Basic Principles of Design PPT

1. PRINCIPLES OF
DESIGN
Interior Design Fundamentals
Objective 2.02
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2. PRINCIPLES OF DESIGN
The principles of design are guidelines for
working with the elements of design.
When you understand the principles of
design you can successfully use the
elements of design.

3. PRINCIPLES OF DESIGN
• BALANCE
• EMPHASIS
• RHYTHM
•SCALE
• PROPORTION
• Harmony: UNITY/VARIeTY

4. BALANCE
• Balance is equilibrium among parts of a design.
• When there is balance there is equal VISUAL
weight on both sides.
• Balance can be formal or informal

5. TYPES OF BALANCE
• SYMMETRICAL OR
FORMAL BALANCE
• Achieved by placing identical objects
on either side of a central point.
• This type of balance is often used in
elegant and formal rooms. It is
appropriate for traditional decorating
styles.
• Can be used for exterior design.
• People feel comfortable because of its
orderliness.
• ASYMMETRICAL OR
INFORMAL
BALANCE
• Achieved by placing different objects
of equal visual weight on either side
of a central point.
• Feels more creative and less
traditional.

6. Name that form of balance…

7. Name that form of
balance…

8. EMPHASIS
• Emphasis creates a focal point.
• The eyes are immediately drawn to that point when
you enter a room.
• Gives a feeling of stability and unity to the room.
• Make sure the focal point is worthy.
• Focal point should dominate the room but not
overpower it.
• No feature should compete with the focal point.

9. What is the focal point
and is it worthy?

10. RHYTHM
• Smoothly leads the eyes from one area to
another in a design.
• Rhythm results when an element of a design
forms an organized pattern.
• Rhythm can be achieved through:
• REPETITION
• GRADATION
• RADIATION
• OPPOSITION
• TRANSITION

11. Rhythm: REPETITION
• When an element
of design is
repeated. (line,
form, color, texture
etc.)
• Repetition is one of
the easiest ways to
achieve rhythm.

12. Rhythm: GRADATION
• Gradation is created
by a gradual increase
or decrease of similar
elements.
• The eyes travel
through the gradual
changes.
• Examples are color
values changing, lines
increasing in
thickness, textures
changing from rough
to smooth…etc

13. Rhythm: RADIATION
• In rhythm by
radiation, lines flow
outward from a
central point like a
sunburst.

14. Find the examples of radiation

15. Rhythm: TRANSITION
• Rhythm by transition is created when
curved lines carry the eyes from one
part of an object or room to another.
• An arched window will lead the eye
from one side to the other. A drapery
swag will draw your attention from one
part of the drapery to another.

16. Rhythm: OPPOSITION
 Deliberate placing
of forms or colors to
create opposition by
abrupt change
instead of gradual.
 Exciting
 Old and new
 Ornate with plain
 Vertical lines
meeting horizontal
lines

17. SCALE
• Scale is the relative size of an object in relation to
other objects.
• When furniture is scaled to the space they occupy, it is
visually pleasing. For example, large rooms require
large-scale furnishings.
• The furnishings should be in scale with one another
and also in scale with the people using them.
• You must consider visual weight when choosing
objects. ( A wooden chair and an upholstered chair
may have the same dimensions but the upholstered
chair will look larger and heavier)

18. Scale

19. SCALE These are the same size but different
visual weights

20. Proportion
• Proportion is the
relationship between a
whole object and one
its parts.
• An example would be a
lamp to the lamp shade.

21. Proportion cont.
• Proportion can also be described as a ratio,
one part to another part or one part to the
whole. The GOLDEN MEAN states that ratios
that are unequal, such as 2:3, 3:5, and 5:8 are
more pleasing than ratios that are equal like 1:1
or 1:2.

22. Harmony
When the elements and the principles are
used together and create a pleasing
design.
Things go together without a boring or
chaotic look or feeling.
Achieved by utilizing UNITY & VARIETY.

23. UNITY/VARIETY
• Unity is having all parts of a design related by
one idea. Ex. A restaurant where all wooden
chairs are painted blue
• Variety is when a change is made in the unity
making it more interesting. Ex. Different types
of wooden chairs all painted blue
• To achieve Harmony, have some elements of
design that are UNIFIED and then pick one or
two elements to VARY within the space.