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The principles of design describe how artists use the elements of art in visual design. These principles include:
Proportion
Proportion
Proportion is the feeling of unity created when the size or quantity of visual elements relate well with each other. "Good proportion adds harmony, symmetry or balance among the parts of a design."[1] The proportions of a design dispays the importance of each element, with larger elements having more emphasis and more likely to be seen first.
This design uses proportions to assign importance to each character. Here, the character with larger proportions is more likely to be seen first.
Balance
Balance
Balance is the distribution of the weight of visual elements. In symmetrical balance, elements are weighted evenly on either side of the design; in asymmetrical balance, elements on either side are contrasted to even out the flow of the design; in radial balance, elements are arranged around a focal point in the design.
Symmetrical balance
Asymmetrical balance
Radial balance
Rhythm
Rhythm
Rhythm is the repetition of visual elements that suggests movement or action in a design. "It creates a visual tempo in artworks and provides a path for the viewer's eye to follow"[2]. Tools used to emphasise include: colour and contrast; figures and shapes; as well as size and weight.
This design uses rhythm by creating a sense of movement with the shapes of the cats.
Emphasis
Emphasis
Emphasis is the part of the design that dominates attention or draws the viewer's interest. This is achieved by making one element stand out by contrasting it with other elements, such as size, colour, texture, shape, etc.
This image draws attention to the worm by contrasting its bright pink colour with the greyscale background.
Contrast
Contrast
Contrast is the arrangement of opposite elements and objects in design. Using contrast creates emphasis and guides the viewer to the most important elements of a design first.
This design constrasts black and white to draw the viewer's attention to the character.
Harmony, unity and variety
Harmony, unity and variety
Harmony creates a sense of togetherness in design by emphasising the similarities of separate but related elements. Unity allows each individual element to coexist with one another to create a sense of completeness in a design. It should be noted that harmony is not the same as unity. "Harmony uses the elements of art (color, line, shape, form, value, space, texture) as a vehicle to create a sense of togetherness amongst otherwise separate parts"[3], while unity creates a sense of togetherness through the repetition of specific elements throughout the design.
This image uses elements of design (ie. same line weight, same colour scheme) to create a sense of harmony.
This image uses the repetition and proximity of shapes to create a sense of unity.
On the other hand, variety uses differing elements and objects in design to create visual interest.
This image uses varying line weight, shapes and colours to create a sense of variety.
References
References
Principle of Proportion (2013). Available at: https://visscom.wordpress.com/2013/04/14/principle-of-proportion/#:~:text=Proportion%20is%20the%20relationship%20of,the%20parts%20of%20a%20design. (Accessed: 10 September 2021).
The Ultimate Collection of Principles of Design Examples and Definitions (2018). Available at: https://artclasscurator.com/principles-of-design-examples/#Variety (Accessed: 9 September 2021).
Hurst, A. (2018) Unity, Harmony, and Variety - Principles of Art, Thevirtualinstructor.com. Available at: https://thevirtualinstructor.com/blog/unity-harmony-and-variety-principles-of-art (Accessed: 9 September 2021).
Bibliography
Bibliography
Adobe Spark. (2021) 8 Basic Principles of Design To Help You Create Awesome Graphics, Adobe.com. Available at: https://www.adobe.com/express/learn/blog/8-basic-design-principles-to-help-you-create-better-graphics#5-proximity (Accessed: 9 September 2021).
(2021) Getty.edu. Available at: https://www.getty.edu/education/teachers/building_lessons/principles_design.pdf (Accessed: 9 September 2021).
Hurst, A. (2018) Unity, Harmony, and Variety - Principles of Art, Thevirtualinstructor.com. Available at: https://thevirtualinstructor.com/blog/unity-harmony-and-variety-principles-of-art (Accessed: 15 September 2021).
Principles of Good Design: Proportion - Teresa Bernard Oil Paintings (2012). Available at: http://teresabernardart.com/principles-of-good-design-proportion/ (Accessed: 15 September 2021).
The Ultimate Collection of Principles of Design Examples and Definitions (2018). Available at: https://artclasscurator.com/principles-of-design-examples/#Rhythm (Accessed: 9 September 2021).
The Ultimate Collection of Principles of Design Examples and Definitions (2018). Available at: https://artclasscurator.com/principles-of-design-examples/#Variety (Accessed: 9 September 2021).
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