Lesson 4 - Principles of Design

• The principles of design are how elements or those building blocks are arranged.
• Principles of design are the ways an artist can organize the elements of art to create a wide range of effects.
• Balance is the distribution of the visual weight of objects, colors, texture, and space.
• Balance - If the design was a scale, these elements should be balanced to make a design feel stable.
• Balance refers to the distribution of weight in a composition.
• Principle of Balance most often refers to the visual heaviness of shapes and forms in an artwork.
• Balance affects the equality and tension of the composition and can lend a feeling of calm or chaos to the work.
• 3 Main Types of Balance:

  1. Symmetrical
  2. Asymmetrical
  3. Radial
• symmetrical balance - the elements used on one side of the design are similar to those on the other side.
• Symmetrical designs layout elements of equal weight on either side of an imaginary center line.
• asymmetrical balance - the sides are different but still look balanced.
• Asymmetrical balance uses elements of differing weights, often laid out in relation to a line that is not centered within the overall design. 
• radial balance - the elements are arranged around a central focal point.
• Radial - This method can be used to draw attention to the center of your design.
• Emphasis is the part of the design that catches the viewer’s attention.
• Emphasis - one area stand out by contrasting it with other areas.
• Emphasis refers to the area of an artwork that dominates attention or draws interest.
• Emphasis - It is often the place a viewer looks first.
• Artists create emphasis by contrasting the elements of art, such as color or shape.
• The artist or designer uses emphasis to call attention to something, or to vary the composition in order to hold the viewer's interest by providing visual "surprises."
• Movement - It is the path the viewer’s eye takes through the work of art, often to focal areas.
• Movement can be directed along lines, edges, shapes, and colors within the work of art.
• Movement refers to the way the eye travels over a design.
• Pattern is the repeating of an object or symbol all over the work of art.
• Pattern - It is an underlying structure that organizes surfaces or structures in a consistent, regular manner.
• Pattern can be described as a repeating unit of shape or form, but it can also be thought of as the "skeleton" that organizes the parts of a composition.
• Repetition works with pattern to make the work of art seem active.
• Repetition of elements of design creates unity within the work of art.
• Repetition is a great way to reinforce an idea.
• Repetition - it's a great way to unify a design that brings together a lot of different elements.
• Repetition can be done in a number of ways: by repeating the same colors, typefaces, shapes, or other elements of a design.
• Proportion  refers to the relative size and scale of the various elements in a design.
• Artists can use the scale and proportion to create sensations such as depth, realism, disorientation, and drama.
• Proportion is the feeling of unity created when all parts (sizes, amounts, or number) relate well with each other.
• When drawing the human figure, proportion can refer to the size of the head compared to the rest of the body.
• Rhythm is created when one or more elements of design are used repeatedly to create a feeling of organized movement.
• Rhythm creates a mood like music or dancing.
• To keep rhythm exciting and active, variety is essential.
• Rhythm is usually achieved through repetition of lines, shapes, colors, and more.
• Rhythm - It creates a visual tempo in artworks and provides a path for the viewer’s eye to follow.