PRINCIPLES OF DESIGNPRINCIPLES OF DESIGNRules, instructions, or guidelines for Rules, instructions, or guidelines for using the Elements of Design that will using the Elements of Design that will lead to a more successful overall design.lead to a more successful overall design.

Balance, Scale, Proportion, Rhythm, Balance, Scale, Proportion, Rhythm,

Emphasis, Unity, Variety, Emphasis, Unity, Variety, harmonyharmony

passionate strong boys romance every unusual valentine passionate strong boys romance every unusual valentine heartheart

1. Balance1. Balance Visually gives a sense of Visually gives a sense of

equilibriumequilibrium or weight in a design. or weight in a design. Visual weight is created in four ways:Visual weight is created in four ways:

SizeSize Color Color TextureTexture Number of objectsNumber of objects

Odd number is more pleasingOdd number is more pleasing

5. Types of Balance…5. Types of Balance… SymmetricalSymmetrical AsymmetricalAsymmetrical RadialRadial

Symmetrical / Formal BalanceSymmetrical / Formal Balance Achieved by placing Achieved by placing identical identical

objects objects on either side of central on either side of central point.point. One side of the room is the One side of the room is the mirror mirror

image image of the otherof the other Suggest restraint, Suggest restraint, orderlinessorderliness, quiet, , quiet,

restful, and restful, and formality.formality. EasiestEasiest type of balance type of balance

to create. to create.

Symmetrical BalanceSymmetrical Balance

Symmetrical BalanceSymmetrical Balance

Asymmetrical / Informal BalanceAsymmetrical / Informal Balance Achieved by placing objects of Achieved by placing objects of equal equal

visual weightvisual weight on either side of a on either side of a central point..

Most Most interestinginteresting arrangements – arrangements – Visual weights are Visual weights are equal, but elements are , but elements are

differentdifferent in size, form, color, pattern, and in size, form, color, pattern, and spacingspacing

RelaxedRelaxed and informal feel and informal feel More More difficultdifficult balance balance

to achieve. to achieve.

Asymmetrical BalanceAsymmetrical Balance

RadialRadial Achieved by placing objects around a Achieved by placing objects around a

central pointcentral point. . Creates a sweeping, Creates a sweeping, dramaticdramatic, circular , circular

motion in a room.motion in a room. Chairs around a table, a clock, mirrorChairs around a table, a clock, mirror

Radial BalanceRadial Balance

3. Methods to achieving balance3. Methods to achieving balance Large objects Large objects

and spaces and spaces visually appear visually appear heavierheavier than than small ones.small ones.

A grouping of A grouping of small objectssmall objects can visually can visually balance out a balance out a larger object.larger object.

OpaqueOpaque materials materials appear heavier appear heavier than than transparent transparent materials.materials.

Bright, warm, dark-Bright, warm, dark-patterned colors patterned colors appear appear heavierheavier than than grayed, cool, light grayed, cool, light colors.colors.

Typical shaped objects Typical shaped objects settle into the settle into the backgroundbackground..

Textures and Textures and patterns patterns hold hold one’s attention one’s attention longer than smooth, longer than smooth, plain surfaces.plain surfaces.

Contrasting Contrasting textures, patterns, and textures, patterns, and colors colors have a greater impact on creating have a greater impact on creating visual weight or an imbalance than close visual weight or an imbalance than close harmonies do.harmonies do.

Objects above eye Objects above eye level appear to be level appear to be heavierheavier than than objects placed objects placed below eye level.below eye level.

Brightly-lit areas Brightly-lit areas attract more attract more attentionattention than than dimly lit areas.dimly lit areas.

5. Balance is ever changing5. Balance is ever changing1. When a 1. When a person enters the roomperson enters the room, the balance , the balance of the room is charged.of the room is charged.

The clothing they are wearing and the places they The clothing they are wearing and the places they move will also change the balance.move will also change the balance.

2. The constant changing of 2. The constant changing of natural lightnatural light is is another factor.another factor.

Sunlight at different times of daySunlight at different times of day

3. The little 3. The little things that happen every daythings that happen every day Reading materials placed in a room, toys, fading of Reading materials placed in a room, toys, fading of

carpets and furniture, etc.carpets and furniture, etc.

Symmetrical House ClipSymmetrical House Clip

Balance AssignmentsBalance Assignments

Fireplace MantelFireplace Mantel Create 2 sketches of the same fireplace drawn side by Create 2 sketches of the same fireplace drawn side by side on the same page. side on the same page. Think of items that might be displayed on or around a Think of items that might be displayed on or around a fireplace mantel. Create 2 different arrangements of fireplace mantel. Create 2 different arrangements of items to represent 2 different types of balance. The items to represent 2 different types of balance. The items do not need to be the same for both pictures. items do not need to be the same for both pictures. On the back, explain which of the 2 types of balance On the back, explain which of the 2 types of balance are seen, how the 2 types of balance were achieved, are seen, how the 2 types of balance were achieved, and the feeling they created.and the feeling they created.