Principles of Design
Rasheeda Mabry
3rd Period
BALANCE
• distribution of equal visual weight
• Example- Evenly divided- cutting a cake in even pieces
• Having the same flow or idea through out the piece and making it
proportional to the same side
ALIGNMENT
• an arrangement forming a straight line
• Example- Centered, flush left
• Helps create and organize elements, also it helps group elements that will
create structure, and finally create a sharp and clear thought or product
EMPHASIS
• an accentuation if importance
• Example- color, shape
• Emphasis is used to draw in the center focus
having a center focus tells the audience what they
need to pay attention to it
PATTERN
• an orderly repetition of an object
• Example- The same objects being repeated in a specific order
• Patterns add a since of style it shows everything is nice and neat some can be
a seamless pattern that just flows or a color pattern having a pattern can also
be used as navigation tools.
CONTRAST
• a juxtaposition that accentuates difference
• Example- light and dark
• Contrast plays a vital part in design by having contrast you are showing
different light sources, where its not to colorful or to depressing
UNITY
• A harmonious arrangement of elements
• Example- a group of elements all aligned commonly
• Unity is an very important principle of design helps the artist give their art
work a more cohesion or coherence look..
• Unity is also used to tie in the pieces together
to make it one whole piece