Lesson Plan
Course Title:
Printing & Imaging Technology
Session Title:
Elements and Principals of Design
* This is Lesson #1 if used as part of the overall unit on Printing & Imaging Technology.
However, this lesson may be taught as a stand-alone project if desired.
Lesson Duration:
Approximately one to two 90-minute class periods
[Lesson length is subjective and will vary from instructor to instructor]
Performance Objective:
Upon completion of this assignment, the student will be able to app
principles of design to graphic publications.
Specific Objectives:
1. Define the elements of design.
2. Identify elements of design in graphic communication.
3. Define the principles of design.
4. Identify principles of design in graphic communication.
5. Apply elements and principles of design to graphic design.
Preparation
TEKS Correlations:
§130.96
(1) The student applies academic knowledge and skills in printing and imaging projects. The
student is expected to:
(A) apply English language arts knowledge and skills by demonstrating use of content,
technical concepts, and vocabulary; using correct grammar, punctuation, and
terminology to write and edit documents; and composing and editing copy for a
variety of written documents such as brochures, programs, and newsletters; and
(B) apply mathematics knowledge and skills by identifying whole numbers, decimals,
and fractions applied to measurement and scale; demonstrating knowledge of
arithmetic operations; using conversion methods such as fractions to decimals and
inches to points; and applying measurement to solve a problem.
(4) The student applies information technology applications. The student is expected to use
personal information management, email, Internet, writing and publishing, presentation,
and spreadsheet or database applications for printing and imaging projects.
(11) The student develops a technical understanding of printing and imaging. The student is
expected to:
(F) apply desktop publishing to create products by:
(ii) applying design elements such as text, graphics, headlines, use of color, and
white space; and
(iii) applying typography concepts, including font, size, and style;
(iv) applying graphic design concepts such as contrast, alignment, repetition and
proximity;
Instructor/Trainer
References:
Williams, R. (2008). The non-designer’s design book. (3 ed.). Berkeley: PeachpitPress.
AAVTC: Print and Imaging Technology: Elements and Principles of Design
Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2013. All rights reserved.
1
Author’s expertise
Instructional Aids:
Elements and Principles of Design slide presentation
Elements and Principles of Design Handout
Elements and Principles of Design Exam
Elements and Principles of Design Exam answer key
Elements and Principles of Design Rubric
Materials Needed:
Photos, artwork and/or posters of your choice to use to point out various elements and
principles of design to students (as examples)
Paper
Fork
Equipment Needed:
Computer and projection system with appropriate software to display slide presentation
Industry Standard Photo Editing software
Flatbed Scanner
Digital Camera
Learner
Recommended:
Introduction
MI
Introduction (LSI Quadrant I):
SAY: There are some things that are so important in any profession that the people
in the profession just have to take the responsibility to memorize and
understand them. In visual communications, one such thing would be the
elements and principles of design.
ASK: How many of you have heard of the “elements and principles of design?”
Have you maybe heard that phrase in your art class?
SAY: The elements of design are the ingredients to everything that surrounds us
every day. If we didn’t have the elements of design, we would not have our
surroundings. This will become more apparent in a moment.
ASK: (Hold up an object, such as a fork.) If I were to tell you that there are
elements of design inherent in this fork, could you guess what some of them
might be?
[Someone might say line…someone might mention mass or volume. See
what they come up with.]
SAY: Every object on earth contains elements of design. Let’s view the Elements
and Principles of Design presentation and then we will do some activities to
help you understand the elements and principles even better.
AAVTC: Print and Imaging Technology: Elements and Principles of Design
Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2013. All rights reserved.
2
Outline
MI
Outline (LSI Quadrant II):
Instructor Notes:
I.
Note: Have any of you taken
a basic art class? Do you
remember discussing the
elements of design in your art
class? Do you remember the
design elements?
II.
Define the elements of design.
A. Color: Also known as hue; involves the color
spectrum.
B. Line: A line is a point in motion with only one
dimension – length. The variables of line are
size, shape, position, direction, number,
interval, and density.
C. Mass or volume: A solid body composing a
solid form.
D. Movement or motion: The process of
changing place, direction, or orientation.
This is not animation, although animation is
a product of movement added to other
elements of design.
E. Space: Space is a 2-D or a 3-D element
defined by other elements of design.
F. Texture: A technique of trying to replicate
three-dimensional surfaces in 2-D design
through various drawing or other media
technique. In 3-D, it happens by touch or
visual experience.
G. Typography: Type or fonts; considered an
element in the graphic design world.
Although type itself consists of other
elements of design, it becomes an element
within the constraint of visual
communication.
H. Value: The relative lightness or darkness of
an area measured in a graded scale from
white to gray to black.
Define the principles of design.
A. Balance: The convergence of design
elements that appear to be at a whole with
equilibrium.
B. Contrast: This is the “automatic principle”;
offers variety within a visual format.
