Line & The principles of design

Balance

• occurs when the visual weight in an artwork is equally distributed
• four balance arrangements
• asymmetrical
• symmetrical (approximately symmetrical)
• radial

Unity

• when all elements work together to communicate ideas or feelings
• is affected by proximity, similarity, & continuation
• proximity (creating groups of objects)
• similarity (making things similar to each other)
• continuation (creating a flow of vision from one object to another)

Contrast

• frequently used to make an element of a composition dominant
• contrasting materials
• contrast of line, shape, size, color, value, texture
• contrast of direction
• can be based on difference

Emphasis

• the addition of detail in one area or form
• grouping of elements
• a recognizable form among abstract ones

Pattern

• repeating lines, shapes, other elements in a recognizable way over areas
• motifs (repeated elements)
• add movement
• variety

movement

• repeated elements of rhythm that implies movement
• implied movement (when nothing is really moved)
• lines, shapes, forms, figures, etc. imply movement
• optical movement (lines & shapes to create optical illusions)
• sequence (of pictures, another way to imply movement & passage of time)

Web References

• The Visual Experience - Third Edition (Hobbs, Salome, Vieth)
• Haiku Deck