Podcast #3 Elements of Design

Define principles of design?
Concepts used to arrange the structural elements of a composition.
What do the principles of design affect?
The message of the work
What is the principle of repetition?
Repeating some aspect or element throughout the entire document
Describe ways that the principle of repetition helps the composition/audience?
Ties the piece together; controls reader's eye and keeps their attention
What are ways that you can incorporate repetition into your designs?
using bold font, thick lines, color etc
What should you avoid when working with repetition?
Don't repeat so much that it becomes annoying
What is the principle of proportion/scale?
the relative size and scale of various elements in a design
What is the most universal standard of measure when judging size?
Human body
How can the principle of proportion/scale be used as an attention getter?
unusual scale
What is the principle of balance?
distribution of heavy and light elements on the same page
Which kinds of elements/shapes visually weigh heavier/greater?
Irregular shapes
What is another name for symmetrical balance?
Formal balance
Define symmetrical balance?
occurs when 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?
occurs when the eight of a composition is not evenly distributed around the axis
What is the principle of emphasis?
stressing a particular area of focus
What happens to a design that has no focus?
nothing stands out
What is a focal point and how is it created?
Area where the eye goes first; making one point more important than the other elements or points
How many components of a composition can be a focal point?
one
What ways can emphasis be created in a design?
contrasting with a primary element with three subordinate elements
What is the principle of unity?
the wholeness of composition
What three ways can unity be obtained?
1. Putting objects close to each other

2. Make things similar

3. Direct vision with a line that moves around the composition

What is the principle of variety?
Pertains to differences and diversity it's what makes it interesting
What ways can a designer add variety to a design?
Using color and shapes, difference of sizes etc
Why is it important to find the right balance between unity and variety?
Because if you have too much unity it can look boring and with too much variety it can look chaotic
What is figure?
A form or silhouette
What is another name for figure?
Positive space
What is ground?
Surrounding area of 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 abstract relationships of visual elements; meaning to take it as a whole
Why must a designer consider the composition as a whole?
so they can understand the principles of unity, and variety
What is the principle of rhythm?
organized movement in time and space
How is rhythm achieved?
orderly repetition of any element
What three ways can rhythm occur in a design?
1. when elements are the same size/length

2. sense of movement

3. with a sequence of shapes or progression of steps

How does rhythm help a composition/design?
By controlling the viewer's eye movement
What is the principle of contrast?
occurs when two related elements are different
How can contrast help a design?
can draw the viewer's eye into the piece
What is wrong with having too much or too little contrast in a design?
too much is confusing too little is monotone and boring
What is the key to working with contrast?
to make sure the differences are obvious
What are some common ways of creating contrast?
Colors, size, value, type, texture, shape, alignment etc