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
13
Auguste Rodin
Three Shades
1881
14
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
17
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)
28
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
31
Raphael
The School of Athens
1509
32
M.C. Escher
Hand with
Reflecting Sphere
1935
33
Albrecht Durer
Self-Portrait
1500
34