Republic of the Philippines

UNIVERSITY OF EASTERN PHILIPPINES

University Town, Northern Samar

GE 6: ARTS APPRECIATION

PAJARES, GESELLE R., LPT

CAC, Part Time Lecturer

NAME OF STUDENT: ________________________________________________________

COURSE & YEAR: ___________________________________________________________
PROFESSOR: ________________________________________________________________
 MODULE 7: Principles of Design Organization

TABLE OF CONTENTS
UNIT 4: Principles of Design Organization......................................................................... 3
Introduction................................................................................................................................. 3
Learning Outcomes.................................................................................................................... 3
Module 7: Principles of Design Organization..................................................................... 4

1. BALANCE............................................................................................................................... 4
1.1 Symmetrical Balance............................................................................................... 4
1.2 Asymmetrical Balance............................................................................................ 5
1.3 Radial Balance.......................................................................................................... 5

2. RHYTHM & MOVEMENT.................................................................................................. 6

2.1 One-beat Rhythm …………………………………………..…………….…..…... 6
2.2 Alternating Rhythm …………………………………….………………..………. 6
2.3 Progressive Rhythm ……………………………………..………………………. 6
2.4 Flowing Rhythm …………………………………………………………………. 7
3. PROPORTION……………………………………………………………………….…….. 7
4. EMPHASIS............................................................................................................................. 8
4.1 Dominance................................................................................................................. 8
4.2 Focal Point (Center of Interest).............................................................................. 8
5. PATTERN................................................................................................................................ 8
6. UNITY AND VARIETY........................................................................................................ 11
Learning Exercise #7.1 …………………………………………………………………..…… 12
Learning Exercise #7.2 …………………………………………………………………..…… 13

Rubrics ……………………………………………………………………………………......... 14
Summary ……………………………………………………………………………………..... 15
References …………………………………………………………………………………....... 16

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 MODULE 7: Principles of Design Organization

7 : PRINCIPLES OF DESIGN
ORGANIZATION

INTRODUCTION

Hi! How was your exam? I hope you did a great job.
If you thought otherwise, it’s okay.
You can do better this time.

Today, we are now on Module 7!

This is our first lesson for Finals! Yehey!
Are you ready?
Okay, let us get started!

In this module, we will be discussing about what is principles of design and its six
principles. Here, we will ascertain how important these principles are in a creating artwork
and how it is employed. We will also be able to distinguish how these principles are
achieved. With the help of examples, you can understand each principles.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

At the end of this lesson, you should be able to:

 Define principles of design;

 Identify the six principles of design;
 Explain the importance of the principles of design in creating artworks; and,
 Analyze how the principles of design are employed in an artwork.

Now, let us properly begin our discussion on Principles of Design!

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 MODULE 7: Principles of Design Organization

Module 7: PRINCIPLES OF DESIGN ORGANIZATION

The Principles of Design are not absolute laws that govern a single interpretation or
application in a work of art. These principles are means in the course of looking and
appreciating a work of art. To the artist, it may aid him/her in searching for pictorial
solutions. They are not ends in themselves for these principles do not guarantee the best
results. Artworks are generated as personal interpretation and should be evaluated as a
whole visual expression.

FACTS:
One or the other, an artist has been inspired by his physical environment or nature.
He has wondered on the physical make-up of his surrounding, and because of this
encounter, he devised a visual idiom on natures structure and form.
Currently, the design concepts roots from Arthur Wesley Dow, whose artistic
investigation and teachings identify the principles of design. These principles are guides for
organizing visual qualities likewise understanding how the artwork is planned.
Over the span of years, Dow’s list of principles has evolved. At present, the
principles that are taken into discussions and appreciation are balance, rhythm, movement,
proportion, pattern, unity, and variety.
The logic behind the principle of design fits in the concept of aiming to balance of
work and play, rest and activity (Chapman, 1992:34).

1. BALANCE
 Balance or visual balance is one among the many principles of design.
 A feeling of equality in weight, attention, or attraction of the various elements within
the pictorial field as a means of accomplishing organic unity.

The particular principle is categorized into three:

1.1 Symmetrical (formal balance),

 Known as formal balance.

 The two equal parts of the
pictorial plane of an artwork
stand like mirror images of each
other.
 The likeness is so exact that
each half is seen equal.

1.2. Asymmetrical (informal or occult balance)

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 MODULE 7: Principles of Design Organization

 Compared like a traditional weighing

scale, where both weighing planes have
to carry similar weight regardless of the
size of the objects.

 Here, the perception or feeling of

balance comes from the significance or
“weight’ of the things from each end.

 Consider an artwork where at one side

is painted with brilliant color while at
the opposite side, dull pigments are
thickly dubbed, creating rough textures.
Thus, the principle is often employed to
emphasized informality, variety, and
action.

