Trivet Project

Advanced Clay

Dunn

The Principles of Design

• The Principles of Design are the ways in which the elements of art are organized within a composition of art.

• The Principles of Design are: Balance, Emphasis, Rhythm/Movement, Variety/Contrast, Harmony/Unity, Pattern/Repetition, and Proportion.

Balance is the arrangement of elements to create a sense of visual stability in a work of art. Balance in a composition can be symmetrical, asymmetrical, or

radial.

Emphasis is a focal point of a design. It is the area of a composition that attracts the viewer’s eye first,

either because of its size, location and/or color.

Proportion is the comparative relation between sizes of objects, parts of objects and spaces between

objects.

Pattern or Repetition is when elements or combinations of elements are repeated in a

recognizable organization.

Rhythm or Movement is the organization of

elements to produce the appearance of movement.

Contrast or Variety is the incorporation of differences in elements to enhance the interest in a

work of art.

Harmony or Unity is when a composition has a sense of wholeness as result of the successful

combination of all of the elements.

Trivets: a hot plate (traditionally metal with 3 small feet)

Assignment:• Must create a clay trivet

• Must consider the Principles of Design:– Balance: choose symmetrical, asymmetrical, or

radial

– Must choose at least two other principles:• Emphasis

• Proportion

• Pattern

• Rhythm

• contrast

• Must have negative space

• This is a technical challenge more than anything else!

Steps:• Create a design on paper (to scale)

• Roll a THICK slab of clay

• Use marker transfer method to copy your design

• Cut out VERY carefully

• Clean up all sharp edges

Homework:

• 3 Full page sketches of designs due Tuesday, September 9th

Student Examples: