PRINCIPLES OF DESIGN

Principles of design are the concepts used to create a structured/organized arrangement using the basic fundamentals/elements of design. These principles govern the aesthetic quality of the artwork/design and make it visually appealing to humans.

The five major principles are:

•  Balance
•  Proportion
•  Rhythm
•  Emphasis
•  Unity

BALANCE

Just as we perceive the physical sense of balance, balance in design is the visual equilibrium of an artwork/design. It is the combination of elements put together in opposing forces to create a composition that is visually stable. These compositions can be symmetrical or asymmetrical. Symmetrical balance  or formal balance is described as having equal ‘weight’ on both the sides whereas asymmetrical balance or informal balance is more complex and revolves around the idea of balancing the visual ‘weight’ around a fulcrum point. Symmetrical compositions are the most commonly seen principle in nature and us humans lead more towards symmetrically balanced designs. Asymmetry attracts user attention and can be used to create interesting compositions.

http://www.schaubsrote.com/interior-design-blog/the-principles-of-design-balance/

Any design should be symmetrically or asymmetrically balanced to be aesthetically pleasing to the human eye. Balance is the most important principle of design.

PROPORTION

Proportion refers to the relative size and scale of the various elements of design. This is the relationship between objects, or parts, of a whole. The most universal standard of measurement to understand proportion is the human body, which is our experience of the things around us. Any object/item we use are proportionate to our human body, from the chair you sit to the pen you hold. Interior spaces are designed based on human scale and human experience. Not all spaces are designed to be proportionate to humans. Churches, museums and public spaces are created in a monumental scale, whereas your private home or cafes’ are created on a human scale to make it friendlier and comfortable for human usage.

http://char.txa.cornell.edu/language/principl/principl.htm

RHYTHM

Rhythm can be described as a pattern in movement. Rhythm is created when one or more elements of design are used repeatedly to create a feeling of organized movement. It creates a mood like music or dancing. You can hear a rhythm in a music note or even in the steady dripping of a faucet. You can see it on the pavement you walk or even in the leaf of a tree. It can be seen throughout nature and also in the built environment. Rhythm can be expressed in the form of repetition, alternation and progression. Introducing these can create order, interest and focus in your design. Rhythm should not be boring by repeating the same elements; therefore variety should be introduced in the designs.

https://www.hatchdesign.ca/principles-of-design-part-2-rhythm/

EMPHASIS

The easiest method to attract attention in a design or art is to create a focal point where the viewer’s eyes are drawn to. This focal point brings out the design in the form of emphasis where one element is given a higher priority when compared to the rest. Emphasis can be created by contrast, by isolation or even by placement. The focal point is mostly placed in the foreground for larger figures making the elements in the background supportive to the focal point. Colour variations, increasing or decreasing value, intensity of light, texture variations and even changes in sizes can be used to create emphasis. Emphasis is the easiest and the smartest method to create interesting designs for your artwork or to break monotonous interiors.

http://launchpadacademy.in/principles-interior-design/

UNITY/VARIETY

Unity in design is created to bring about a sense of harmony and wholeness by using similar elements within the design and placing them in a way that brings them all together. This is an important principle of design that gives the artwork/design a sense of cohesion or coherence. Designers or artists use similar components and elements of art to create consistency. Unity can be very subtle when done well. A unified design or composition will look just right, complete and pleasing. This does not mean the repetition of elements over and over again, but a pleasing combination of similar elements to create a bigger better design/picture. Variety is a version of unity where the similar elements are treated differently using contrasting colours, patterns or sizes. Harmony and unity go hand in hand as they complement each other in principles of design. Unified designs can sometimes be boring and monotonous; therefore adding an element of variety can break this and create an interesting view.

https://freshome.com/harmony-and-unity