Whenever an element is placed into a
format, it contrasts with other elements in the
same format in size, shape, color, or texture.
C. Direction: Using movement to create the
visual illusion of displacement.
D. Economy: Precision or simplicity; a principle
of most good design work.
E. Emphasis: Also known as dominance, this is
Show various artworks and
asks for students to identify
the various elements of
design. No principles yet, only
elements.
Note: Whether or not you
were familiar with the
elements of design, let’s see
how many of you are familiar
with the principles of design.
Can you think of any design
principles?
AAVTC: Print and Imaging Technology: Elements and Principles of Design
Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2013. All rights reserved.
3
the hierarchy of visual importance. One
element takes precedence over others.
F. Proportion: A 2-D or 3-D element defined by
other elements of the design.
G. Rhythm: Repetition of one or more elements
within a visual format resulting in harmony.
H. Unity: Oneness, harmony, completeness;
also called Gestalt where all visual elements
come together within a format to create a
perfect whole.
III.
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.
Apply elements and principles of design to
create a graphic design
Two-dimensional design
Created in industry-standard software
Identified element of design applied
All principles of design applied
Creative piece
Professional level of work
Show various artworks once
again and asks for students to
identify the principles of
design. This helps students to
understand the categories
better.
Tip: Pre-write elements of
design (Color, Line, Mass or
Volume, Movement, Space,
Texture, Typography, and
Value) on slips of paper so
that the class has an equal
number of each element
represented. Put the slips of
paper into a hat and have
each student draw a slip of
paper so the assigned
element is completely
random.
Application
MI
Guided Practice (LSI Quadrant III):
Teacher leads discussion on elements and principles and helps students to see
them in art and design work.
MI
Independent Practice (LSI Quadrant III):
Using industry standard photo editing, a scanner, and a digital camera or perhaps
traditional art supplies, students will create an original piece of work that
incorporates a pre-assigned element of design. They will naturally incorporate the
principles of design into the work and should be prepared to identify those principles.
Students should be prepared to show their work and discuss the elements and
principles applied in their work.
Summary
MI
Review (LSI Quadrants I and IV):
Allow students to work in pairs to complete the following tasks (students may refer to
the computer-aided presentation or their notes if necessary):
▪ List and define (or illustrate visually) each of the elements of design.
▪ List and define (or illustrate visually) each of the principles of design.
The teacher will monitor student progress to check for understanding and will collect
AAVTC: Print and Imaging Technology: Elements and Principles of Design
Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2013. All rights reserved.
4
written reviews for formative grading purposes.
Evaluation
MI
Informal Assessment (LSI Quadrant III):
The teacher will monitor student progress during independent practice and provide
assistance when needed. A simple check of student progress is needed during this
time. Teachers will lead a discussion of elements and principles found in the student
work when all students have completed their photography or their drawings.
MI
Formal Assessment (LSI Quadrant III, IV):
Students will complete a multiple choice exam. Projects will be evaluated using the
Elements and Principles of Design Project Rubric.
Extension
MI
Extension/Enrichment (LSI Quadrant IV):
Students will carry the knowledge of the elements and principles of design with them
for the rest of their designing lives. These elements and principles, and the
knowledge of how best to apply them, will affect their work always. Students will be
expected to apply them in all future projects.
Students that would like to learn more about the elements and principles of design
can check out design books from the library, research the various topics on the
internet, or visit with professionals in printing and imaging to talk about how they
apply these principles in the workplace.
AAVTC: Print and Imaging Technology: Elements and Principles of Design
Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2013. All rights reserved.
5
STUDENT HANDOUT
The elements of design create everything around us…
without these ingredients, nothing can exist.
There are eight elements of design:
• Color: Also known as hue; involves the color spectrum.
• Line: A line is a point in motion with only one dimension – length. The variables of line are
size, shape, position, direction, number, interval, and density.
• Mass or Volume: A solid body composing a solid form.
• Movement or Motion: The process of changing place, direction, or orientation. This is not
animation, although animation is a product of movement added to other elements of design.
• Space: Space is a 2-D or a 3-D element defined by other elements of design.
• Texture: A technique of trying to replicate three-dimensional surfaces in 2-D design through
various drawing or other media technique. In 3-D, it happens by touch or visual experience.
• Typography: Type or fonts; considered an element in the graphic design world. Although type
itself consists of other elements of design, it becomes an element within the constraint of
visual communication.
• Value: The relative lightness or darkness of an area measured in a graded scale from white to
gray to black.
The principles of design are tools used to format the elements
of design
and are applicable to art, architecture, graphics, fashion,
industrial design, and writing such as poetry.
There are eight principles of design:
• Balance: The convergence of design elements that appear to be at a whole with equilibrium.
• Contrast: This is the “automatic principle”; offers variety within a visual format. Whenever an
element is placed into a format, it contrasts with other elements in the same format in size,
shape, color, or texture.
