Principles of Design

Guidelines for working with the Elements of Design

Proportion

The relationship of parts of the same object

OR The relationship

between different objects in the same group.

Best proportion is 2:3 Equal proportions are

LESS pleasing to the eye

Proportion

Golden Rectangle---sides in a ration of 2:3. short sides are 2/3 the length of the long sides

Golden Mean---division of a line midway between ½ and 1/3 of its length (wall arrangements, tying draperies, hanging pictures

Golden Section---Division of a line so that the ratio of the smaller to the larger sections is equal to the ratio of the larger sections to the whole

1,2,3,5,8,13,21, …..

Scale

Refers to the relative size of an object in relation to other objects.

When furnishings are scaled to the space they occupy, they are visually pleasing.

Furnishings need to be:

Within a room, furnishings need to be in scale with one another. Large sofa----large coffee table.

Furnishings need to be in scale to the people using them. A large person---substantial size chair

Child needs small table and chairs

Visual Weight

The perception of weight----that an object weighs more or less than it really does.

Upholstered chair appears to weigh more than a wooden chair.

BALANCE

Equilibrium among parts of a design. When there is balance, there is a sense of

equal weight on both sides of a center point. Formal Balance —identical objects are

arranged on both sides of a center point. Also known as symmetrical balance.

Informal Balance---different but equivalent objects are arranged to the sides of a center point. Also known as asymmetrical balance.

SYMMETRICAL BALANCE

This garden is symmetrically balanced.

Right and Left sides of the garden are identical.

Symmetrical balance cont.

ASYMMETRICAL BALANCE

In this garden the right and left sides are not the same.

However, it is visually balanced.

Notice that the large green tree and rocks (L) balance the larger rock formation (R)

Asymmetrical Balance cont.

EMPHASIS

Emphasis creates a center of attention or a focal point in a room

Every well designed room has a focal point.

The eyes are immediately drawn to that point when entering the room.

The focal point should be worthy of attention.

The focal point should dominate the room, but not over power it.

Emphasis cont….

Emphasis cont.

Some common focal points in rooms are: Windows Fireplaces Artwork arrangements Entertainment centers

RHYTHM

Rhythm smoothly leads the eyes from one area to another in a design.

Rhythm results when an element of design forms an organized pattern.

Rhythm is achieved through Repetition Gradation Radiation Opposition Transition

Rhythm -- REPETITION

Created when an element o design---such as color, line, form or texture -- is repeated

Rhythm -- GRADATION

Rhythm created by a gradual increase or decrease in size

Rhythm -- RADIATION

Rhythm formed when lines flow from a central point.

Rhythm --- OPPOSITION

Rhythm is formed as lines meet to form right angles