"Podcast #3 Principles of Design"

Define principles of design? Concepts used to arrange the structural elements of a composition.

What do the principles of design affect? They affect the expressive contact or message of the work.

What is the principle of repetition? Acts as a visual key that ties the piece together.

Describe ways that the principle of repetition helps the composition/audience? It can control the reader's eye and keep focus on the piece.

What are ways that you can incorporate repetition into your designs? Bold font, thick lines, certain bullet, color, design element, format, and spatial relationship.

What should you avoid when working with repetition? It can become annoying and overwhelming.

What is the principle of proportion/scale? The relative size and scale or the various elements in design.

What is the most universal standard of measure when judging size? The human body.

How can the principle of proportion/scale be used as an attention getter? Unusual or unexpected scale can be used.

What is the principle of balance? Distribution of heavy and light elements.

Which kinds of elements/shapes visually weigh heavier/greater? Larger elements.

What is another name for symmetrical balance? Formal balance.

Define symmetrical balance? The weight of a composition is evenly distributed around a central, vertical, or horizontal axis.

What is another name for asymmetrical balance? Informal balance.

Define asymmetrical balance? The weight of a composition is not evenly distributed around the axis.

What is the principle of emphasis? Stressing of a particular focus.

What happens to a design that has no focus? Nothing stands out.

What is a focal point and how is it created? Central interest, or where the eyes tends to go first; it's created by making one element dominant with all other areas contributing but subordinate.

How many components of a composition can be a focal point? One component.

What ways can emphasis be created in a design? Contrasting the primary element with three subordinate, or sudden change in direction, size, shape, etc.

What is the principle of unity? The "wholeness" of a composition.

What three ways can unity be obtained?
1. Put objects close to one another.

2. Make things similar.

3. Direct vision by a line that travels around the composition.

What is the principle of variety? Difference and diversity that appeals to certain viewers.

What ways can a designer add variety to a design? Colors, textures, shapes, tone, contrast, intensity, etc.

Why is it important to find the right balance between unity and variety? To have a successful and effective design.

What is figure? A form, silhouette, or shape.

What is another name for figure? Positive space.

What is ground? Surrounding area around the figure.

What is another name for ground? Negative space.

When a composition is abstract (has no recognizable subject) what will the figure depend on? What does that mean? The space around it. It is a figure.

Why must a designer consider the composition as a whole? It will be considered a partially finished design.

What is the principle of rhythm? Continuity recurrence or organized movement in space or time. 

How is rhythm achieved? It is achieved through the orally repetition of any elements, line, shape, or value, tone, or texture.

What three ways can rhythm occur in a design?
1. Intervals between the elements are similar in size or length.

2. With an organic sense of movement.

3. Sequence of shapes through a progression of steps.

How does rhythm help a composition/design?  It can help deliver a design by controlling the movement of the viewers eye movement and add "life"

What is the principle of contrast? When two two related elements are different.

How can contrast help a design? It can draw the viewer's eye into a piece and help guide them through it.

What is wrong with having too much or too little contrast in a design? Too little can make it seem boring and two much can be confusing.

What is the key to working with contrast? Make sure the differences are obvious.

What are some common ways of creating contrast? Creating differences in size, value, shape, type, texture, alinement, direction, and movement.