Unity Principles of Design

What is Unity? Visual unity is one of the most important aspects of well-developed art and is planned by the artist.Visual unity is one of the most important aspects of well-developed art and is planned by the artist. Unity provides the cohesive quality that makes an artwork feel complete and finished.Unity provides the cohesive quality that makes an artwork feel complete and finished. When all the elements in a work look as though they belong together, the artist has achieved unity.When all the elements in a work look as though they belong together, the artist has achieved unity.

What is Unity? Unity is a measure of how the elements of a page seem to fit together - to belong together. A unified work of art represents first a whole, then the sum of its parts.

Ways to Achieve Unity Proximity The simplest method of making objects appear to belong together is to group them closely together. This allows us to see a pattern. The simplest method of making objects appear to belong together is to group them closely together. This allows us to see a pattern.

Example: Dali’s “Landscape With Butterflies” (1956) Salvador Dali’s art defies almost every rule known to man. He was a stickler for unity, however. In this painting, he places the items in the foreground close together. The shadows hint at proximity as well.Salvador Dali’s art defies almost every rule known to man. He was a stickler for unity, however. In this painting, he places the items in the foreground close together. The shadows hint at proximity as well.

Ways to Achieve Unity Similarity Repeating colours, shapes, values, textures or lines creates a visual relationship between elements, called correspondence.

Example: Van Gogh’s “Starry Night” (1889) Van Gogh was concerned with the unity of his paintings. In this one, the swirling brush strokes and dominance of cool colours tends to unify the surface and create the feeling that everything belongs together.Van Gogh was concerned with the unity of his paintings. In this one, the swirling brush strokes and dominance of cool colours tends to unify the surface and create the feeling that everything belongs together.

Ways to Achieve Unity Continuation A much more subtle method of unifying a work involves the continuation of line, edge or direction from one area to another. Continuation is often used in books and magazines to tie the elements of a page together with the use of rules, and by lining up edges of copy, headlines and graphics.

Example: Degas’ “The Tub” (1886) This painting by Degas [1] has many elements of continuation. The circle of the girl's back is continued in the circle of the tub on the floor. The overhanging brush guides our eyes towards the objects on the table, which are arranged as a continuation of the circle.This painting by Degas [1] has many elements of continuation. The circle of the girl's back is continued in the circle of the tub on the floor. The overhanging brush guides our eyes towards the objects on the table, which are arranged as a continuation of the circle.