1.3. Radial balance

 Often symmetrical.
 Parts or patterns of the design seem to move outward from the center.

2. RHYTHM & MOVEMENT

 Similar with music of the auditory arts, visual arts also manifests rhythm.

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 MODULE 7: Principles of Design Organization

 Rhythm is demonstrated through repeating elements in consistent manner or

order.

2.1 One- beat Rhythm

 Oblongs repeatedly drawn
from one another in similar
size with various warm
colors on an oversized
ground (mural ground)
exemplifies rhythm in a
simple way

2.2 Alternating Rhythm

 Two geometric shapes
painted or drawn on
alternating manner manifest
alternating rhythm, like a
series of square-triangle
alternating each other in
different size and position.

2.3 Progressive Rhythm

 The repeated element is manifested in a consistent change.
 Size can be a good example wherein a series of stars slightly larger than the
other is shown.

2.4 Flowing Rhythm

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 MODULE 7: Principles of Design Organization

 It is a composition of repeated element in a graceful movement.

 The manner of changes still include the sense of consistency but distinct on its
gradual movement, like a flowing liquid above different strength of currents.

 Thus, there is the presence of complicated patters with combination of unexpected

element.

3. PROPORTION

 The relationships of parts to a whole and the whole to the parts.

 The human face or human hand commonly becomes the gauge when it comes
to sensing proportion in visual art.

 Often, it is identified as normal and expected. Sometimes, it is exaggerated and

distorted At times, is idealized, faultless compared to nature.

 Golden section or golden

mean is a formula which
means that the smaller part
must relate to the larger part
and so on, until the later larger
part relates to the whole.

 In art, artist change the usual

measurement (sixe), scale or
proportion of a subject or
object to simply exhibit its
significance.

4. EMPHASIS

 A principle employed by artists in managing the noticeable part of the work.

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 MODULE 7: Principles of Design Organization

 This principle is achieved in two methods such as dominance and focal point

4.1 Dominance

 It is a manner of creating one element in an artwork as the strongest or most

important part.

 This point is achieved through size, shape, color, brush strokes, or combination of
the sorts.

4.2
Focal Point (Center of Interest)

 Isolation is the process that makes the element stand out from the pictorial field.

 It could employ size, position on the pictorial field, contrast and movement.

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 MODULE 7: Principles of Design Organization

 Elements that are in repeatedly used like line, color, shape and texture creates
pattern.

 A checkered polo shirt of cloth is a familiar example of patterns of lines.

 Here, each line is part of the pattern.

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 MODULE 7: Principles of Design Organization

 Patterns in two-dimensional work of art are observed through the repeated usage of
motif.

 Motif is a complete unit in a larger design.

 It may be a simple plant-like object or a geometric shape usually seen in fabric

pattern.

 This is a combination of elements which is repeated often enough in a composition to

make it the dominating feature of the artist’s expression.

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 MODULE 7: Principles of Design Organization

6. UNITY AND VARIETY

 The sense or feeling that everything fits together.

 It is a sense of harmony or oneness.

Methods:

 Repetition of elements
like shape, color, line, etc.

 Simplicity:
a single major color or type of shape

 Harmony:
an approach where the visual elements are related and may include medium

 Theme and variation:

An artwork works around one major element (ex. A round shape in appropriate
sizes)

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 MODULE 7: Principles of Design Organization

LET’S TAKE A BREAK!

LEARNING EXERCISE 7.1

Are you ready to test what you have learned? It’s simple. Just provide the answers on
each activity below. Discuss clearly your answers.

LET’S DO THIS!

1. Why are principles of design important in an artwork? You can provide an example to
show the importance of using principles of design.

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2. In an artwork, can we only use several principles of design? Or is it necessary to use all
of them? Elaborate.

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 MODULE 7: Principles of Design Organization

LET’S TAKE A BREAK!

LEARNING EXERCISE 7.2

Are you ready to test what you have learned? It’s simple. Discuss clearly your answers.
LET’S DO THIS!

