DESIGN PRINCIPLES & VARIOUS
PLANES OF ART
Write-up Material
CENTRAL PHILIPPINE UNIVERSITY
Lecture
Art Appreciation (GEHUM 1)
Stub Code: 211
Aragones, Klarenze Mykael
Arinal, Wilmer
Laud, Samira Najwa
Ledesma, Celine
Limpin, Shakti Dev
Members
DESIGN PRINCIPLES:
Introduction:
The principles of design are how (directions or procedures) those building blocks
(elements of art) are arranged into a composition. They are the ways an artist can
organize the elements of art to create a wide range of effects.
Design- A work of art’s overall visual structure
Composition- The manner the artwork is arranged
Compositional Rules (Rules of 3rds)
Objects of interest should fall into the intersecting grid (blue dots).
The focal points will now be the overlapping areas as shown by the blue circles
Create more interest than in the center of the grid
Artists often divide the background and the foreground content.
Harmony
Harmony is considered as one of the most important principles of design
The idea of putting together the different parts to make a whole, thereby resulting in the
completeness of a composition.
Ways in achieving harmony in your Composition
Similarity- Repeating colors, shapes, values, textures, or lines creates a visual
relationship. Repetition unifies all parts of a design, giving it consistency and
completeness.
Continuity- Treat different elements in the same manner to create "family
resemblances." This uninterrupted connection ties different forms together.
Alignment- Arranging shapes so that one shape's line or edge leads into another
creates unity. Aligning elements to implied axes (top, bottom, center, sides) creates
visual relationships that unify them.
Proximity - Group related items together so they appear as one cohesive group.
Elements close together are perceived as related, while those farther apart are seen as
less related.
Using a connecting element (like a road) can suggest a relationship between near and
distant forms.
Rhythm
Rhythm is created by the careful placement of repeated elements in a work of art to
cause a visual tempo or beat. (Mittler, 2006)
Rhythm is usually achieved through repetition of lines, shapes, colors, and more. It
creates a visual tempo in artworks and provides a path for the viewer’s eye to follow.
Pattern - Shown through the specific arrangement of elements that recur in a
design.
Repetition- Occurs when objects or elements of design show similarities in terms
of color, shape, size, or even the objects themselves are repeatedly used.
Rhythm- Results from differences in pattern. That show a sense of connection
within a work of art.
Variety
Variety refers to the elements of a composition that
differ from one another.
Variety creates visual interest and energy.
A lot of variety can make an artwork look busy or
overwhelming. When paired with unity, variety
offers the viewer points of interest.
Balance
Balance is a feeling of equality in weight, attention, or attraction of the various elements.
(Ortiz, et al., 1978)
Balance is a way of combining elements to add a feeling of equilibrium or stability or a
work of art. (Mittler, 2006)
Balance refers to the distribution of weight in a composition.
Symmetrical Balance- An artwork with symmetrical balance is well balanced and
looks even and stable.
Absolute Symmetry- when one side of an artwork mirrors the other
Bilateral Symmetry- when the symmetrical balance is not exact
Asymmetrical Balance- It makes “heavier” or “lighter” in some areas, looks
unstable, and can make the viewer uncomfortable. Adds a dynamic look to artworks
and often draws attention to focal points in the composition.
Radial Symmetry- Arranged around a central component. Forms and objects in a
radially balanced composition appear to radiate out of the circular focal point of the
artwork.
Proportion
More of a ratio; comparing parts of a whole in terms of size.
Artists can use the scale and proportion to create sensations such as depth, realism,
disorientation, and drama.
Emphasis
Emphasis is a way of combining elements to
stress the differences between those elements.
(Mittler,2006)
Emphasis refers to the area of an artwork that
dominates attention or draws interest.
It is often the place a viewer looks at first –
making a focal point/subject.
What we focus on an artwork – usually
largest or most detailed
Artists create emphasis by contrasting the elements of art, such as color or shape.
Subordination- de-emphasize certain elements in a work of art to make certain subject
stands out.
Contrast
Contrast refers to the amount of difference between elements
Contrast can be in terms of: lines, colors, shapes, texture
For example, light and dark colors, smooth and rough textures, large and small
shapes.
Contrast can be used to create variety, visual interest, and drama in an artwork.
Juxtaposition - combining 2 or more unlike things to show contrast
Scale
The comparison of an object to another in terms of size
Scale in art describes the size of one object in relation to another and also refers to our
perception of perspective and proportion.
Artworks that look realistic are scaled similarly to real world objects. Scale in art can also
refer to the overall size of the work.
Hierarchical scale is a technique used in art, most often in sculpture and painting, in
which the artist depicts objects with an unnatural scale to show their importance or lack
thereof. This size manipulation draws the viewer’s eye where the artist wants attention.
Movement
Movement can be thought of in two ways:
The first refers to how an artist depicts
movement using the elements and principles
of art.
The second way refers to the visual flow of
an artwork, indicated by the path a viewer’s
eyes take as they look at the artwork.
Lines, edges, shapes, and colors can be utilized
by the artist to point the way through an
artwork as a map for our eyes to follow.
VARIOUS PLANES IN ART
Reading the Image of the Visual Work
It involves getting the message and the underlying meaning of the message, as portrayed
by the visual elements and the factors surrounding the creation of such artwork.
Basic Documentary Information (Alice G. Guillermo)
Title of the Artwork
The title may or may not contribute to the work meaning or identifies the subject, or
bears an ironic relationship to the work, or a witty comment about the work or its
subject
Name of the Artist
The following information must be supplied in addition to their names:
Generation the artist belongs
Dominant artistic trends during their active years
Personal background and training
Record, diaries, and published statements which may shed light on their art.
Medium and Technique
The following information must be supplied in addition to their names:
Determine whether the medium is academic or non-academic, artistic choice
as in mixed or multimedia
Keen awareness of the work of art in terms of artistic process involving
mediums and techniques
Identify the kind of materials used
Note to be added regarding the ground of a painting
Dimension and Measurement
The dimensions may be measured by metric system. The measurements may be
big, large-scale, mural size, average, small or miniature. The usual format of a
painting is rectangular. However, symbolism may come into play such as square or
circular format.
Date of Work
The date of work which was completed provides the historical context of the work. It
also provides information as to what period of the artist development of the work
belongs, and finally, the date of the work situates in art history, that it tells whether
the artwork belongs to a particular trend, school, or movement.
Provenance
This is indicated by the name of the owner of the artwork, of the collector of the
work, or whether it belongs to an art museum, art gallery, or a private collection.
Plane of Analysis
Basic Semiotic Plane
Semiotics – study of signs, their meaning and how these meanings are conveyed
or communicated
Signifier – observed given the physical aspect
Signified – intangible aspect which depicts the concept of the artwork.
This includes the elements and general, technical, and physical aspects of
the work. The mere presence of the material is already evidence of its
significance.
Iconic Plane or the Image Itself
This includes the choice of the subject which may bear socio-political implications.
It also includes the arrangement of the figures or their positioning (be a frontal, in
profile, or three fourths, etc.).
Icon - refers to a simple image with unique meaning.
Contextual or Thematic Plane
Art is viewed in relation to its time, the ideologies and concerns of that period.
The theme is derived from the significant circumstances of the artist and therefore
a good analysis within this plane demands that the viewer knows the artist's
background.
References:
Developing Artistic Sensibilities: A Textbook on Art Appreciation for College Students
Basic Art Appreciation and the Humanities
