NAME OF TEACHER: Prof.
Zeba Nisar
MOB. NO. 9532669866
E MAIL ID: [email protected]
DESIGNATION: Professor & Dean
UNIVERSITY NAME/COLLEGE NAME: Integral University, Lucknow
STREAM NAME: Architecture
FACULTY NAME: Faculty of Architecture, Planning and Design
DEPARTMENT NAME: Department of Architecture
SUBJECT NAME: Architectural Design/ Basic Design
COURSE: B.Arch & B.Des
COURSE DURATION: 5 and 4 years
SUBTOPIC NAME: Principles of Design
CONTENT TYPE: PPT
SEARCH KEYWORD: Point, Design
PRINCIPLES OF DESIGN
Prof. Zeba Nisar
Professor and Dean,
Faculty of Architecture, Planning and Design,
Integral University, Lucknow
Foundations for Interior
and
Product Design
What Are Principles of Design?
The guiding concepts that organize and unify the elements of
design to create harmonious, balanced, and visually appealing
compositions.
Enhances functionality and aesthetics.
Improves usability and user experience.
Creates emotional and psychological impact.
Design with proportion and balance Asymmetrical balance Radial Symmetry Achieve Balance with Color
Principles of Design are foundational guidelines for creating visually effective compositions
Key Principles of Design
1. Balance:
The distribution of visual weight in a composition to create stability.
(ensures a room feels harmoniously arranged and visually pleasing.)
It is achieved when the elements of a room, such as furniture, color, and texture, are distributed in a way that creates a sense of equilibrium. Balance can
make a room feel more comfortable, inviting, and stable, enhancing the overall aesthetic and functionality of the space.
Symmetrical (formal balance): Equal visual weight on both sides.
In symmetrical images, the eye is also
drawn towards the point of mirroring,
usually in the center of the image.
Key Principles of Design
1. Balance:
Asymmetrical (informal balance): Unequal but visually balanced.
Key Principles of Design
1. Balance:
Radial: Elements radiate from a central point.
Key Principles of Design
1. Balance:
Crystallographic Balance: achieved by giving equal weight to a large number of elements.
.
Unlike symmetry, the result is not a perfectly even pattern. Instead, it’s a type of balanced chaos in which several different
elements combine to make a whole. Consequently, because there’s no single focal point, the viewer is tricked into accepting the
image as a balanced whole.
Key Principles of Design
2. Contrast:
The arrangement of opposite elements (light vs. dark, rough vs. smooth) to
create visual interest or highlight differences. (To create a cohesive overall effect)
The trick is to play with materials, forms, colours and styles by adhering to the principle of opposites
attracting, without compromising on a sense of balance and oneness. The three main elements we
can play with are: Colours, Materials, Forms.
Key Principles of Design
3. Emphasis:
Creating a focal point to draw attention to the most important part of a design.
(purposeful development of prominent characteristics within a room to grab attention and establish a visual hierarchy)
In gross, emphasis contributes to the overall
aesthetic by providing structure and
cohesion, making each room feel
intentional and thoughtfully designed.
Emphasis through Artwork Emphasis through Furniture Arrangement Accent Walls for Emphasis Pendant for Emphasis
Key Principles of Design
4. Rhythm:
The repetition or alternation of elements to create movement
and flow in a design.
(rhythm plays a pivotal role in creating a harmonious and balanced environment. Just like in music, where rhythm dictates the flow of a song)
The 5 rules to remember
1. Repetition is key 2. Contrast 3. Gradation
Contrast adds depth and visual the gradual change in size, color, or 4. Transition 5. Radiation
to establish a sense of cohesion creates a smooth flow and visual involves arranging features around
and uniformity, which is important intrigue, making spaces more texture, creating a visual rhythm continuity between different areas a central point, creating balance
when creating rhythm. vibrant and dynamic. that guides the eye. of a room. and visual interest.
Key Principles of Design
5. Proportion :
Proportion refers to the relationship between the size of different
Elements. It is more about relationships. Specifically, it’s the relationship
between the sizes of different items within the same space.
The shape and size of the furniture ought to match with the size and shape of the room.
