PRINCIPLES OF DESIGN

1. symmetrical/ formal balance

   Nota:

   • -equal "weight" on equal sides of a centrally placed fulcrum -weight of composition is equally distributed -identical forms on both sides of the axis
   1. bilateral symmetry

      Nota:

      • -elements are arrange equally on both sides
   2. approximately symmetrical

      Nota:

      • -equivalent but not identical
   3. radial symmetry

      Nota:

      • -arranging elements equally around central point
2. asymmetrical balance
   1. color

      Nota:

      • -vibrant colors against neutral colors
   2. value

      Nota:

      • black vs. white or contrast
   3. shape

      Nota:

      • -flat vs. irregular shapes
   4. position

      Nota:

      • -larger weight (closer) vs. lighter weight (farther)
   5. texture

      Nota:

      • -smooth vs rough -soft vs. hard
   6. eye direction

      Nota:

      • -by used of edges, shapes, groups

Nota:

• -relative size and scale of the various elements in a design

1. deals with the size relationship of one part to another
2. bad proportion vs. good proportion
3. Ex. Vitruvian Man by Leonardo da Vinci
4. a.k.a Law of Relationship
5. Perfect Proportion: The Golden Ratio, the Golden Mean, or Fibonacci's Spiral

   Nota:

   • Parthenon

Nota:

• -imagine breaking an image down into thirds (horizaontally & vertically) so that you have 9 parts.

1. subject placed on one of the intersecting points
2. natural point of focus

1. similiarity

   Nota:

   • -repetition
2. continuity

   Nota:

   • -family resemblances
3. alignment

   Nota:

   • arranging shapes
4. proximity

   Nota:

   • -cohesive group

1. achieved by creating differences in:
   1. shape
   2. color
   3. texture
   4. direction
   5. movement
   6. size
   7. value
   8. type
   9. alignment

Nota:

• -provides focal point for the piece

1. a.k.a. dominance

Nota:

• -repetition or alternation of elements

1. sense of movement
2. establish pattern and texture
3. kinds:
   1. regular

      Nota:

      • -intervals bet. elements,  -similar in size or length
   2. flowing

      Nota:

      • -give sense of movement
   3. progressive

      Nota:

      • -shows sequence of forms
   4. repetition

      Nota:

      • -patterning -visual "beat"
   5. alternation

      Nota:

      • -sequence of repeating motifs are presented in turn (short/long; fat/thin; round/square; dark/light)
   6. gradation

      Nota:

      • patterned thru regular progression of steps

1. composition with similar units
2. used similar elements

1. to change the character
2. complement to unity
3. needed to create visual interest