Chapter 7 Principles of Design

Objectives

1. Define symmetrical, asymmetrical, and radial balance
2. Explain relationship between emphasis and focal point
3. Differentiate between scale and proportion
4. Describe relationship between pattern, repetition, and rhythm
5. Discuss traditional relationship between unity and variety, and why modern artists have tended to emphasize variety over unity.

Principles of Design §

• Qualities of balance
• Emphasis
• Proportion and Scale
• Pattern
• Rhythm and Repetition
• Unity and Variety

Example of design using proportion:

• Leonardo da Vinci’s Study of Human Proportion

Balance §

Balance refers to the even distribution of weight in a composition.

• In a sculpture this can mean actual weight.
• Art typically deals with visual weight

Artists achieve visual valance by one of three means:

1. Symmetrical Balance
2. Asymmetrical Balance
3. Radial Balance Or, they make make a work to deliberately lack balance.

Absolute Symmetry - Exact same among sides Bilateral Symmetry - Sides seem to line up

Asymmetrical Balance

Think of weight on a seesaw. Color can also hold visual weight. For example, a black ball may seem heavier than a white one.

Radial Balance Everything radiates outward from a central point.

Focal Point - Place where emphasis is used to draw the viewer’s attention to one area of the work.

Scale - Size of the work can be in comparison to real life size or different size varieties within the piece.

Pattern, Repetition, and Rhythm

• Greek columns repeating, creating architectural rhythm
• Carpet with repeating designs

Unity

• Sense of coherence by repeating shapes and color patterns.

Postmodernism - Embracing tensions between elements instead of trying to balance them. Because we are getting lazier.