TERY

1. ASTU- DEPARTMENT OF ARCH.
Tamirat T.
The Elements &
Principles of Design

2. The Elements & Principles of Design

5. Introduction
Basic overview about the Elements
and Principles of Designing.
 The presentation will give you a
good understanding about the
significance, meaning and the
types of designing elements and
principles .
What are
they??
Why they
were used??

6. Significance of the Topic
Sometimes we have to give our
opinion about likes or dislikes on a
piece of art or a design, and it’s easy to
say just “ I like this, or I don’t like
that…”. But if we are asked to give the
reasons for it , then it proves to be a
very difficult to find out the reason.
This generally happens because we
judge the designs on its appeal rather
than on its articulate sub-factors.
Therefore it’s imperative to know the
meaning and the types of the designing
elements and principles. Can you evaluate this piece of art???

7. Designing Elements
and Principles proves
to be an analyzing
frame for
the designers.
A designer can express his
thought & intentions with the
elements of design and does it
effectively along with the
design principles, i.e. they
serves as an expressing tool for
designers.
Designer who knows
the design Elements &
Principles can evaluate
the design/page in
terms of line, color,
balance, texture, etc.
Now, let us discus these
Elements & Principles!!!

8. Elements
Of
Design

9. Meaning
“Elements of Design are the components or part which
can be isolated & defined in any visual design or work of
art. They structure and carry the work.”

10. Basic Elements of Design
 Following are the eight basic elements of design which are common
throughout the field of designing.
1. Point / Mark
2. Line
3. Shape
4. Forms
5. Space
6. Color
7. Texture /material
8. Light and shadow
Can someone tell
us about the
Elements of
Design???

11. Point (Mark)
 A point or mark is the smallest and most basic element . It can vary in
size, value, regularity or irregularity, and can be used alone as a unit in a
group.
 Marks can be used to form a value or pattern ( placed close together
forms a darker value, further apart forms a lighter value), or to delineate
space ( larger means closer, etc.)

12. Line
 A line is a form with width and length, but no depth.
 Artist use lines to create edges, the outlines of objects. The direction of
a line can convey mood.
 Produces a sense or movement.
 Broadly lines can be categorized into three types
1. Horizontal
2. Vertical
3. Diagonal
# Curved

14. Example of Horizontal Lines
 Horizontal lines are calm and quiet.
 Increases length.

15. Example of Vertical Lines
 Vertical lines suggest more of a potential for movement.
 Increases height.

16. Example of Diagonal Lines
 Diagonal lines strongly suggest movements and give more of a
feeling of vitality to a picture.
 Shows a transition

17.  can be described by basic
geometry objects such as a
set of two or more points, a
line, a curve, a plane, a
plane figure (e.g. square or
circle), or a solid figure (e.g.
cube or sphere).
 Implies a flat image
 Representations which
have shape but not form
are two dimensional
 shadows and reflections
are flat – have shape but
no form
 The outline of an image or
object gives it it’s shape
Shape

18. Shape
 Shape is defined as an area that stands out from the space next to or
around it due to a defined or implied boundary, or because of
differences of value, color, or texture.
 A shape is formed when a line encloses an area.
 Shapes have two dimensions, length and width and can be geometric or
free-form.

20.  "Architectural Form Is The Point Of
Contact Between Mass And Space.
 It May Refer To An External
Appearance That Can Be
Recognized.
 Forms are shaped by the space
they occupy
 Forms are shaped and sized
according to their ability to fill
space with their material
dimensions
Forms

21. Forms
 Forms describes volumes and mass, or the 3D aspects of objects that
take up space.
 Forms can and should be viewed from any angles.
For example: When you hold a baseball, or a small sculpture, you are
aware of their curves, angles, indentations, & edges i.e. their forms.

22.  Shape: The characteristic outline or surface configuration
of a particular form. Shape is the principal
aspect by which we identify and
categorize forms.
visual properties of Form

23.  Size : The physical dimensions of length. width. And depth
of a form. While these dimensions determine the
proportions of a form, its scale is determined by its size
relative to other forms in its context.
visual properties of Form

24.  colour :A Phenomenon Of Light
And Visual Perception That May
Be Described In Terms Of An
Individual's Perception Of Hue,
Saturation, And Tonal Value.
Colour Is The Attribute That
Most Clearly Distinguishes A
Form From Its Environment. It
Also Affects The Visual Weight
Of A Form .
 Texture :The Visual And
Especially Tactile Quality Given
To A Surface By The Size. Shape,
Arrangement, And Proportions
Of The Parts. Texture Also
Determines The Degree To
Which The Surfaces Of A Form
Reflect Or Absorb Incident
Light.
visual properties of Form

25.  is defined as the unlimited expanse in which
everything is located or an empty area usually
bounded in some way between things.
The space between these two
hedges is given shape by
outline of the form which each
hedge takes.
Space

