Principles of Design

Ms. Prinkey

Proportion

• Defined as – the way one part of a design relates in size to another part and the whole design.

• EX: Wooden chairs with thick legs would be in proportion to a bulky oak table.

• Designers know that certain shapes are more pleasing than others because of their proportions.

Cathedrals were built disproportionate and largely over scaled.

Scale

• Scale refers to the overall size of an object compared with other objects, especially humans.

• Difference between proportion and scale, proportion relates to itself and to the whole design, whereas scale is the object compared to other objects.

Scale - For example:

• A lamp may be well proportioned, with a pleasing ratio of shade to base. To be in scale with a room, however, it must also be an appropriate size in relation to the other furnishings.

• A small lamp may be the right scale for a medium-sized nightstand but out of scale if placed on a large table.

Balance• Gives the feeling of equal weight to

objects on both sides of a design’s center point.

• Symmetrical balance (formal balance) is achieved when objects on one side of an imaginary center line are the mirror image of those to the other side.

• Asymmetrical balance (informal) – objects on each side are unmatched BUT appear balanced.

Emphasis

• Emphasis or focal point, is the point of greatest interest in a room or a living area.

• Can be, for example, one large framed painting or a collection of smaller items.

Unity

• Feeling that all parts of a design belong together.

• Everything does not have to match for unity to be achieved! Some variety is needed to create interest.

Rhythm

• Feeling of movement, leading the eye from one point to another.

• A specific color repeated at various points in a room creates a sense of rhythm.

Examples

• Example of scale: chandeliers are built large to fit the size of the ceiling.

• Arches and curved lines show movement in the design of this building

• Architects often make a smaller “to scale” building to test how the actual project will look.

The small couch with the plant behind it gives a visual balance to a room

The curved lines of the couch and table help the eye move around the room.

Two smaller chairs help to balance the long couch.

The large picture grouped with the smaller plates help to make a focal point.

Smaller pictures above the couch help to create the focal point in this room.

This console with the TV creates a huge focal point.

The backboard to this bed creates a focal point. The repetition of the leaves helps to

create interest.