The wek we learned about Principles of design
The Principles of Design can be thought of as what we do to the elements of design. How we apply the Principles of Design determines how successful we are in creating a composition/artwork/design. We will examine:
• Balance
• Contrast
• Movement
• Emphasis
• Unity
Balance
• Visual balance refers to the degree of equilibrium in acomposition. This is determined by the choice and arrangement of elements in relation to each other and the frame.
• There are two forms of visual balance. These are symmetrical balance, also known as symmetry or formal balance, and asymmetrical balance, also known as asymmetry or informal balance.
Symmetrical balance is mirror image balance. If you draw a line through the centre of the page, the elements on one side of the line are mirrored on the other side. We can achieve it by placing elements fairly evenly in the design.
Contrast
• Contrast can simply mean difference.
• Too much similarity of the components in any design becomes monotonous. In other words the use of too little contrast can cause a design to be bland and uninteresting
Contrast – Composition
• Contrast creates tension by placing opposing elements in a relation to one another
• The subject might be shifted to the side of the frame, or even shifted partially out of the frame thus creating negative space
Movement
Movement is the path our eyes follow when we look at a work of art. The purpose of movement is to create unity in the artwork with eye travel. This can be achieved by using line, repetition, and rhythm. Movement ties the work together by relating the various components of a work together.
The use of repetition tocreate movement occurs when elements which have something in common are repeated regularly or irregularly sometimes creating a visual rhythm
• Repetition doesn’t always mean exact duplication either, but it does mean similarity or near-likeness
Emphasis
• Emphasis is the stressing of a particular area of focus rather than
the presentation of a maze of details of equal importance. When a
composition has no emphasis nothing stands out. However the
effective use of emphasis calls attention to important areas of the
painting. By placing emphasis on certain areas of the composition,
an artist creates elements of interest which causes the eye to return
to again and again.
The use of repetition to create movement occurs when elements which have something in common are repeated regularly or irregularly sometimes.
Emphasis
• Emphasis is the stressing of a particular area of focus rather than the presentation of a maze of details of equal importance. When a composition has no emphasis nothing stands out. However the effective use of emphasis calls attention to important areas of the painting. By placing emphasis on certain areas of the composition, an artist creates elements of interest which causes the eye to return to again and again. creating a visual rhythm
• Repetition doesn’t always mean exact duplication either, but it does mean similarity or near-likeness
An object placed in the center will often be perceived as a focal point. If all eyes in the painting look at one object, or if an object is placed at the center of the lines of perspective, that object will be perceived as the focus of the work.
