Basic Definitions of the Principles and Elements of Design

There are many definitions of the principles and elements of design and although they may differ slightly and offer different insights, they are all relatively similar. Please consult the other interpretations in the books listed on the Recommended Reading List in the bibliography, particularly those with lots of visual examples.

Principles of Design

Guiding concepts or ideas that help us evaluate the strength of a work. Due to their more conceptual nature, the principles of design are more common across disciplines than the elements of design.

Unity

A sense of oneness or wholeness. Unity is achieved when everything in the composition comes together to make a single statement. Unity refers to the theme or the idea of the work and occurs through reinforcing or strengthening the central theme.

Harmony

A pleasing sense coming from the interaction of the components of the design and the way they complement the others and coordinate together. Harmony refers to the tangible elements of a design while unity refers to the theme or idea of the work. There are many different types of harmony (see color below) in that there are several different pleasing combinations of elements that balance each other and provide interest. All of the elements of design can be involved in harmony. There is color harmony, texture harmony, shape harmony, etc.

Balance

Physical stability or a sense of stability that comes from having an equal amount of weight on either side of the focal point or central line dividing one side of a composition from the other. Balance is one of the most universal principles of design, and often refers to the inclusion of the proper amounts of different elements in the right proportion so that no one sense unevenly dominates or obscures another. There are two types of balance, symmetrical balance in which two sides of a composition are mirror opposites of each other and asymmetrical balance in which two sides are of equal weight but differ from one another.

Rhythm

A sense of movement created through repetition and line. Rhythm depends on the intensity and frequency of the components and the number of times an element is repeated. Rhythm typically requires precision in order to create a strong sense of movement.

Proportion and Scale

Proportion and scale refer to the size relationship in a design. Proportion refers to the size relationship of design components each compared to the others. Scale refers to the size relationship of the overall design compared to its environment or surroundings.

Emphasis or Dominance

Most successful designs have a central component that dominates the design, often called the “focal point”. The focal point is the largest or most visually dominate component. In many disciplines the focal point is also the most expensive component. Lines often lead to and through the focal point or frame the focal point by establishing its space.

Variation

Variety in a design brings relief, interest, and allows a broader, more diverse statement to be made. While excessive variety invites chaos, a complete lack of variety communicates stasis. Variety is closely linked with harmony in that harmonic strategies describe the different types of variation that complement each other and coordinate well together.

Elements of Design for Art

Line

A visual path or clear sequence that can be followed within the composition. Lines are described both through design components and along edges and boundaries.

Space

There are two types of space, positive space and negative space. Positive space is the area a component occupies while negative space is the void between design components. Space is required for components to stand apart and be appreciated. An excessively large space can become a “hole” if parts of the composition are not easily connected.

Shape and Form

The outline and definition of design components and the overall design itself. Shape and form are determined through the edges of the components and the composition.

Texture

The tactile feeling or sense that design components exhibit or communicate.

Color

Hue or tonal sense of design components. There are four primary color harmonies. Monochromatic color harmony is made up of a hue plus its tints (hue plus white), shades (hue plus black), and tones (hue plus grey). Triadic color harmony is comprised of three colors equally distant, and equal in their tonal intensity. The three primary colors of blue, red, and yellow are the best known example of triadic color harmony. Complementary color harmony is made up of two colors that are directly opposite of each other and cancel to a neutral when combined. Red and green are an example of complementary color harmony. Analogous color harmony is made when a hue is combined with two or three other hues that are directly adjacent to it. Red, red-orange, and orange would make an analogous color harmony.

Value

The intensity or strength exhibited by a design component.