How to Understand Design Principles

There are several universal principles of design that artists, architects, landscape designers, graphic designers, interior designers, and others use every day. See the steps below for understanding these principles of design.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Balance
   
   Balance in design refers to creating equilibrium using the visual weight and size of an object, not the actual numerical weight. A large heavy pot made out of clay would be balanced with a large pot made of a synthetic light weight material. A server with a large piece of artwork hanging above would be balanced with a china hutch.
   
   Formal balance is achieved by placing nearly identical objects on either side of an object. For example, you can put 2 identical candlesticks on either end of a fireplace mantle.
   
   Informal balance is achieved by creating balance using different items. For example, you can put a cluster of 3 candlesticks on one side of a fireplace mantle and a large pot on the other side. The cluster of candlesticks and the large pot seem to have a similar weight.

2. Proportion
   
   Proportion is how an object's size, quantity, or number relates to another part and the object as a whole. Usually objects with a 2 to 3, 3 to 5, or 5 to 8 proportion are found most pleasing.
   
   For example, a chair that is 30" wide would look nice with an ottoman that is 20" wide. This uses the 2 to 3 proportion.

3. Emphasis or Focal Point
   
   An emphasis or focal point is the dominant item in a room. This could be a fireplace, chandelier, or a beautiful bed. Good design usually only allows one focal point in a room.

4. Scale
   
   Scale is similar to proportion in that it refers to how objects relate to other objects.
   
   For example, a large room looks best with larger furniture. A large room with small furniture clustered in the middle would have an unpleasing scale.

5. Rhythm
   
   Rhythm is a path your eye follows around a room. You can create rhythm using repetition, transition, gradation, or radiation.
   
   Repetition is the use of the same object several times. You can use several photos in the same type of frame along a wall.
   
   Transition is the use of curves to go around something. This can be achieved with a curved valance going over a window.
   
   Gradation is the use of a change in color from light to dark or the change in size of objects from large to small. Russian matryoshka stacking dolls are an example of gradation.
   
   Radiation is a balance around a central point. This is evident in many chandeliers that have several light sources.

Resources

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[Ladybugblue]

on 3/7/2009 Good article! 5*****

[Barbs2bits]

on 3/6/2009 Interesting.