Question

2.2 principles of design
the principles of design are concepts used to organize or arrange the elements of art. they describe the
that artists use the elements of art in a work of art. the way in which these principles are applied affects
expressive content or the message of the work.
the principles are:
balance
proportion
rhythm
emphasis
unity
pattern
repetition
movement
variety
below are a few examples of principles of design, which are illustrated in works of art from the getty museums
collection. artist use a combination of elements of art (line, value, shape, form, space, texture, color) and principles
of design when they create art.
directions: as you look at these pictures identify at least two (2) elements of art in each artwork.
balance
balance is the distribution of the visual weight of objects, colors, textures, and space. if the design was a scale,
these elements should be balanced to make a design feel stable.
symmetrical balance conveys a sense of stability. in this example, a single
large figure in the center is flanked by a smaller figure on either side. the
shape of the artwork itself is also symmetrical - a vertical line bisecting the
image would create two equal halves that are mirror images of one another.
madonna, saint thomas aquinas, and saint paul, bernardo daddi, about 1330
elements
1.
2.
asymmetrical balance often conveys a sense of movement since the
elements of the composition are unbalanced. in this example, the artist used
organic forms to create a composition that mimics the movement of vines
growing in an unordered fashion around the clock face.
wall clock, french, 1735 - 1740
elements
1.
2.

Explanation:

For the first artwork (Madonna, Saint Thomas Aquinas, and Saint Paul):

• Shape: The figures and the architectural elements (like the arches) have distinct shapes.
• Form: The three - dimensional appearance of the figures (e.g., the way they are depicted with volume) represents the element of form.

For the second artwork (Wall Clock):

• Shape: The organic, vine - like shapes around the clock face.
• Texture: The implied texture of the vines (even though it's a 2D image, the design suggests a textured, growing appearance).

Answer:

First Artwork (Madonna, Saint Thomas Aquinas, and Saint Paul):

1. Shape
2. Form

Second Artwork (Wall Clock):

1. Shape
2. Texture