Kaitlyn Corrus

Activity 1.1.2 Design Principles and Elements

Introduction
Have you ever noticed how buildings of similar size and shape can
have completely different visual effects? Architects, like artists, must
understand the elements and principles of design and how they
affect the visual impact of the building on a viewer. Whether it is the
intent of the architect to create a feeling of strength and stability or to
create an unusual form that will elicit a double-take from the public,
the elements and principles of design can be used to manipulate the
intellectual and emotional reactions of the people who see and use
the building.

Equipment

Principles and Elements of Design Applied to Architecture

presentation notes

Procedure
In this activity you will identify design elements and principles as they pertain to images of
structures.
For each of the following, choose one element of design and one principle of design that you feel
is most prominent in the image and then justify your choice.
Word Bank
Balance
Color
Emphasis

Form
Line
Proportion/Scale

Rhythm
Shape
Space

Texture
Unity
Value

1. Principle of Design
Texture
___________________
Justification:
The building is made up of
different sizes and materials giving
off the effect of textures
___________________
Element of Design
Unity
____________________
Justification:
The window area are the same giving
off the appearance of unity
___________________
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CEA Unit 1 Lesson 1.1 Activity 1.1.2 Design Principles and Elements Page 1

2. Principle of Design
Rhythm
___________________
Justification:
The different shapes and designs on
the building give it a sense of
movement
___________________

Element of Design
Form
____________________
Justification:
The building has a dome on the top
of the building giving it the
appearance of a different shape than
just the basic box
___________________
3. Principle of Design
shape
___________________
Justification:
The lighthouse on the side give it a
more cylindrical appearance
___________________

Element of Design
Color
____________________
Justification:
There are multiple colors to the
building
___________________
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CEA Unit 1 Lesson 1.1 Activity 1.1.2 Design Principles and Elements Page 2

Istockphoto.com
4.
Principle of Design
Rhythm
___________________

Justification:
The building was built on a slant
giving it the appearance that it is
falling over
___________________
Element of Design
space
____________________
Justification:
It takes up a lot of space being on the
slant like that because it takes up
more room to the side
___________________

City Hall and London Bridge

5. Principle of Design
unity
___________________
Justification:
Many lines and shapes were used to
create the full picture
___________________
Element of Design
Color
____________________
Justification:
The design has many different colors
added in to make it appealing to
anyone seeing it
___________________

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CEA Unit 1 Lesson 1.1 Activity 1.1.2 Design Principles and Elements Page 3

6. Principle of Design
Rhythm
___________________
Justification:
With the different pieces hanging off
the building it gives it a sense of
movement
___________________
Element of Design
Shape
____________________
Istockphoto.com

Justification:
The building is different shapes like
triangles and rectangles
___________________
7. Principle of Design
Emphasis
___________________
Justification:
The color gives emphasis to certain
parts of the yard like the trees and
Istockphoto.com
grass
___________________
Element of Design
Color
____________________
Justification:
The house has many different colors
making up the front yard to be more
appealing
___________________

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Copyright 2010
CEA Unit 1 Lesson 1.1 Activity 1.1.2 Design Principles and Elements Page 4

8. Principle of Design
Proportion/ scale
___________________
Justification:
Each of the sections cut out are
basically the same size and shape
___________________
Microsoft Office clipart

Element of Design
value
____________________
Justification:
Roman aqueduct
All of the bricks are not the same color
giving it more value
___________________
9. Principle of Design
Balance
___________________
Justification:
The architect used balance to center the
pillars to have a more even look

___________________
Element of Design
Line
____________________
Justification:
The building has examples of line like
curve and zig zags to catch the viewers
eye

___________________

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Copyright 2010
CEA Unit 1 Lesson 1.1 Activity 1.1.2 Design Principles and Elements Page 5

10. Principle of Design

Emphasis
___________________
Justification:
The color was used to emphasize
the different houses
___________________
Element of Design
color
____________________
Justification:
All of the houses are done in a
different color to attract the
pedestrians eye
___________________

Conclusion
1. In what way do certain elements or principles identify the time period in which a structure was
created?
Color would be a big one in older periods, more color was used brighter colors now a days everything
is mostly mute like blacks and grey. Rhythm can mainly be identified as something from today
because in older times things were made to be efficient now a days architects are getting a bit more
creative with the way things are being built

2. What factors might account for an incorrect identification?

Every architect sees things different. To one person, rhythm may be better by making weird lines
while another may say creating crooked building creates better rhythm,
3. Describe an example of a way that design principles and elements could impact the function of
a building.
if a building was designed in a way that it was crooked or tilted the structure may not be strong
enough to hold the weight and it could crumple.

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CEA Unit 1 Lesson 1.1 Activity 1.1.2 Design Principles and Elements Page 6