The Principles and Elements of Design Mrs. Barth

The basic components used by the artist when producing works of art. The Elements of Design The basic components used by the artist when producing works of art.

Color An element of art with three properties: (1) hue the color name,, (red, yellow, blue, etc.) (2) intensity, the purity and strength of a color, e.g., bright red or dull red; and (3) value, the lightness or darkness of a color.

Value An element of art that refers to luminance or luminosity — the lightness or darkness of a color.

Line The path made by a moving point, a mark made by a tool or instrument. Types of line include: vertical, horizontal, diagonal, straight or ruled, curved, bent, angular, thin, thick or wide, interrupted (dotted, dashed, broken, etc.), blurred or fuzzy, controlled, freehand, parallel, hatching, meandering, and spiraling.

Line

Shape An element of art, it is an enclosed space defined and determined by other art elements such as line, color, value, and texture. Shape is 2-dimensional.

Form Possesses actual height, width and depth, such as sculpture. The 3D version of shape. Can be created on a 2-d surface through various techniques, like shading.

Shape

Form

Texture An element of art, texture is the surface quality or "feel" of an object, its smoothness, roughness, softness, etc. Textures may be actual or simulated.

Space An element of art that refers to the distance or area between, around, above, below, or within things. Space can be positive or negative.

Space Positive & Negative

The Principles of Design Certain qualities inherent in the choice and arrangement of elements of art in the production of a work of art. Artists "design" their works to varying degrees by controlling and ordering the elements of art.

Balance balance refers to the way the elements of art are arranged to create a feeling of stability in a work; a pleasing or harmonious arrangement or proportion of parts or areas in a design or composition. Balance can be Symmetrical or Asymmetrical.

Balance Symmetrical Balance Asymmetrical Balance

Emphasis Any forcefulness that gives importance or dominance (weight) to some feature or features of an artwork; something singled out, stressed, or drawn attention to. Emphasis can be achieved using color, proportion, shape, etc…

Emphasis Which fish is your eye drawn to? Which element of design did the artist use to draw your attention?

Contrast A Sudden change in any of the elements.

Proportion A principle of design, proportion refers to the comparative, proper, or harmonious relationship of one part to another or to the whole with respect to size, quantity, or degree; a ratio.

Rhythm/Movement A visual tempo or beat. The principle of design that refers to a regular repetition of elements of art to produce the look and feel of movement. It is often achieved through the careful placement of repeated components which invite the viewer's eye to jump rapidly or glide smoothly from one to the next. Can refer to actual movement as well, such as kinetic art, mobiles for example.

Rhythm

Pattern The repetition of any thing — shapes, lines, or colors — also called a motif, in a design; as such it is one of the principles of design.

Transition A gradual change in the elements

Unity The quality of wholeness or oneness that is achieved through the effective use of the elements and principles of design. A totality that combines all of its parts into one complete, cohesive whole.

Variety A principle of design that refers to a way of combining elements of art in involved ways to achieve intricate and complex relationships. Variety is often obtained through the use of diversity and change by artists who wish to increase the visual interest of their work.

Variety There is a fine balance of unity in variety in this painting by Picasso.