Back to the BasicsElements of Art

Principles of Design

March 2014

Principles of DesignHow the Build Blocks are usedBalanceContrast and ProportionEmphasisRhythm or MovementPatternUnityVariety

Rhythm is like pattern, in that the same elements (i.e. shape, line, etc) are repeated; however, with rhythm there are slight variations in the pattern. Rhythm is easily perceived, but complex and subtle. Think of water on a beach; it continually breaks on the shore in lines that are repeated, yet each one is different

In pattern, elements are repeated in the same way throughout the whole composition, as in the example above. In the example of rhythm below, the same elements are used, but with variations. See if you can sense and understand the difference

Boreas, 1903John William WaterhouseOil on canvasPre-Raphaelite style

Drawings found on Pinterest – no credit found.

Talk about movement in these still drawings…

Young Corn 1931,Grant Wood

oil on Masonite panel, 24 x 29 7/8 in.

The Great Wave of Kanagawa, c1823-1829Hokusai

Color woodcut, 10 x 15 in;

Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York

Golconde, 1953René Magritteoil on canvas, 81 x 100 cmPrivate Collection

Random Rhythm - Groupings of similar motifs or elements that repeat with no regularity create a random rhythm. Pebble beaches, the fall of snow, fields of clover, herds of cattle, and traffic jams all demonstrate random rhythms. What may seem random at one scale, however, may exhibit purpose and order at another scale.

Chuck Close - Self Portrait 2007 Chuck CloseScreenprint in 187 colors, 74.5 x 57.8 in.

Three Flags, 1958Jasper Johns encaustic on canvas, 30 7/8 × 45 ½ × 5 in.

Regular Rhythm - Like a heart or song with a steady beat, regular rhythm is created by a series of elements, often identical or similar, that are placed at regular or similar intervals, such as in grids. Simple regular rhythms, if overused, can be monotonous.

The flag stripes have alternating rhythm, but the stars and flags themselves have regular rhythm.

Alternating Rhythm - Two or more different motifs may be alternated, such as the black and red squares in a checkerboard; a single motif might be flipped, mirrored or rotated every so many iterations; or the placement or spacing between motifs can be alternated. This is essentially a regular rhythm that has more complex motifs, or meta-motifs. The added variety can help lessen the monotony of a regular rhythm.

Lizard, 1942M.C. Escher

Bush Medicine Dreaming, 2008, Gloria Petyarre acrylic on canvas, 152 x 91 cm

Flowing Rhythm - Flowing rhythm is created by undulating elements and intervals, bending and curving motifs and spaces. Natural flowing rhythm can be seen in streams and waterways, beaches and waves, sand dunes and glaciers, rolling hills and wind-blown grasses.

In architecture, repeating Elements of Design are often used to create rhythm. A row of columns on the facade of a building, a brick pattern, a wall of identical windows are all examples of how an architect may include a sense of rhythm in her structure. In the example below, the design by Antonio Sant'Elia has a strong sense of rhythm with its ascending, step-like windows and attached column on the left-hand side of the drawing.

In the Syndey Opera House architectural design, below, there are also repeating forms, but they are very different than Sant'Elia's design. The large, curved, pointed "shell-like" structures in various sizes establish a

strong sense of movement and rhythm.

Try focusing on one circle and fixate your eyes on the black centre dot. The immediate circle around the dot ceases to move, while the adjacent circle continues to move