student black and white drawing of a pug.

Principles of design include movement, variety, balance, unity, emphasis, rhythm, contrast, and proportion.

Movement - Movement is the action or path that a viewer's eye will follow through a piece of artwork. Movement can also be how an eye "moves" through a work of art.
Variety - Variety is the presence of showing characteristics, forms, or types to create visual interest. This is commonly achieved through the use of contrast, emphasis, and variations in size and color.
Balance - Balance is arranging elements to create a visual sense of equilibrium. If a work is balanced, no one part of the work overpowers or seems heavier than any other part. The two types of balance are symmetrical (formal) and asymmetrical (informal). Symmetrical balance is when both sides of a piece are the same (like the face) and asymmetrical is when each side is different.
Unity - Unity is the use of the elements and principles to create a sense of wholeness in a composition. This is also known as harmony.
Emphasis - Emphasis is where the focus of the piece is directed through the use of the design. Focal points are the areas where the artist draws the viewer's eye to that specific place in the piece. This can be achieved through contrast, emphasis, and variety.
Rhythm - Rhythm is movement created through the repetition of consistent lines, colors, and shapes. This can make a piece seem active. Rhythm can be regular, alternating, flowing, progressive, and random.
Contrast - Contrast provides something to break the repetition of a piece through strongly differing elements to create interest.
Proportion - refers to the relative size and scale of the various elements in a design. The issue is the relationship between objects, or parts, of a whole. This means that it is necessary to discuss proportion in terms of the context.

IMAGES IN PUBLIC DOMAIN AND CREATED BY GAVS