QUICK REVIEW THE ELEMENTS OF THE ELEMENTS OF

DESIGNDESIGNThe elements of design are the ingredients that go into a recipe, while the principles of design are the recipe telling you what to do with the ingredients. In other words, the principles are the rules by which you arrange the elements.

THE PRINCIPLESBALANCECONTRAST (VARIETY)EMPHASISPROPORTION (SCALE)UNITYRHYTHMMOVEMENTPATTERN

BALANCEBalance is the consideration of visual weight and

importance.

Photo by: Mrs. Vejar-Olwert

SYMMETRICAL BALANCEThe butterfly by itself is

essentially symmetrical.  Both sides are similar in visual weight and almost mirrored. Because symmetrical balance often looks more stiff and formal, sometimes it is called formal balance.

ASYMMETRICAL BALANCEAsymmetrical balance can be more interesting. In this photo both sides are similar in visual weight but not mirrored. It is more casual, dynamic, and relaxed feeling so it is often called informal balance.

ASYMMETRICAL BALANCEIn this Edward Hopper Painting, the balance is clearly informal (asymmetrical). The colors are being balanced from left to right, and top to bottom.

RADIAL BALANCERadial balance is not very common in artist's compositions, but it is like a daisy or sunflower with everything arranged around a center. Rose windows of cathedrals use this design system.

RADIALThis tessellation has multiple radial points at the nose and tail of each fish making an interesting pattern.

CONTRASTContrast is achieved by using opposite elements in an artwork to create interest. Such opposites include, but are not limited to:• SIZE• SHAPE• COLOR• VALUE• TEXTURE

CONTRAST

Sometimes, we simply need contrast to be able to see things better.

Photo by: Mrs. Vejar-Olwert

EMPHASIS

Emphasis is the focal point in an artwork, or the most important part. The water lily is the focal point in this photo because it is so bright and centered.

Photo by: Mrs. Vejar-Olwert

EMPHASIS

Andrew Wyeth uses placement and size to emphasize the girl in his painting entitled, “Christina’s World”

PROPORTION Proportion is the comparative relationship of one part to another, such as the size, amounts, or number of elements in an artwork. Here, the obvious comparison is the size. The proportion of the people compared to the canyon is small.

Photo by: Mrs. Vejar-Olwert

PROPORTION

Here, the large amounts of people are out of proportion compared to the number of people the building can hold.

Photo by: Mrs. Vejar-Olwert

UNITY UNITY is when elements work together to create harmony (mood or theme). How do you create harmony? By using similar elements such as color. texture, and shape. This creates a sense of unity which shows that all the parts in the artwork belong together as a whole.

Photo by: Mrs. Vejar-Olwert

UNITYThis has unity because it is made up of similar warm colors, textures, and shapes.

UNITY This painting has unity, because ALL the shapes are geometric and overlap each other. The shapes seem to belong together even though there is a variety of shapes. Variety can be used to make an artwork more interesting. Too much sameness can be boring.

RHYTHMRhythm is created when similar elements repeat, creating a sense of movement. Repeating elements do NOT have to be exactly alike. It can be a color, shape, or line that repeats within the composition creating a beat, like music.

Photo by: Mrs. Vejar-Olwert

RHYTHMWhat is repeating in this painting that is guiding our eye in one direction?

“Mt. Fuji”, Katushika Hokusai

MOVEMENT Movement is the way

the human eye travels through an artwork in a particular direction.

Typically, elements repeat or point to lead your eye around the artwork, in order for you to appreciate the whole picture.

Photo by: Mrs. Vejar-Olwert

MOVEMENT

Here are more examples of movement. Photos by: Mrs. Vejar-Olwert

This painting also has Movement. Can you guess what is leading your eye in one direction?

PATTERNCreated when identical elements repeat sequentially.

Tessellations by: M.C. Escher