Activity 1.1.2 Design Principles and Elements

IntroductionHave 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

ProcedureIn 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 BankBalance Form Rhythm TextureColor Line Shape UnityEmphasis Proportion/Scale Space Value

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

1. Principle of Design

Asymetrical balance

Justification: There are big arches and little arches above them

Element of Design

Vertical line, Rough texture

Justification: There are pillars that go straight up and the texture of the material is rough

2. Principle of Design

Symmetrical balance, Emphasis, Graduated rhythm

Justification: If split down the middle the two halves of the building would be equal. A lot of attention is drawn to the top part of the building. As it goes from top to bottom there is a slight appearance of graduated rhythm as if goes from big to small.

Element of Design

Both vertical and horizontal lines, Dome form, Light color and value

Justification: The color of this building isn’t too vibrant and the value is pretty light.

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3. Principle of Design

Contrast, Proportion and scale

Justification: There is a contrast in the stone of the front and back piece of the building..

Element of Design

Rough texture, vertical and curved lines, Value

Justification: The building is considered to have a rough texture from the bricks

4. Principle of Design

Emphasis

Justification: The bigger structure takes emphasis from everything around it.

Element of Design

Form, smooth texture

Justification: The form of the building is round and almost egg shaped.

City Hall and London Bridge

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©Istockphoto.com

5. Principle of Design

Emphasis, contrast, balance

Justification: There is emphasis on the figure in the middle of the painting

Element of DesignColor, value, shape

Justification: The value of the color blue is changed throughout the painting.

6. Principle of Design

Balance, contrast, Rhythm

Justification: The triangle shape of the building is repeated.

Element of Design

Blue color, smooth texture, shape, space

Justification: The texture is smooth because the building is mostly glass.

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©Istockphoto.com

7. Principle of Design

Asymmetrical balance, contrast

Justification: Contrast of the color of the roof and rest of the house.

Element of Design

Color, form, shape, Texture

Justification: The form of pieces of the roof are triangular prisms.

8. Principle of Design

Rhythm

Justification: There are big and small arches but they follow a pattern.

Element of Design

Texture, shape, lines

Justification: There are vertical and curved lines that form arches.

Roman aqueduct

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©Istockphoto.com

Microsoft Office clipart

9. Principle of Design

Balance, rhythm, Emphasis, Contrast_

Justification: There is emphasis on the door.

Element of Design

Color, shape, Texture, space

Justification: Besides the pillars, there is a very open space.

10. Principle of Design

Contrast

Justification:The houses are different colors.

Element of Design

Smooth texture, color, vertical lines, shape.

Justification: Some of the windows have a triangular shape.

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Conclusion1. In what way do certain elements or principles identify the time period in which a

structure was created?

For every time period there are certain elements that are used based off of popularity.

2. What factors might account for an incorrect identification?

The angle of the picture or even lighting of the picture.

3. Describe an example of a way that design principles and elements could impact the function of a building.

Buildings with mostly vertical lines show that the function of the building is purely business and used for some type of government business.

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