26. Space
 Space is a 3D volume that can be empty or filled with objects. It has
width, height, and depth.
 Space that appears three- dimensional in a 2D painting is an illusion that
creates a feeling of actual depth.
 Several techniques can be used to show such visual depth or space, for
example, overlapping, linear perspective, etc..
Example for Overlapping

27. Other Examples
Detail (aerial or atmospheric perspective) Linear perspective ( converging lines )

28. These hands by August Rodin occupy space but also contain space (held
between them).
Other Examples

29.  Objects and figures which have
body or three dimensionality, are
said to have form
 Forms are shaped by the space
they occupy
 Forms are shaped and sized
according to their ability to fill
space with their material
dimensions
 Objects and figures which have
form occupy space in the world
 Space is lost when a form takes up
that space
 Space is shaped by the bodies
which occupy it .
This two-part Andy Goldsworthy sculpture
is an example of form and space. The egg
form on the left appears to be the perfect
FORM and SPACE

30. Color
 Color has three properties. The first is hue, which is the name of the
colors.
- the primary hue are Yellow, Red, and Blue.
- secondary colors are made by mixing two primaries.
- intermediate colors are mixtures of a primary & adjacent secondary
color.
 The second property is Value, which refers to the lightness or darkness
of hue.
 The third property is Intensity, which refers to the purity of the hue also
known as “Chroma”.

31. Examples
Color Wheel Value Scale

32. Texture
 Texture refers to the surface quality, both simulated and actual, of
artwork.

33. Light and shadow
 By using various combination of light and shadow we can create a sense
of depth.

35. Meaning
“The Principles of Design are the artistic
guidelines used to organize or arrange the
structural elements of design.”

36. Basic Principles of Designing
 Following are the basic principles of effective design which are common
throughout the field of designing (i.e. from print design to lithography,
typography, & industrial design).
1. Balance
2. Contrast
3. Emphasis
4. Pattern
5. Rhythm/Movement
6. Unity
7. Proportion
8. Repetition
9. Subordination
10.Transition
11.Creativity
Principles
???

37. Balance
 Balance refers to the appropriate arrangement of objects in a design to
create the impression of equality in weight or importance. Balance
provides stability and structure to a design.
 Balance may be symmetrical and asymmetrical, but the goal should be
to achieve equilibrium.
 Symmetrical Balance can be described as having equal “weight” on
equal sides of a centrally placed fulcrum. It is also known as formal
balance.
 Asymmetrical Balance is more complex and difficult top envisage. It
involves placement of objects in a way that will allow objects of varying
visual weight to balance one another around a fulcrum point. It is also
known as informal balance.

38. Examples
Balance is formal when both sides are
symmetrical in terms of arrangement.

39. Examples
Asymmetrical/ informal balance

40. Rhythm
 Rhythm or movement is regarded as a visual temp or beat. It refers to a
regular repetition of elements to produce the look and feel of a
movement.
 Rhythm can be achieved through the careful placement of repeated
components. It can be directed for example, along edges & by means of
shape and colour.
 Rhythm can be categorized Random, Regular, Alternating, Progressive,
and Flowing.

41. Emphasis
 The term emphasis literally means to give importance.
 Emphasis in designing refers to give special attention to one part of a
work of art.
 It can be achieved through placement, contrast, colour, size, repetition,
etc.
For example: A dark shape in a light composition

42. Contrast/opposition
 Contrast refers to the
juxtaposition of different
elements of design (for
example: rough & smooth
textures, dark & light values)in
order to highlight their
differences or create visual
interest , or a focal point.
 Contrast allows us to emphasize
or highlight key elements in
your design.

43. Pattern/repetition
 Pattern in a design simply refers to keeping your design in a certain
format.
 It is often described as a regular arrangement of alternated or repeated
elements (shapes, lines, colors) or motifs.
For example: One could plan to have curved lines all around a design as
a pattern.

44. Unity
 Unity refers to the arrangement of elements to give the viewer the
feeling that all the parts of the design or piece form a coherent whole
i.e. designs must be in harmony in which all sections of the pattern make
other sections feel complete.
 It enables the design to be seen as one complete piece of art or design.

45. proportion
 Golden rectangle: the comparative relationship b/n things with respect
to size.
3*5
4*7
5*8

46. subordination
 Not all design parts have the same rank or value. Some are important
than other. The less important are subordinate, nut they stilll are
necessary for an effective design.
transition
 Change from one aspect of the design to another.
creativity
 Being imaginative or innovative, stimulating inventive powers.

47. Absolute examples of Designing Elements & Principles!!!
One can create such aesthetic piece of art if he strictly
adhere to all Elements & Principles of Designing.
Paintings by student of ADMEC