2. Intended Learning Outcomes
At the end of this
module, you will be
able to:
•Determine the different principles of
design
3. Principles of Design
The principle of design describes the ways
by which an artist makes use of the
elements of art in his or her artwork. The
artist is guided by different rules to
carefully plan and organize his or her work
to hold interest and command attention
from the audience.
4. Principles of Design
Thus, an artist who works with the
principles creates a more interesting piece
of art. However, these principles are no
absolute laws. It still depends on the artist
on how he/she will express himself/herself
in his/her work (Perez et al., 2013).
5. Unity
Unity, also called harmony, is
one of the most important
principles of design. It is the
combination of similar
elements (color, lines, shapes,
etc.) to create a sense of
wholeness in art. It is the
measure of how the elements
belong together.
Piet Mondrian, Broadway
Boogle-Woogie, 1942-43
6. Rhythm
Rhythm is a feeling of
movement achieved by the
repetition of visual elements.
The artist combines elements to
create a pattern of movement.
This pattern directs the viewer's
eyes from one element to
another.
Starry Night, Vincent
van Gogh, 1889
7. Variety
Variety refers to the
combination of elements that
differ from one another, like
combining different colors,
shapes, and textures. But too
much variation can make the
artwork look busy and
overwhelming. That is why it is
important to combine unity and
variety.
Wassily Kandinsky, Der Sturm,
Volume 10, Number 7, 1919
8. Balance
Balance is the feeling of visual
equality of objects, shape,
color, texture, and space.
There are three kinds of
balance that an artist can use:
• Symmetrical balance
• Asymmetrical balance
• Radial balance
9. 1. Symmetrical balance
It is also called a formal
balance. An artwork with
symmetrical balance is well-
balanced and stable. One side
mirrors the other side. James Abbott McNeill Whistler,
Arrangement in Grey and Black No.1
10. 2. Asymmetrical balance
This kind of balance is more of a
"felt balance. It is achieved
when the visual element on
each side are not identical but
so placed or arranged that it
still produces a feeling of
equality or stableness.
James Abbott McNeill Whistler,
Arrangement in Grey and Black No.1
12. 3. Radial balance
Objects or patterns in the
artwork are arranged in a
circular manner, and they seem
to move out of the center.
England, Charger of Charles Il
in the Boscobel Oak
13. Proportion
Proportion is the relationship of the objects in the
picture to other objects and their relationship to the
whole picture. The elements fit together in terms of
size, quantity, and spacing When there is a correct
relationship that exists between the elements, it is
said to be harmonious. Proportion can also be used
to create a feeling of depth and drama.
14. Emphasis and Subordination
This principle concerns the giving of Importance to
certain aspects of an artwork in relation to the
whole. When the artist wants to emphasize an
image, he or she tends to make it more noticeable
using a different color, different shape, making it
more significant and dominant, adding more detail
to it, contrasting it, or isolating it from other objects
15. The Rule of Thirds
The rule of thirds is one of the basic
techniques that has been used in the
visual arts. The general guideline of the
rule of thirds is dividing the image into
grids by creating two parallel vertical
and horizontal lines, creating nine
equally proportioned boxes. The
important element is then placed on
either of the lines or at any of the four
intersections
Fishing Boats on the Beach at Les
Saintes Maries de la Mer, Vincent
van Gogh, 1888
16. The Rule of Thirds
Fishing Boats on the Beach at Les
Saintes Maries de la Mer, Vincent
van Gogh, 1888
