The Principles Of Design Flashcards
How many principles of design are there?
8
What are the principles of design?
Pattern Contrast Emphasis Balance Scale Proportion Rhythm Unity
What is pattern?
Pattern is something that is REPEATED in a design
What can be repeated in a pattern?
Colour
Shapes
Lines
Motifs
Why do artists use pattern?
To create decorative elements
To utilise negative space
For effective balance
What is contrast?
Contrast is when one object is totally different to another object in a design
What does contrast do?
It draws attention to the focal point
Where does contrast occur?
With two elements that are opposites
How many types of contrast are there?
4
What are the four types of contrast?
Light contrast
Separation contrast
Detail contrast
Colour contrast
Explain light contrast
Objects stand out if they are in an area of BRIGHT LIGHT surrounded with an area of DARKNESS, and vice versa
Explain separation contrast
A single object will stand out if it is placed SEPARATE from a group of the same object
Explain detail contrast
A DETAILED object will stand out on a PLAIN background, and vice versa
Explain colour contrast
An object that is a DIFFERENT COLOUR to its surroundings will stand out
What does emphasis do?
It draws the viewers eye to the FOCAL POINT
Emphasis helps the viewer’s eye to move over the artwork with DIRECTIONAL FORCES
How is emphasis used?
The artist will use emphasis to direct the eye from ONE PART of the design TO THE NEXT
The artist will direct the eye in a SPECIFIC SHAPE due to the COMPOSITION
How many things can affect emphasis?
Four
What four things can affect emphasis?
Contrast
Scale
Proportion
Pattern
When is a design balanced?
When artworks are AESTHETIC
Different objects have different VISUAL WEIGHT in an artwork
How many types of balance are there?
3
What are the types of balance?
Symmetrical
Asymmetrical
Radial
Explain symmetrical balance
Two objects of EQUAL VISUAL WEIGHT will be placed on OPPOSITE sides of the artwork
Explain asymmetrical balance
MOST of the VISUAL WEIGHT will be on ONE SIDE
Explain radial balance
There will be a CENTRAL FOCAL POINT and the other objects RADIATE OUT from the center
What is scale?
Scale refers to the SIZE of an artwork
Scale has a large impact on EMOTIONS
What are the types of scale?
Big
Average
Small
Explain big scale
LARGE sculptures or artworks DOMINATE the space
They can be seen from FAR away and can INFLUENCE more people
LARGE artworks send a “LOUD” message
Explain average scale
Average artworks ensure the viewer is UNAWARE of the size
The viewer will pay more ATTENTION to the ARTWORK ITSELF
An average sized artwork sends a CLEAR message
Explain small scale
Small artworks are DETAILED Small artworks create a feeling of INTIMACY They are very PERSONAL Small artworks will leave an IMPRESSION Small artworks send a QUIET message
What artist uses big scale?
Ron Mueck
What is proportion?
The RELATIONSHIP between objects and elements of art
Refers to NUMBERS/quantities in relation to one another
It affects the MEANING in an artwork
How many types of proportion are there?
3
What are the types of proportion?
Linear perspective
Threatening
Importance
Explain linear perspective
Also known as one point perspective
When objects that are SMALLER and in the BACKGROUND appear to be FURTHER away
Explain threatening perspective
Objects that would NORMALLY be SMALL but that have been MADE LARGE in an artwork in relation to objects that are in normal scale appear THREATENING
The opposite is also true (large made small=nonthreatening)
Explain importance proportion
Objects that are BIGGER and in the FOREGROUND appear more IMPORTANT than others
Which artist uses importance proportion?
Gustave Caillepotte
What is rhythm?
An ELEMENT that is REPEATED in a design
It is an example of DIRECTIONAL FORCES
What is rhythm used for?
To DIRECT the movement of the eye THROUGH THE PAINTING
How many types of rhythm are there?
5
What are the types of rhythm?
Random Regular Alternating Progressive Flowing
Explain random rhythm
Elements are repeated WITHOUT ORDER
Explain regular rhythm
Objects that are SIMILAR in SIZE and LENGTH are repeated
Explain alternating rhythm
When the artist MAKES A CHANGE in the PLACEMENT or content of an original MOTIF
Explain progressive rhythm
The repeated element’s SIZE changes
Explain flowing rhythm
LINES that create movement
What artist uses random rhythm?
Jackson Pollock
Which artist uses regular rhythm?
Andy Warhol
What is unity?
When all the elements of art and the principles of design COMBINE in an AESTHETIC artwork
How is unity created?
The elements combine to form a harmonious WHOLE
When there is a specific FOCAL POINT
When the TITLE is relevant to this focal point
When the COMPOSITION is successful
The THEME of the artwork is the FOCAL POINT and helps to show the MEANING
The artwork has to be AESTHETIC
