Principles of Design

The principles of design are how we organize or use the tools (elements of design). The seven principles of design are balance, unity, movement, pattern, variety, emphasis, and rhythm. It always helped me to remember "bump ver"—balance, unity, movement, pattern, variety, emphasis, rhythm.

Principles of Design

Balance - elements of design visually distributed to appear equally weighted. If the design was a scale, these elements should be balanced to make a design feel stable. In symmetrical, or formal, balance, the elements used on one side of the design are similar to those on the other side; in asymmetrical, or informal, balance, the sides are different but still look balanced. In radial balance, the elements are arranged around a central point and may be similar.

Unity - oneness, harmony, gestalt. The condition of completeness with the use of all visual elements within a format.

Movement - the path the viewer’s eye takes through the artwork, often to focal areas. Such movement can be directed along the edges of lines, and by shape and color within the artwork. In the two pictures side by side below, the left side suggests no movement—it's very static and boring. The right suggests bouncing or dancing, because of the color and position of the squares.

Pattern - the repeating of an object or symbol in the artwork. For example, the rhythm picture below makes up a pattern through the repetition of a simple square.

Variety - can be emphasized by contrast in size, shape, color, texture, etc. Offers contrast within a visual format. Holds the viewer's attention and guides the viewer's eye through the artwork. Variety is the opposite of the principle of rhythm. It's what makes the art piece interesting. Too much variety can lead to chaos and confusion of the viewer.

Emphasis - is the first thing that grabs the viewer's attention. Also known as dominance. This condition exists when an element or elements within a visual format contain a hierarchy of visual importance. Usually the artist will make one area stand out by contrasting it with other areas. The area will be different in size, color, texture, shape, etc. For example, in the variety picture above, the first thing that attracts the viewer's eye is the top red square, perhaps because of the size difference and color.

Rhythm - is a recurrence or repetition of one or more elements within a visual format, creating harmony. Created when the spaces between shapes and colors create a mood in your artwork. For example, evenly spaced shapes give a feeling of sedateness while overlapping and wide spaces give a feeling of chaos or excitement. Rhythm can make up pattern.

Your Turn! I'd like you to compare and contrast Keith Haring's Retrospect and Mondrian's Tableau no. II, below. Study the images and try to figure out and describe, using the principles of design, how the paintings are similar or different. When you're ready, click this link to take the quiz:  Haring vs Mondrian Quiz.

Keith Haring, Retrospect (c) 2002 The Estate of Keith Haring	Piet Mondrian, Tableau no. II (c), 1872 1944

Review all of the above, and then click here to take the quiz:  Principles of Design Quiz

When done, go on to lesson one.