PRINCIPLES OF
Design
EMPHASIS
• “Where is the main idea?”
• Refers to developing points of interest,
area in the artwork that pulls the viewers
eye to most important body of the work.
• Uses other principles to bring attention to
the main idea.
1. WHERE IS THE EMPHASIS IN THIS PAINTING?
WHY? HOW CAN YOU TELL THAT THIS PART IS
THE MAIN FOCAL POINT IN THE PAINTING.
2. WHERE IS THE EMPHASIS IN THIS POTTERY?
WHY? HOW CAN YOU TELL THAT THIS PART IS
THE MAIN FOCAL POINT IN THE POT.
BALANCE
• Is a sense of stability in a work of art.
• Balance can be created by repeating
similar shapes and by creating a feeling
of equal weight.
• In pottery Balance is needed for the
over all shape. If the shape is off
balance you could tell if it is not
intentional.
Types of Balance
Symmetrical Balance: Where the
main elements on both sides of the
painting, drawing or picture are exactly
the same size or exactly the same.
Like a mirror image.
Asymmetrical Balance: When the
two sides are not the same but the
elements visual weight balance out the
image.
Radial Balance: When all sides of
the image are the same and it makes
continual balance.
WHAT TYPE OF BALANCE IS
SHOWN HERE?
What types of balance are
present in the following
pictures?
4.
5.
6.
VARIETY
• Refers to the differences in the work.
• You can achieve Variety in a painting
by using different shapes, textures,
colors and values.
• Variety could be achieved even with
the same painting style by using
different textures.
How is Variety being used in this pot?
MOVEMENT
• Helps the viewer move
throughout the art work.
• Adds excitement by showing
actions that could direct the
audience through the pottery
without directing them off.
HOW IS MOVEMENT ACHIEVED IN
THIS POTTERY?
MOVEMENT COULD BE CREATED IN THE
PUNCHING OR CUTTING YOU DO TO THE POTTERY
AS WELL AS THE PAINTING APPLIED.
RHYTHM
• Is a type of movement in a work
of art.
• Rhythm is seen in repetition of
shapes and colors.
• Alternating light and dark areas
also give sense of Rhythm.
How is Rhythm
created in this
image?
Rhythm is created in the
repetition of lines in the
the figure as she walks
down the stairs.
RHYTHMN IS CREATED BY THE
REPETITION OF A DESIGN OVER
AND OVER.
HOW IS RHYTHM CREATED ON
THIS POTTERY?
PROPORTION
•
•
•
•
Relationship of size of objects in a work
of art.
Gives a sense of scale when It comes to
the different objects in the painting.
Smallest to Largest, Close to Far.
Relationships based on size. Largest
object is not always the main idea.
EXAMPLES OF PROPORTION
Think about the location of the
images/designs you put on your
pottery.
Where do you put decoration to
create good balance and
proportions.
UNITY
• Is seen in a painting or drawing when
all the parts are equal and whole.
Nothing seems off balanced or
overpowering.
• Your work should not feel disjointed
or confusing but complete.
• You need a balance of all the other
Principles to make this happen.
The pottery should look complete
with all the other principles present
and working together.
IT HAS MOVEMENT, BALANCE,
EMPHASIS, VARIETY, RHYTHM AND
PROPORTION.