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PRINCIPLES OF DESIGN
BALANCEDIRECTIONAL FORCES
EMPHASIS/FOCAL POINT & SUBORDINATION
CONTRASTPROPORTION & SCALERHYTHM & MOVEMENT
UNITY / VARIETY
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BALANCE DESIGN PRINCIPLE OF
BALANCEthe play of the Art Elements that creates a sense of
stability within the artwork. It is the achievement of equilibrium, a condition in which active influences are held in check by opposing forces.
Kinds of Visual Balance:
Symmetry: (Formal Balance) Dividing the art, usually vertically, and having the same thing on both sides.
Radial Balance is also symmetrical. Here the design is centered with its Elements radiating outward.
Asymmetry: (Informal Balance) The balance of various elements around a felt or implied center of gravity.
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EXAMPLES OF BALANCEDiscuss the BALANCE displayed in these art works.
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Taj Mahal, Agra, India 1632-1648
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EXAMPLES OF BALANCEIN ANCIENT ART
Discuss the BALANCE used in these 2 artworks.
Hercules Strangling the Serpents, Pompeii, CE 63-79The Transfiguration, St. Catherine, Egypt, c. 560
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PRINCIPLES OF DESIGN
BALANCEDIRECTIONAL FORCES
EMPHASIS/FOCAL POINT & SUBORDINATION
CONTRASTPROPORTION & SCALERHYTHM & MOVEMENT
UNITY / VARIETY
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Discuss the directional forces in these 2 religious structures.
Stupa, Sanchi, India, 3rd c. BCE
Chartres Cathedral, France, c. 1170 CE
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EXAMPLES OF THE USE OF
DIRECTIONAL FORCES IN ANCIENT ART
Laocoon, Roman, 1CE Hercules, Pompeii, 63-79 CE
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PRINCIPLES OF DESIGN
BALANCEDIRECTIONAL FORCES
CONTRASTEMPHASIS/FOCAL POINT &
SUBORDINATIONPROPORTION & SCALERHYTHM & MOVEMENT
UNITY / VARIETY
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The Design Principle ofCONTRAST
Contrast is the juxtaposition of strongly dissimilar elements. (i.e. dark/light)
This design relies on the CONTRAST of what Art Element, in particular, in its design?
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The Design Principle ofCONTRAST
Discuss the CONTRASTS within and between these 2 artworks.• Augustus of Prima Porta, Rome, marble, 1 CE
• Court of Justinian, Ravenna, It, mosaic, c. 547
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PRINCIPLES OF DESIGN
BALANCEDIRECTIONAL FORCES
CONTRASTEMPHASIS/FOCAL POINT &
SUBORDINATIONPROPORTION & SCALERHYTHM & MOVEMENT
UNITY / VARIETY
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THE DESIGN PRINCIPLE OFEMPHASIS, or
FOCAL POINT & SUBORDINATION
This Principle helps you answer the question:
• How does the artist bring the viewer's attention to the most important area of the composition (its center of interest) ?
• What and where is the FOCAL POINT?
• This may be accomplished by various means:– something in the work actually pointing to the focal point
– the focal area being much lighter or darker than the rest of the work
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In each artwork below there is an emphasis on ONE of the figures.How is our attention directed to him? What elements are used?
What is subordinated?
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EXAMPLES OF THE PRINCIPLE OF FOCAL POINT & SUBORDINATION
Ste.-Foy Church, Fr.Bayeux Tapestry, detail
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PRINCIPLES OF DESIGN
BALANCEDIRECTIONAL FORCES
CONTRASTEMPHASIS/FOCAL POINT &
SUBORDINATIONPROPORTION & SCALERHYTHM & MOVEMENT
UNITY / VARIETY
. -
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THE DESIGN PRINCIPLE OF
PROPORTION & SCALE • Proportion has to do
with size relationships between parts of the whole.
• Scale is size in relation to a "normal" concept, to what is surrounding it, its context.
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PROPORTION•Proportion has to do with size relationships between parts to the whole.•Does the largest figure (Nebamun) seem fairly “well-proportioned” in comparison to a normal human being?•Consider the size of his arms & legs as they relate to his whole body.
Here Nebamun is shown much larger than
his wife and daughter. This is “hierarchical” proportion and signifies his importance.
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PROPORTION continued
• Many artists use the correct proportions to depict realistic works, while other artists exaggerate and distort to express moods and
experiences. • Nefertiti, Egypt, 1300s BCE
• Sumerian Statuettes,2600 BCE
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PROPORTIONS•Consider the bodily proportions of the children in these artworks. What aspect of the body makes a figure look more like a young child?
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• Scale is size in relation to something else: what is surrounding it, its context.
• Scale refers to the size relationship between an object and a standard reference, such as the human body.
• The scale of an object can range from minute to monumental,… or scale of an object within a design can be correct or exaggerated depending on the intention of the artist.
• Why is St.Louis bigger than the person kneeling below him? What role do you think the worshiper plays in this artwork?
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PRINCIPLES OF DESIGN
BALANCEDIRECTIONAL FORCES
CONTRASTEMPHASIS/FOCAL POINT &
SUBORDINATIONPROPORTION & SCALERHYTHM & MOVEMENT
UNITY / VARIETY
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THE DESIGN PRINCIPLE OF
RHYTHM & MOVEMENT• Rhythm is usually
created by repetition of one or more of the Art Elements.
• Visual movement
is implied through emphasizing direction.
.
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Another beautiful example of visual rhythm.
What Art elements are creating rhythm here?
Great Mosque, Cordoba, Spain,c.787
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WHERE DO YOU SEE RHYTHM AND A SENSE OF MOVEMENT IN THIS ARTWORK?
Temple of Quetzalcoatl, Teotihuacan, Mexico, c. 300 CE
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PRINCIPLES OF DESIGN
BALANCEDIRECTIONAL FORCES
CONTRASTEMPHASIS/FOCAL POINT &
SUBORDINATIONPROPORTION & SCALERHYTHM & MOVEMENT
UNITY / VARIETY
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THE DESIGN PRINCIPLE OF
UNITY AND VARIETY
• Unity is the sense of oneness, the coherent whole of a work.
• Variety refers to differences within the whole which provide interest.
Unity and variety form a spectrum between blandness and disorder. Too much sameness or repetition can lead to a boring artwork, too
much variety may appear disordered or chaotic.
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Do you sense UNITY in these photos?Which has more VARIETY?
Great Mosque, Cordoba, Spain,c.787
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What creates VARIETY in this cathedral? How is the whole UNIFIED?
St. Basil’s Cathedral, Moscow, 1555
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REVIEW:
PRINCIPLES OF DESIGNBALANCE
DIRECTIONAL FORCESCONTRAST
EMPHASIS/FOCAL POINT & SUBORDINATIONPROPORTION & SCALERHYTHM & MOVEMENT
UNITY / VARIETY