Identify what principles of design is utilized in the artwork/image below and

discuss the reason/s. Elaborate your answer with a maximum of 10 sentences

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 MODULE 7: Principles of Design Organization

Rubrics for Essay Learning Exercises:

CRITERIA 4 3 2 1
Information is Information is Information is The information
very organized in slightly organized but appears to be
a well- organized in a paragraph(s) are disorganized.
Organization
constructed well-constructed not well-
paragraph or paragraph or constructed.
paragraphs. paragraphs.
Information Information Information Information has
relates to the relates to the partially relates little or nothing
topic. It provides topic. It provides to the topic. No to do with the
Content a lot of few supporting details and/or topic.
supporting details and/or examples are
details and/or examples. given.
examples.
Main points well Main points well Main points are Main points lack
developed with developed with present with detailed
high quality and quality limited detail and development.
quantity support. supporting development. Ideas are vague
Development Reveals high details and Some critical with little
degree of critical quantity. Critical thinking is evidence of
thinking. thinking is present. critical thinking.
weaved into
points.
Essay is free of Essay has few Most spelling, Spelling,
distracting punctuation and punctuation, and punctuation, and
spelling, grammatical grammar correct grammatical
punctuation, and errors allowing allowing reader errors create
grammatical reader to follow to progress distraction,
Grammar errors; absent of ideas clearly. through essay. making reading
& Mechanics fragments, Very few Some errors difficult;
comma splices, fragments or run- remain. fragments,
and run-ons. ons. comma splices,
run-ons evident.
Errors are
frequent.
Meets all formal Meets format and Meets format and Fails to follow
and assignment assignment assignment format and
requirements and requirements; requirements; assignment
evidences margins, spacing, generally correct requirement;
attention to and indentations margins, spacing, cover format,
detail; all are correct; essay and indentations; incorrect
Format margins, spacing is neat and essay is neat but indentations;
and indentations correctly may have some neatness of essay
are correct; essay assembled. assembly errors. needs attention.
is neat and
correctly
assembled with
professional look.

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 MODULE 7: Principles of Design Organization

SUMMARY

Principles of design are guides for organizing visual qualities likewise understanding
how the artwork is planned. The six (6) principles of design are balance (symmetrical,
asymmetrical and radial), rhythm and movement (one-beat, alternating, progressive,
flowing rhythm), proportion, emphasis (dominance and focal point), pattern and unity and
variety.
Balance is the feeling of equality in weight, attention, or attraction. There are three
types of balance: 1. Symmetrical (formal balance) 2. Asymmetrical (Informal Balance) and 3.
Radial seems to move outward from the center.
Rhythm and movement have 4 types. First, one beat rhythm uses only one shape
with different colors. Alternating rhythm uses two geometric shapes in interchanging
manner. Progressive rhythm is the repeated element is manifested in a consistent change.
While, flowing rhythm is the repetition of element in a graceful movement.
Proportion is the relationships of parts to a whole and the whole to the parts. In
proportion, a formula called golden mean or section is used. It means that the smaller part
must relate to the larger part and so on, until the later larger part relates to the whole.
Emphasis is a principle employed by artists in managing the noticeable part of the
work. There are two ways to achieve emphasis. First, dominance. It is a manner of creating
one element in an artwork as the strongest or most important part. While, focal point is
achieved through isolation.
Pattern is achieved when there is a repetition of elements like line, color, shape and
texture. Patterns in two-dimensional work of art are observed through the repeated usage of
motif. Motif is a complete unit in a larger design.
Lastly, unity and variety. It is the sense or feeling that everything fits together. There
are several methods to achieve this principle. These are repetition of elements, simplicity,
harmony, theme and variation.

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 MODULE 7: Principles of Design Organization

REFERENCES

Books:
 Perez, T., Cayas, R. & Narciso, N. Alampat: An Introduction to Arts Appreciation.
Blue Patriach Publishing House. Davao City. 2013
 Leano, R., Agtani, J.M., Papel, R. O. Art Appreciation for College
Students. Mindshapers Co., Inc. Manila. 2017

Images and Artworks used in this Module:

 https://www.google.com/search?q=SYMMETrical+IMAGE+TAJ+MAJAL
 https://www.google.com/search?q=ASSYMMETrical+IMAGE+
 https://www.google.com/search?q=ASSYMMETrical+IMAGE+&tbm=isch&ved=2
 https://www.google.com/search?q=radial+balance&tbm=isch&ved=2ahUKEwiE
 https://www.google.com/search?q=one+beat+rhythm+in+principles+of+design
 https://www.google.com/search?q=progressive+rhythm&tbm=isch&ved=2ahU
 https://artclasscurator.com/rhythm-in-art-examples/
 https://www.google.com/search?q=proportion+in+principles+of+design&tbm
 https://www.google.com/search?q=dominance+picture&tbm=isch&ved=2ahUK
 https://www.google.com/search?q=focal+point+picture&tbm=isch&ved
 https://www.google.com/search?q=pattern&tbm=isch&ved=2ahUKEwjM3tm6g
 https://www.google.com/search?q=motif&tbm=isch&ved=2ahUKEwjw2PDdgbT
 https://www.google.com/search?q=pattern&tbm=isch&ved=2ahUKEwjM3tm6g
 https://www.google.com/search?q=unity+and+variety+in+art&tbm=isch&ved=

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