• Direction: Using movement to create the visual illusion of displacement.
• Economy: Precision or simplicity; a principle of most good design work.
• Emphasis: Also known as dominance, this is the hierarchy of visual importance. One element
takes precedence over others.
• Proportion: A 2-D or 3-D element defined by other elements of the design.
• Rhythm: Repetition of one or more elements within a visual format resulting in harmony.
• Unity: Oneness, harmony, completeness; also called Gestalt where all visual elements come
together within a format to create a perfect whole.
AAVTC: Print and Imaging Technology: Elements and Principles of Design
Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2013. All rights reserved.
6
Student name: _________________________________
Elements and Principles of Design Exam
DIRECTIONS: Circle the letter that corresponds to the best answer for each of the questions or
statements below.
1. Another word for mass.
A. Volume
B. Texture
C. Motion
D. Color
2. Animation is a product of __________added to other elements of design.
A. Line
B. Mass
C. Movement
D. Texture
3. Gestalt is accomplished with oneness, or ________.
A. Space
B. Variety
C. Unity
D. Rhythm
4. “The automatic principle” is _____.
A. Contrast
B. Balance
C. Emphasis
D. Proportion
5. In emphasis, one element takes precedence over others. True or False
A. True
B. False
6. ___________ is a term that refers to precision or simplicity.
A. Emphasis
B. Balance
C. Economy
D. None of the above
7. Repetition of one or more elements to create visual harmony is referred to as
____________.
A. Emphasis
B. Direction
C. Unity
D. Rhythm
AAVTC: Print and Imaging Technology: Elements and Principles of Design
Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2013. All rights reserved.
7
8. Relative lightness or darkness with regard to a scale going from black to gray to white is
known as _____.
A. Volume
B. Value
C. Color
D. Texture
9. The elements of design make up everything around us. True or False
A. False
B. True
10. Space can be two-dimensional or three-dimensional. True or False
A. True
B. False
11. Color is also known as hue. It is a specific light __________ found in the color spectrum.
A. Velocity
B. Wavelength
C. Weight
D. Brightness
12. All but one of the below are variables of line: Circle the one that is not a variable of line.
A. Shape
B. Size
C. Position
D. Volume
13. In 3-D, texture is expressed through _____________.
A. Touch
B. Visual experience
C. Neither A nor B
D. Both A and B
14. ________defines a 2-D or 3-D element that is defined by other elements of design in the
same format.
A. Balance
B. Movement
C. Mass
D. Proportion
15. What is the convergence of design elements that appear to be at a whole with equilibrium?
A. Balance
B. Dominance
C. Rhythm
D. Economy
AAVTC: Print and Imaging Technology: Elements and Principles of Design
Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2013. All rights reserved.
8
Elements and Principles of Design Exam
Answer Key
1. A
2. C
3. C
4. A
5. A
6. C
7. D
8. B
9. B
10. A
11. B
12. D
13. D
14. D
15. A
AAVTC: Print and Imaging Technology: Elements and Principles of Design
Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2013. All rights reserved.
9
ELEMENTS AND PRINCIPLES OF DESIGN RUBRIC
Criteria
Completeness
(30 points)
Design
Elements
(20 points)
Design
Principles
(20 points)
Creativity
(20 points)
Technical Skill
(10 points)
Comments:
Exceptional
Above Average
Below Average
Unacceptable
25-30 points
16-24 points
1-15 points
0 points
Work is
complete and
presents a
unified whole.
Work is
complete, but
lacks unity in the
composite.
Work is
incomplete.
No attempt was
made to produce
the document.
17-20 points
8-16 points
1-7 points
0 points
Identified design
element is
successfully
applied.
Identified design
element is
applied but needs
refinement to
achieve success.
Identified design
element is
poorly applied.
No evidence of
application of
design element.
17-20 points
8-16 points
1-7 points
0 points
Design
principles are
successfully
applied.
Design principles
are applied but
need refinement
to achieve
success.
Design
principles are
poorly applied.
No evidence of
application of
design principles.
17-20 points
8-16 points
1-7 points
0 points
Design ideas
are original in
thought and
exceptionally
creative.
Design ideas are
somewhat
original and
creative.
Limited
evidence of
creativity and
originality in
thought.
No evidence of
creativity or
originality in
thought or
execution of
project.
9-10 points
5-8 points
1-4 points
0 points
Professional
project.
Drawing level is
appropriate, and
the final product
is neat and
professionally
presented.
Drawing level is
appropriate, but
there are
smudges or
rough edges on
the final product.
Drawing level is
inappropriate,
but the product
is neat.
Project is
unprofessional.
Errors distract
significantly from
the content.
TOTAL
POINTS:
AAVTC: Print and Imaging Technology: Elements and Principles of Design
Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2013. All rights reserved.
10
Points