PRINCIPLES OF DESIGN:

Balance, emphasis, movement, proportion, rhythm, unity, and variety; the means an artist uses to organize elements within a work of art.

Rhythm A principle of design that indicates movement, created by the careful placement of repeated elements in a work of art to cause a visual tempo or beat.

Balance A way of combining elements to add a feeling of equilibrium or stability to a work of art. Major types are symmetrical and asymmetrical.

Emphasis/ Dominance/ Focus The part of the design that captures the audience's attention. This is intentionally crafted or planned. 

Contrast A way of combining elements to stress the differences/opposites between those elements. Contrast adds interest or drama to a design or artwork. 

Proportion A principle of design that refers to the relationship of two or more elements in a composition and how they compare to one another concerning size, color, quantity, degree, setting, etc. Ratio and Proportion is often used as a paired principle to emphasize on comparisons.

Gradation A way of combining elements by using a series of step-by-step changes in those elements. (large shapes to small shapes, dark hue to light hue, etc)

Harmony A way of combining similar or different elements in an artwork or design to accent their similarities (through use of repetitions and subtle gradual changes), achieving a unified whole. (See Variety)

Variety This principle is concerned with diversity or contrast. Variety is achieved by using different shapes, sizes, and/or colors in a work of art. Often, Unity in Variety is used as a paired principle to define Harmony in the artwork or design. (See Harmony)

Movement This princple creates the look and feeling of action and to guide the viewer’s eye throughout the work of art. Often, Rhythm and Movement is used as a paired principle to define the visual look and feeling of movement in an artwork or design of repeated/ rhythmic lines/ shapes/ patterns.