Chapter 6: Principles of Design

Question 1

proximity

Answer 1

nearness

Question 2

variety within unity

Answer 2

the use of contrast and diversity within an overall harmonious or unified composition

Question 3

repetition

Answer 3

the use of the same or similar elements over and over again in a composition

Question 4

ordered chaos

Answer 4

the artist’s depiction of a chaotic subject with a unifying sense of order

Question 5

focal point

Answer 5

the main point of interest in a work

Question 6

emphasis

Answer 6

the direction of the viewers eye to a particular area of a composition, thus giving the area visual or conceptual dominance

Question 7

directional lines

Answer 7

lines that encourage the viewer to visually traverse the area within the boundaries of a work in a certain way

Question 8

balance

Answer 8

the distribution of the weight, mass, or other elements of a work of art to achieve harmony

Question 9

visual balance

Answer 9

the distribution of the elements of a composition such that some elements echo or serve as counterpoints to the other elements in the composition

Question 10

symmetry

Answer 10

similarity of form or arrangement on both sides of a dividing line

Question 11

symmetrical balance

Answer 11

balance in which imagery on one side of a composition is mirrored on the other side

Question 12

asymmetrical balance

Answer 12

balance in which the right and left sides of a composition contain different shapes, colors, textures, or other elements and yet are arranged or “weighted” so that the overall impression is one of balance

Question 13

horizontal balance

Answer 13

balance in which the elements on the left and right sides of the composition seem to be about equal in number or visual emphasis

Question 14

vertical balance

Answer 14

balance in which the elements in top and bottom of the composition are in balance

Question 15

diagonal balance

Answer 15

the type of balance in which the elements on either side of a diagonally divided pictorial space seem to be about equal in weight, number, or emphasis

Question 16

radial balance

Answer 16

balance in which the design elements radiate from a center point

Question 17

regular repetition

Answer 17

the systematic repetition of the visual elements in a work to create rhythm

Question 18

alternating rhythm

Answer 18

a type of rhythm in which different elements in a work repeat themselves in a predictable order

Question 19

progressive rhythm

Answer 19

a type of rhythm in which elements in a work change slightly as they move, or progress, toward a defined point in a composition

Question 20

scale

Answer 20

the relative size of an object compared to other objects, the setting, or people

Question 21

relative size

Answer 21

the size of an object or figure in relation to other objects or figures or the setting

Question 22

hierarchical scale

Answer 22

the use of size to indicate the relative importance of the objects or people in a composition

Question 23

proportion

Answer 23

the size of elements or images within a work of art in relation to each other or to the whole

Question 24

canon of proportions

Answer 24

a set of rules governing the proportions of the human body as they are to be rendered by artists

Question 25

The Golden Mean

Answer 25

the principle that a small part of a work should relate to a larger part of the work in proportion to the manner in which the larger part relates to the whole

Question 26

The Golden Rectangle

Answer 26

a rectangle based on the Golden Mean and constructed so that its width is 1.618 times its height

Question 27

Root Five Rectangle

Answer 27

a rectangle whose length is 2.236 times its width that can be constructed by rotating the diagonal of a half square left and right

Question 28

spiral

Answer 28

curve that radiates from a central point and, revolving around that point, moves progressively farther away