E l i i Explaining Elements and Principles Elements and Principles

of Designgon 4-H Exhibit Goal Cards

Visual Arts Clothing andVisual Arts, Clothing and Home Improvement exhibits p

require an explanation of l t d i i l felements and principles of

design on the exhibitdesign on the exhibit goal card/write up.g p

Read the fair book generalhibit l d l texhibit rules and classes to

find out what you need tofind out what you need to write about for your grade

level and exhibit class.

To help you explainTo help you explainElements and Principles of Design

for your exhibit, use the help sheet in the fairbook or on linethe fairbook or on line.

http://www.extension.iastate/boone/kidsteens/htm

(look under 4-H Club Resources on the right)( g )

Use these publications to understand elements and principles of design.

4 H 3134 H 492 4‐H 3134‐H 492

Available at the Extension office or on line at https://www.extension.iastate.edu/store/ 

The Elements of Design are:The Elements of Design are:

Line

Shape

TEXTURESpace

Elements of Design

Color Name the colors (hue )Color Name the colors (hue.)Are the colors bright or dull (intensity)?Are the colors light or dark (value)?How do the colors make you feel?How do the colors make you feel?Why do the colors look good together?

Line Describe the lines – curved, straight, thick thin, bold fine, horizontal, vertical, dotted, zigzag, etc.Do the lines lead your eye? ExplainDo the lines show direction or outline an object or divide a space? E l iExplainDo the lines create a mood? Explain

Elements of Design

Texture Describe the texture – smooth, slick, shiny, rough, raised, bumpy, fuzzy, soft, hard, grainy, etc.

Can you feel the texture or is it just visual?

Shape/Form Shapes are 2-dimensional. Are the shapes geometric or realistic or abstract?

If your design has 3-dimensions it has form – describe theIf your design has 3-dimensions it has form – describe the form (balls, cylinders, pyramids, boxes.)

Space Space is the amount of room you have.p p yDescribe the negative space (background)?Describe the positive space – the design?

The Principles of Design are:The Principles of Design are:

Balance Rhythm 

Emphasis

Proportion UnityProportion Unity

Both sides appear to be equal even if they are not identical.

Are both sides of the design the same (symmetrical)?Are both sides of the design the same (symmetrical)?If they are not the same, they may be asymmetrical, but do they feel balanced? Or is the design radial – arranged around a center point like a pizza, daisy or tire?

Symmetrical Asymmetrical

Rhythm

Rhythm is a feeling of movement as it directs your eye around the room. It is achieved through the repetition ofIt is achieved through the repetition of the design elements of shapes, forms, colors, textures, or lines.

What makes your eye move around the design? (repeating, gradually bigger, alternating)

ProportionProportionProportion refers to the relationship of parts within an item. Scale compares size.

All the parts (seat backAll the parts (seat, back, legs, and spindles) are in pro-portion to each other. However, the big chair

ld b hwould not be the correct size or scale for a toddler while the child’s rocker would not work very wellwould not work very well for an adult to sit in.

U itUnityUnity is achieved when all the elements and principles work together as a whole to create a look or theme.

Why do parts of the design feel like they belong together? (such as textures have similar feel, lines or shapes repeat, colors are harmonious)

EmphasisEmphasis

Emphasis draws your attention to a certain part of the room.

What is the first thing you see? Why? (Examples are contrasting color, line or shape; larger or smaller shape; contrastshape; larger or smaller shape; contrast from plain background)

Example:Example:pp

Goal Card explainingl l fElements and Principles of Design

Elements and Principles of design:Elements:Color The color of my shirt is brown with bleached color areasColor- The color of my shirt is brown with bleached color areas.Line- The lines in the design are mostly curved. For example, the lines of the spots are curved and so are the lines of the body.P i i lPrinciple:Emphasis- The first thing you see is the bleached areas on the shirt where the contact paper wasn’t placed.

Example: Home Improvement or Example: Home Improvement or p pp pVisual ArtsVisual Arts

Goal Card explainingl l fElements and Principles of Design

Elements and Principles of design:p gElements:Color- The color of the flowers complement each other because they are similar intensities. The yellow centers match the yellowthey are similar intensities. The yellow centers match the yellow background.Shape – The flower petals are made of oval rocks and the boardsthey are mounted on are squarethey are mounted on are square. Principle:Rhythm – Repetition is created by repeating the flower shapes and the board shapes Rhythm is also created as the eye followsand the board shapes. Rhythm is also created as the eye follows the circle of petals on each flower.