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? It effects the expressive content or the message of the work.

What is the principle of repetition? Repeating some aspect throughout the entire document.

Describe ways that the principle of repetition helps the composition/audience? It acts as a visual key that ties your piece together.It controls the reader's eye and helps keep their attention.

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

What should you avoid when working with repetition? Don't repeat too much, then it will be annoying.

What is the principle of proportion/scale? The relative size of various elements.

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? Architecture could use big arches for the viewer to feel dwarfed, or a small house could be comfortable and less intimidating.

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

Which kinds of elements/shapes visually weigh heavier/greater? Size, shape, and tone.

What is another name for symmetrical balance? Formal balance.

Define symmetrical balance? Occurs when weight is evenly distributed around an axis.

What is another name for asymmetrical balance? Informal balance

Define asymmetrical balance? Weight is not evenly distributed around the axis.

What is the principle of emphasis? Stressing a particular arc of focus rather than the maze of details of egual importance.

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 tends to go to first.

How many components of a composition can be a focal point? No more than one.

What ways can emphasis be created in a design? Sudden change in direction, shape, color, texture tone, or line.

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

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

2. Make things similar using similar textures, colors, etc.

3. Direct vision with a line throughout the work.

What is the principle of variety? Differences and diversity.

What ways can a designer add variety to a design? Vary textures, color, and shapes, and alter their intensity.

Why is it important to find the right balance between unity and variety? It could look boring or be stressful to the eye.

What is figure? The shape we pay attention to in a design.

What is another name for figure? Positive space.

What is ground? Surrounding area around a 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? Balance between negative and positive space.

Why must a designer consider the composition as a whole? Balance, only planning the figure could result in off balance.

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

How is rhythm achieved? Through orderly repetition.

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

2. Sequence of shapes through steps.

3. Organic sense of movement.

How does rhythm help a composition/design? Controlling eye movement and add life and interaction.

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

How can contrast help a design? Draw the viewer's eye into the piece then guide the viewer.

What is wrong with having too much or too little contrast in a design? Too much -> monotone.
 Too little ->confusing

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

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