1. The Principles of Design

2. Principles of Design include:
Proportion
Scale
Balance
Rhythm
Emphasis
Unity and Variety

3. Proportion
Refers to the size relationships that can be found within an object or design.
From experience, designers know that certain proportions create a more pleasing effect than others.

4. People generally prefer rectangles to squares.
Unequal divisions of space are often more appealing to the eye.

5. Scale
Refers to how the size of an object or a space relates to human beings and to other objects or spaces in design.

6. The Golden Section
A special way of dividing a line, somewhere between 1/3 and ½, making it more visually appealing.
Think about tie backs on
a curtain, by placing your
tie back between the 1/3
and ½ mark, it looks
more pleasing.

7. Scale and proportion are not the same
Scale and proportion are not the same. A lamp might be in perfect proportion but be the wrong scale for a room (too large or too small).

8. Human scale i.e. small scale for a children’s room.

9. Balance Is the design principle that provides a feeling of equality.
Symmetrical Balance: formal balance, mirror images

10. Asymmetrical Balance: a design in which one side is not the mirror image, it’s unmatched but appears to be balanced.

11. Rhythm
Is the principle that suggests connected movement between different parts of a design.
Repetition
Radiation
Gradation
Transition
Opposition

12. Repetition: the act of repeating, might be as simple as AAAAA or might be a pattern ABABAB

13. Radiation: occurs when lines radiate or move outward from a central point.

14. Gradation: a gradual increase or decrease of color, size or pattern.

15. Opposition: when lines come together to form right angles (square corners, sofas at a right angle)

16. Transition: when lines change direction by flowing into a curve (arched doorways, a sofa w/curvy arms or back)

17. Emphasis Center of interest or focal point, can be created by
one large object or a
collection of smaller
ones.

18. Unity and Variety
Must be combined to create an overall harmonious effect.

19. Unity: occurs when all the parts of a design are related by one idea.

20. Variety: occurs when different styles and materials are combined
Variety: occurs when different styles and materials are combined. Confusion is when variety is carried too far.