BALANCE.
Balance is how the different elements in a drawing or design work together and "hold each other in check."
Symmetrical balance is when the elements are equally distributed on either side of a central axis.
Asymmetrical balance is when the elements are inequally distributed on each side of the central axis.
CONTRAST.
Contrast helps to create visual interest. For example, a strong contrast of light and dark will help to draw the viewer's attention to a particular area of the artwork. All the elements of design can be contrasted - value, color, line, shape, space, and texture.
PATTERN.
Pattern is created from from repeated elements in a drawing. A repeating element is called a motif.
PROPORTION.
Proportion refers to the relative size and scale of the various elements in a design. The issue is the relationship between objects, or parts, of a whole.
Our most universal standard of measurement is the human body; that is, our experience of living in our own bodies. We judge the appropriateness of size of objects by that measure. For example, a sofa in the form of a hand is startling because of the distortion of expected proportion, and becomes the center of attention in the room. Architectural spaces intended to impress are usually scaled to a size that dwarfs the human viewer. This is a device often used in public spaces, such as churches or centers of government. The same principle is often applied to corporate spaces through which the enterprise wishes to impress customers with its power and invincibility.
Balance is how the different elements in a drawing or design work together and "hold each other in check."
Symmetrical balance is when the elements are equally distributed on either side of a central axis.
Asymmetrical balance is when the elements are inequally distributed on each side of the central axis.
CONTRAST.
Contrast helps to create visual interest. For example, a strong contrast of light and dark will help to draw the viewer's attention to a particular area of the artwork. All the elements of design can be contrasted - value, color, line, shape, space, and texture.
PATTERN.
Pattern is created from from repeated elements in a drawing. A repeating element is called a motif.
PROPORTION.
Proportion refers to the relative size and scale of the various elements in a design. The issue is the relationship between objects, or parts, of a whole.
Our most universal standard of measurement is the human body; that is, our experience of living in our own bodies. We judge the appropriateness of size of objects by that measure. For example, a sofa in the form of a hand is startling because of the distortion of expected proportion, and becomes the center of attention in the room. Architectural spaces intended to impress are usually scaled to a size that dwarfs the human viewer. This is a device often used in public spaces, such as churches or centers of government. The same principle is often applied to corporate spaces through which the enterprise wishes to impress customers with its power and invincibility.
RHYTHM & MOVEMENT.
Visual rhythm comes from the repetition of elements - colors, shapes, lines, and so forth.
The rhythm may be regular and simple, or it may be irregular and complex.
Movement helps add energy and excitement to a composition.
The presence of rhythm and movement creates predictability and order in a composition.
The rhythm may be regular and simple, or it may be irregular and complex.
Movement helps add energy and excitement to a composition.
The presence of rhythm and movement creates predictability and order in a composition.
EMPHASIS.
This is how we say that something is important; that it should be noticed. Artists and designers use emphasis to help create a focal point.
A focal point is the part of the work an artist wants people to noticefirst. It is the center of interest.
Emphasis can be achieved in a number of ways: Repetition, Contrast of Color, Texture, Shape, or Size.
UNITY.
Unity is when everything works together to create a single whole. A simple way to judge the unity of a drawing or design is to ask yourself if anything could be left out and still have the drawing remain as successful as it is.
Unity is the underlying principle that summarizes all of the principles and elements of design. It refers to the coherence of the whole, the sense that all of the parts are working together to achieve a common result; a harmony of all the parts.
Unity can be achieved through the effective and consistent use of any of the elements, but pattern-- that is, underlying structure-- is the most fundamental element for a strong sense of unity. Consistency of form and color are also powerful tools that can pull a composition together.
Portions of this are excerpted from Art, Design, & Visual Thinking & Digital Web and Discovering Drawing by Ted Rose and Sallye Mahan-Cox (2007).
A focal point is the part of the work an artist wants people to noticefirst. It is the center of interest.
Emphasis can be achieved in a number of ways: Repetition, Contrast of Color, Texture, Shape, or Size.
UNITY.
Unity is when everything works together to create a single whole. A simple way to judge the unity of a drawing or design is to ask yourself if anything could be left out and still have the drawing remain as successful as it is.
Unity is the underlying principle that summarizes all of the principles and elements of design. It refers to the coherence of the whole, the sense that all of the parts are working together to achieve a common result; a harmony of all the parts.
Unity can be achieved through the effective and consistent use of any of the elements, but pattern-- that is, underlying structure-- is the most fundamental element for a strong sense of unity. Consistency of form and color are also powerful tools that can pull a composition together.
Portions of this are excerpted from Art, Design, & Visual Thinking & Digital Web and Discovering Drawing by Ted Rose and Sallye Mahan-Cox (2007).