Finding furniture that suitably fits the space Colour Proportion Light Proportion
The size and shape of how different items fit together.
Key Principles of Design
6. Scale :
Scale relates to the size of an element in comparison to the overall
composition. Scale is all about size. It refers to how large or small an object is
within a space compared to other items.
Furniture and Ceiling Design Scale of Light as focal point Scale of Furniture as focal point Monumental Scale
The relationship between an item and the overall size of the room.
Key Principles of Design
7. Unity :
Unity is about creating a space that feels connected, where every element —
from the color palette to the furniture arrangement — works together to form a
cohesive whole..
Unity in interior design is achieved by applying a set of principles- Repetition, Balance and Rhythm
Unity through Colour Scheme Furniture design Furniture and decoration layout
The size and shape of how different items fit together.
Key Principles of Design
8. Harmony :
Harmony ensures that all elements work together to
create a cohesive composition.
Achieving harmony in design demands thoughtful consideration of core concepts
and a nuanced understanding of complementary and contrasting elements.
Everything Works Together Color Theme
The size and shape of how different items fit together.
Design Guidelines or Rules/
Compositional Tool/
Organizational Technique/
Psychological Tool
They are not standalone principle like balance or proportion, they are
practical tool used to implement these principles effectively. They
serves as a bridge between theory and application, making designs
more visually appealing and naturally engaging.
Principles of Composition Using Grids
Using grids as a compositional tool is not traditionally classified as
one of the core principles of design, but it is a structural guideline or
organizational technique that helps designers apply principles like
balance, proportion, alignment, and unity effectively. Grids provide
a framework for arranging visual elements in a way that enhances
clarity, consistency, and aesthetics.
The Grid
Grids are a system of horizontal and vertical lines that divide a
design into sections, helping organize content and align elements
for a cohesive and harmonious layout.
Grids are the underlying structures that provide support and flexibility for designs, just like
the skeletal structure in the human body.
Grid Layout Manuscript Grids Column Grid Modular Grid
Usually serves for arranging text on a The column grid consists of columns Intersecting columns, rows, and
page. Large margins create asymmetry, and gutters. such grids allow for the alleys form a matrix of cells
which creates visual interest. creation of well-balanced, modules. Modular grids give more
harmonious compositions. control over both alignment and
composition.
The Grid
Hierarchical Grid Integrated Grid Unexpected Grid
These grids rely on agreements inside a design An integrated grid is a combination of two You can break the rules of the grid and
team that dictate the alignment of various grid types. For example, one can exist for create something more adventurous.
elements.. media content and another — for
typography.
Pixel Grid Baseline Grid
GRID has been
around the world
during the years, for
instance...
The Rule of Thirds
The Rule of Thirds is not traditionally classified as one of
the core principles of design, but it is a widely used
design guideline or compositional tool that helps
designers apply principles such as balance, emphasis,
and unity in a more visually engaging way.
The Rule of Thirds
The Rule of Thirds divides a composition into nine equal parts using
two horizontal and two vertical lines, creating intersections where
key visual elements are positioned to enhance balance and focus.
How to Apply the
Rule of Thirds?
Gestalt Theory
Gestalt theory is not traditionally categorized as one of
the core principles of design, but it is closely related
and often used as a complementary framework for
understanding and applying visual design principles.
While the principles of design (e.g., balance, contrast,
emphasis, rhythm, proportion, unity, etc.) are
foundational guidelines for creating visually effective
compositions, Gestalt theory provides psychological
insights into how humans perceive and organize visual
information.
Gestalt Theory
Gestalt theory is a psychological approach that explains how the human brain interprets and organizes
visual elements as unified wholes, rather than perceiving them as separate parts.
Gestalt Principles of Visual Perception
Proximity: Elements that are close together are perceived as a group.
Similarity: Elements that share similar attributes (e.g., color, shape, size) are seen as related.
Continuity: The eye follows lines, curves, or paths in a composition.
Closure: The mind fills in missing information to perceive complete shapes.
Figure-Ground: The brain distinguishes between the main subject (figure) and the background
(ground).
Thank You!
