Transcript Principles of Design - nwhsvisualartsprojectsandresources

Building blocks of creating and interpreting Art
Principles of Design
What are the Principles of Design?
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Used for creating and evaluating art
The Principles of Design are useful for
organizing a composition
Some works of art contain some or none of
the Principles of Design
Movement
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Associated with Rhythm, an arrangement of
parts to create a sense of motion to the
viewers eye. Movement can also move the
viewer’s eye toward a focal point.
 Attributes of Movement
▪ Implied Movement: association of movement from a
moving object (i.e. water, cars, people, etc)
▪ Optical Movement: movement of the viewers eye across
an area by using color or shapes
Katsushika Hokusai
The Great Wave of Kanagawa
Pablo Picasso
Guernica
1937
Pattern
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Created by repeating lines, shapes or other
elements in an organized way
 Attributes of Pattern
▪ Repetition:
▪ Regular Pattern: patterns that repeat in a linear way (i.e.
shingles, bricks, tiles, etc)
▪ Radial Pattern: patterns that are symmetrical when cut
in half (i.e. leaves, carpets, flowers, etc)
▪ Irregular: shapes or lines found from nature
Chartres Cathedral
Rose Window
1215
Andy Warhol
Campbell’s Soup
Greek Vase
Rhythm
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Design principle based on the repetition of art
elements. Developing rhythm can help unify a
work of Art.
 Attributes of Rhythm:
▪ Rhythm can be planned or unplanned placement of
repeating elements or objects. Varying the repetition of
objects will create better interest.
Jacob Lawrence
Barber Shop
1946
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Auguste Rodin
Three Shades
1881
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Contrast & Variety
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The difference or variety of art elements in a
composition.
 Attributes of Contrast
▪ Value: Amount of contrast
▪ Color: Compliments
▪ Shape: Variation of shape
Larry Poons
Orange Crush
1963
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Emphasis
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One element in a composition stands out
from the rest of the composition
 Attributes of Emphasis
▪ Focal Point: the point in the composition where the
viewer’s eye is attracted to first
▪ Contrast: color and shape can create emphasis by
changing its value
Balance
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The distribution of visual weight in an art
work.
 Attributes of Balance
▪ Radial: type of balance that originates from a circular
center
▪ Formal: symmetrical balance
▪ Informal: asymmetrical balance
Georgia O’Keeffe
Oriental Poppies
1927
Mark Rothko
Oriental Poppies
1927
James Whistler
Arrangement in Gray and Black
1871
Unity & Harmony
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Describes the way the artwork is treated as a
whole. It is when all the principles and
elements work as a whole.
 Attributes of Unity
▪ Proximity: creating groups of objects
▪ Similarity: making things similar to one another
▪ Continuation: creating a flow of vision
Vincent Van Gogh
The Starry Night
(1889)
Leonardo Da Vinci
Mona Lisa
(1503-1519)
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Andy Warhol
Shot Orange Marilyn
1964
Proportion
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A measurement of the size and quantity of
elements within a composition.
 Attributes of Proportion: Accurate Measurement
▪ Human Form
▪ Illusion of three-dimensional space
▪ Perspective
Jacques-Louis David
The Death of Socrates
1787
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Raphael
The School of Athens
1509
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M.C. Escher
Hand with
Reflecting Sphere
1935
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Albrecht Durer
Self-Portrait
1500
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