ICT 112: Drawing Concepts and Strategies
Module 1
Week 2 | 1st Semester, S.Y. 2021-2022
Introduction
As you watch videos, read magazines, articles, books, and other resources
containing arts and designs, a lot those include design principles which are
C commonly enumerated with only 6, or 8, or 10. Of course, we don’t argue with what
they have observed or seen in an artwork.
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We will talk and discuss this time the 12 Principles of Design according to some
authors who expounded the common principles of design in the past. Beginning first
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6 common principles of design, followed by another /additional principles. These
are: unity, balance, pattern, emphasis, rhythm, proportion, repetition, contrast,
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scale, movement, variety, and white space.
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Intended Learning Outcomes
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● Explain the concept of each principle
● Tell what principle/s applied in each picture
● Draw designs or artworks using pencil applying the principles of
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D Principles of Design
U Principles of Design The principles of design describe the ways that artists
L use the elements of art in a work of art. (Paul Getty)
E We gathered the principles of design and these are the following:
Unity is the feeling of harmony between all parts of the work of art, which
creates a sense of completeness. (Paul Getty)
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Balance is the distribution of the visual weight of objects, colors, texture, and
space. If the design was a scale, these elements should be balanced to make
R a design feel stable. In symmetrical balance, the elements used on one side
of the design are similar to those on the other side; in asymmetrical balance,
S the sides are different but still look balanced. In radial balance, the elements
are arranged around a central point and may be similar. (Paul Getty)
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Symmetrical balance
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Asymmetrical balance
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S Radial symmetry
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Pattern is the repeating of an object or symbol all over the work of art.
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M Emphasis is the part of the design that catches the viewer’s attention. Usually
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the artist will make one area stand out by contrasting it with other areas. The
area could be different in size, color, texture, shape, etc. (Paul Getty)
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Rhythm is created when one or more elements of design are used repeatedly
to create a feeling of organized movement. Rhythm creates a mood like music
or dancing. To keep rhythm exciting and active, variety is essential. (Paul
Getty)
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M Proportion is the feeling of unity created when all parts (sizes, amounts, or
number) relate well with each other. When drawing the human figure,
O proportion can refer to the size of the head compared to the rest of the body.
(Paul Getty)
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The human figure is scaled to appear larger than the city skyline. The
proportions could indicate depth of perspective or could symbolize the
L relationship of laborers in building a city. (Cindy Ingram)
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Repetition works with pattern to make the work of art seem active. The
repetition of elements of design creates unity within the work of art. (Paul
Getty)
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Variety is the use of several elements of design to hold the viewer’s attention
E and to guide the viewer’s eye through and around the work of art. (Paul Getty)
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Movement is the path the viewer’s eye takes through the work of art, often to
focal areas. Such movement can be directed along lines, edges, shape, and
color within the work of art. (Paul Getty)
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Contrast is the juxtaposition of opposing elements eg. opposite colours on
the colour wheel - red / green, blue / orange etc. Contrast in tone or value -
M light / dark. Contrast in direction - horizontal / vertical.
The major contrast in a painting should be located at the center of interest.
O Too much contrast scattered throughout a painting can destroy unity and
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make a work difficult to look at. Unless a feeling of chaos and confusion are
what you are seeking, it is a good idea to carefully consider where to place
U your areas of maximum contrast. (John Lovett)
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White space - White space—also referred to as “negative space”— is the
areas of a design that do not include any design elements. The space is,
effectively, empty.
Many beginning designers feel the need to pack every pixel with some type of
“design” and overlook the value of white space. But white space serves many
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important purposes in a design, foremost being giving elements of the design
room to breathe. Negative space can also help highlight specific content or
O specific parts of a design.
It can also make elements of a design easier to discern. This is why
U typography is more legible when upper and lowercase letters are used since
negative space is more varied around lowercase letters, which allows people
R to interpret them more quickly. (Cameron Chapman)
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Hierarchy - Hierarchy is the control of visual information in an arrangement
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presentation to imply importance. Hierarchy influences the order in which the
human eye perceives what it sees. (Gareth David)
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D SUMMARY
U As many as possible, the principles of design can be observed/applied to any artwork.
In one artwork, it may contain one or more principle/s. These principles can be
L debatable depending on the artist’s view or how the artist interpret the art. As long as
the artist/viewer can explain/defend his/her interpretation, respect will play the rule.
E The most important is that the artwork should have at least one guiding principle to
qualify for the best art design.
References
● https://www.toptal.com/designers/ui/principles-of-design
● https://www.getty.edu/education/teachers/buildinglessons/principlesdesign.p
df
● https://www.johnlovett.com/design-overview
● https://254-online.com/hierarchy-principle-of-design/
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