Design Principles By: Rebecca Van Nelson

BalanceAlthough the rocks in this image are not all

exactly the same size and weight, balance is still created by placing it correctly.

Rope walking is a form of balance as well. Being able to balance your body on a thin rope takes practice and harmony and this creates balance in the body.

The stillness of the water makes the reflection of the girl perfectly clear, creating

a perfect balance.

RepetitionThis is an example of repetition in architecture. The arches are all exactly the same and looking at it from this perspective view carries your eye

right through. The same pattern is repeated.

A peacocks feathers have a beautiful pattern that is repeated. So we can

find repetition in this as well as things like leaves and trees.

There is repetition in the outfits and accessories of these Indonesian dancers. Making them look the same and also making the viewer see them as one.

ProportionIn this image this girl appears to be miniature because of the oversized book and pencil. The first thing our mind tells us is that the girl is

unusually small.

The ladybug is extremely small when put next to this plug. The same thing would happen if a human was put next

to the Eiffel tower.

This little boy seems to be so much bigger than this ape. Proportion can be in the way the picture is taken or in this case the way it is edited.

DominanceIn this painting red is the dominant colour. It makes

the picture pop and your eyes go to the red first because of its dominance over the other colours.

The gold and silver bands appear smaller and less important because of

the dominance in the diamond.

The blueberry is dominant amongst all the red berries, because it is different and stands

out the most.

ContrastThe complete darkness in the background and the

moon as well as the lit up Eiffel tower creates contrast.

The dark flowers and light backdrop makes the contrast in this image beautiful.

This image looks like cut outs pasted on a light background. However it is only the use of colour and

design that creates that kind of contrast in this image.

DirectionTaking your eyes from one point to the next through

movement. In this image the long legs create vertical lines and take your eyes up and down with each new

pattern and colour.

The direction is in the colour scheme and pattern. It allows you to follow through till

the end.

The direction is in the words. We read the English language from left to right. So our eyes are moving from one end to the other

over and over again.

HarmonyBlending of colour and light in this image

creates harmony. Its easy and pleasant to look at.

The beautiful integration of soft colours in this painting of Autumn creates harmony.

Harmony in this collage of similar colours.

VarietyIn this painting there is a variety of things happening. There is a man and a woman

dancing passionately in the front. In the back you’ll notice two men wearing safety gear

and carrying out something toxic.

The variety in this photograph is the age old cathedral standing in between modern buildings.

Here we have a variety of turquoise rings in one box.

Symbolic meaningA cross has symbolic meaning to Christians. It represents the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. It also marks the top of a

church. It is also worn as a pendant, and put up at graveyards in remembrance of Loved ones passing on.

A white dove represents peace and new beginnings.

A castle/palace represents royalty and also fairy tales. There are real palaces where kings and queens reside and then we have castles at Disneyland symbolic to

the real world and fairy tales.

Composition The placement or arrangement of visual

elements. In this image the design elements/ different shapes have been placed randomly.

The composition of these rings are different to the normal shape and composition of a

ring.

In this photograph composition is found in the glass balls which are a completely different element to the

dull buildings around it. However there is also a reflection of the buildings in the glass ball. Giving it a

certain effect.

The composition of this image is amazing. It integrates a typewriter and a piano typing musical

notes. Very interesting.