principles and elements Flashcards
principles
ways to work with or arrange elements
describe the way the elements fit together
5 principles
rhythm emphasis balance proportion harmony
rhythm
repeats design elements
creates organized movement and order
provides direction and guides the viewers’ eyes
movement
shows action and directs the viewers eyes
emphasis
the center of interest
catches the viewers’ attention
creates a focal point
uses color, size or unique shape to create focal point
balance
a distribution of visual weight
directs focus for the viewers’ eye
creates a sense of rest and equilibrium
2 types of balance
symmetrical (formal balance)
asymmetrical (informal balance)
proportion/scale
the relationship of parts to each other and to the design as a whole
explains how size, amount and number relate
difference of the area occupied by one shape to another
exaggerated or centralized to draw viewers’ eye
harmony/ unity
when everything in the piece works together
when several elements hold viewers’ attention
components blended together without separation
achieved by repetition of related components
elements
‘rules’ we use when creating designs to make them look good
interpretive components used to create distinctive designs
5 elements of design
color line space texture form
form
also ‘shape’
refers to the outline/ 3-D shape of an arrangement
2 types of form
open form– the skeleton is flowers but leaves to interpretation what the shape is
closed form– flowers fill the entire 3-D shape
filler material is used
to fill empty space
not ever as a focal point
form flowers
unique
not used in every arrangement
unusual shape
sometimes focal point
forms ‘within’ forms
refers to the shape or form of the flowers/ foliage
use different shaped flowers to create a shaped arrangement
material types:
line
mass
filler
form
line flowers
creates a straight line in an arrangement
if used improperly has peacock or triangular look
mass flowers
add weight and fill space
line
provides a visual pathway for a viewer’s eye to follow so that they can see the entire arrangement and not just the focal point
creates the structural framework
lines are 2-D
4 types of lines
vertical
horizontal
diagonal
curved
horizontal lines
acts as a dividing point
represents rest/relaxation
used in funeral pieces
vertical lines
sense of height
taller= more powerful
symbol of strength
diagonal
imply feeling of movement
helps depth perception/ adds depth
formal
curved lines
graceful and gentle
informal
static lines
horizontal and vertical
do not encourage movement
dynamic lines
diagonal and curved
encourage movement
space
area between and around the materials in a design as well as the area those materials occupy
positive space
occupied by materials
negative space
empty/ open
should always be in an arrangement
helps form
void
connecting spaces
texture
surface quality or characteristics of a material
incorporating textures into your arrangement will
increase visual interest in the design
color
the reflection of light from a pigmented surface transmitted through the brain by the eyes
primary colors
red
yellow
blue
secondary colors
created by mixing equal parts of the primary colors
orange
green
violet
tertiary colors
created by mixing equal parts of a primary color with a secondary color red-orange yellow-orange yellow-green blue-green blue-violet red-violet
neutral colors
white- presence of all colors
black- absence of all colors
gray
these 3 colors make up the gray scale
hue
represents a family of color
red is a pure hue, pink is a tint, maroon is a shade, pink and maroon are members of the red hue
value
the lightness or darkness of a hue achieved by the addition of white, gray or black
white increases value
black decreases value
adding white to a hue creates a
tint
adding gray to a hue creates a
tone
adding black to a hue creates a
shade
chroma
refers to the degree of intensity, strength, saturation, or purity of a color
purity of a color
freedom from white, black or gray
color harmonies
result through the combining of tints, tones, shades and hues
relating color harmonies
monochromatic
analogous
monochromatic color harmony
includes tints, tones and shades of the same hue
analogous color harmony
colors that are adjacent on the color wheel
contrasting color harmonies
complementary
split complementary
triadic
polychromatic
complementary color harmony
features colors directly opposite on the color wheel
split complementary color harmony
combining one color with two colors on either side of its direct complement
triadic color harmony
involves 3 colors equally spaced on the color wheel
polychromatic color harmony
includes a wide range of colors
(color) place lighter value materials – and in the – areas of an arrangement. Place darker value materials – and – to the – of the arrangement
higher outermost lower closer center
advancing colors
resemble fire and heat
appear active
make flowers appear larger and dominant
receding colors
cool colors
recede and look smaller
provide depth
to create a focal point in an arrangement using color, a designer will
allow one color to dominate
