the principles of design rhythm movement balance proportion variety emphasis unity

The Principlesof Design

RhythmMovementBalanceProportion

VarietyEmphasisUnity

RhythmRepeating an element over and over in a work of art;

similar to pattern; like the beat of artwork

In music there is a beat – in visual art there is a motif

Occurs when movement is repeated

Used to direct your eye

Rhythm in the Elements of Art:

Line Shape

Space Color Value

Texture

Movementan illusion of motion; when your eye follows

a path; caused by repetition and rhythm

Your eye will move around an artwork

because of the way the artist repeated things

Adds excitement

Movement in the Elements of Art:

Line Shape

Space Color Value

Texture

Balancea sense of stability in the

body of work; a feeling

of equal weight.

An experiment with balance

Not Balanced

Formal Balance

Formal or Symmetrical = when the 2 sides are equal

Informal Balance

Informal or Asymmetrical =

There is balance, but the two sides are not the same

Formal Balance

Informal Balance

Balancein the Elements of Art

Line Shape

Space Color Value

Texture

Formal

FormalInformal

Informal Informal

Informal

Proportion(scale) refers to the relationships of the

Size of objects in a body of work.

Artists learned that distorting or exaggerating

proportion could alter the effect of a work on the

viewer

Artists can show what is important by changing the

sizes of objects

Examples of PROPORTION

VarietyDifferences in artwork; You can achieve variety by using different shapes, textures, colors and values in your work.

Adds visual interest; keeps your eye

looking

Examples of VARIETY in art:

EmphasisOne object or area that stands out or

attracts attention, an area of interest that is important

AKA “focal point”

Created with strong contrast, highlights, large size, etc.

Emphasis: in the Elements of Art:

Line Shape

Space Color Value

Texture

Unityeverything fits together as a whole; AKA

“harmony”

Your work should not appear disjointed or confusing.

Lines, shapes, colors, textures, value or space fit together to form one unit

Composition appears to be a whole, not a collection of parts

Examples of UNITY/Harmony:

Unity: in the Elements of Art:

Line Shape

Space Color Value

Texture

What have you learned about theElements and Principles

of Visual Art?ELEMENTS

LineShapeSpaceTextureValueColor Form

PRINCIPLESVarietyRepetitionMovementRhythmEmphasisBalanceUnity