What are the 2 principles of design in art?

The principles of design can help a photograph come together to form a successful image. In this article, we’ll look at how to use the seven principles of art and design.

These principles of design will help you create better compositions and more interesting images.

What are the 2 principles of design in art?

Intuitive Composition

Learn the essential principles of design photography and take your photos to the next level with this comprehensive ebook and cheat sheets!

Have you ever wondered what goes into the creation of a successful design piece? Here are some visual tools that can help you structure your design compositions.

In this article, we'll talk about the principles of design and their importance. This set of visual tools can help you create an organized structure to deliver a clear message. These principles are also applied in art and different design sub-disciplines. Along with definitions, we'll show you a few examples of the principles of design that will help you better understand their meaning. 

Prefer to learn via video? Don't miss this new video I made for the Envato Tuts+ YouTube channel:

The Principles of Design | FREE COURSE

What are the 2 principles of design in art?

What Are the Principles of Design?

The principles of design are a set of rules that designers can follow when creating a composition to create visually pleasing work. The purpose of these rules is to deliver a message in the most organized and functional way.

Now that you know the principles of design definition, here's a list of the main design principles:

  • What are the 2 principles of design in art?
    What are the 2 principles of design in art?
    What are the 2 principles of design in art?
    Principles of Design: Balance
  • What are the 2 principles of design in art?
    What are the 2 principles of design in art?
    What are the 2 principles of design in art?
    Principles of Design: Unity
  • What are the 2 principles of design in art?
    What are the 2 principles of design in art?
    What are the 2 principles of design in art?
    Principles of Design: Contrast
  • What are the 2 principles of design in art?
    What are the 2 principles of design in art?
    What are the 2 principles of design in art?
    Principles of Design: Emphasis
  • What are the 2 principles of design in art?
    What are the 2 principles of design in art?
    What are the 2 principles of design in art?
    Principles of Design: Repetition
  • What are the 2 principles of design in art?
    What are the 2 principles of design in art?
    What are the 2 principles of design in art?
    Principles of Design: Pattern
  • What are the 2 principles of design in art?
    What are the 2 principles of design in art?
    What are the 2 principles of design in art?
    Principles of Design: Rhythm
  • What are the 2 principles of design in art?
    What are the 2 principles of design in art?
    What are the 2 principles of design in art?
    Principles of Design: Movement
  • What are the 2 principles of design in art?
    What are the 2 principles of design in art?
    What are the 2 principles of design in art?
    Principles of Design: Proportion
  • What are the 2 principles of design in art?
    What are the 2 principles of design in art?
    What are the 2 principles of design in art?
    Principles of Design: Harmony
  • What are the 2 principles of design in art?
    What are the 2 principles of design in art?
    What are the 2 principles of design in art?
    Principles of Design: Variety

While we’ve all seen our fair share of experimental pieces out there, it's important to know the significance of the fundamentals. Every design piece has a structure below the surface that holds up the design and makes it visually interesting and balanced. Once designers understand the usage of the principles, they’ll understand better how to break these rules. 

In my previous article, The Basic Elements of Design, I talked about the elements that create everything we perceive. With a solid understanding of those elements, you’ll be able to learn more about the principles of design. 

Principles of Design: Balance

What are the 2 principles of design in art?
What are the 2 principles of design in art?
What are the 2 principles of design in art?

Any element placed on a page carries a visual weight. It can range from form to size, color, and texture. In order to make a design feel stable or have balance, the elements need to have a certain scale.

For instance, in a symmetrical design, the elements on the right side have the same visual weight as the elements on the left side. Symmetrical designs are easier to balance but can also come across as boring. Asymmetrical designs have different sides but equal visual weight. Being able to achieve balance in asymmetry can result in a visually interesting design that has movement. 

Lack of balance would make your design feel heavy on one side and empty on the opposite. If you're wondering about principles of design balance examples, you’ll know your design lacks balance when it feels as if it’s falling off to one side.

Principles of Design: Unity

What are the 2 principles of design in art?
What are the 2 principles of design in art?
What are the 2 principles of design in art?

Unity in the principles of design is the harmony produced by all the elements in a design piece. For instance, using similar colors that match and integrate elements organically makes it appear as if they belong together and are not just put on a page.

You can achieve unity by making clear relationships between visual elements. You can find unity wherever you find clear organization and order, and the elements of the page won’t be fighting for attention. Instead, they’ll work together to make the message stronger. Too much unity can result in a sterile design with a lack of personality. That’s when you can start incorporating other elements to add movement. 

Lack of unity would make your design feel cluttered and confusing. Viewers will be attracted to the wrong element of the design and won't get a clear message. A good rule of thumb is to place an element in your design only if it enhances the message. Ask yourself what the element is adding to the composition.

Principles of Design: Contrast

What are the 2 principles of design in art?
What are the 2 principles of design in art?
What are the 2 principles of design in art?

Contrast refers to the level of difference between design elements in order to create visual hierarchies. The variation makes certain elements stand out more than others. You can apply contrast by using colors, textures, sizes, and shapes.

In a layout, contrast is applied to create hierarchy between the font sizes. Larger text tends to be read before any smaller text. Contrast is important when it comes to pairing fonts. For instance, in the example below, we have a font duo that includes a script font and a sans serif font. The script font adds movement to the static sans serif. 

Contrast can create a focal point to certain elements that can draw the viewer’s eyes. Contrast can also be used to create balance and harmony by making sure items are distributed nicely on a page. Lack of contrast can make a design look dull, and viewers can overlook the important message. Contrast is important especially when designing accessible documents. For instance, black type on a white background will be easier to read than black on a brown background.

What are the 2 principles of design in art?
What are the 2 principles of design in art?
What are the 2 principles of design in art?
Jacksons Font Duo

Principles of Design: Emphasis

What are the 2 principles of design in art?
What are the 2 principles of design in art?
What are the 2 principles of design in art?

Emphasis is a strategy to get the viewer’s attention to a specific design element. This can be in any form: a button, a website, or an image. The purpose is to create something that will stand out from the rest of the page. You can use different elements to highlight a specific part of your design, like lines, color, positive/negative relationships, and many more. As long as you can create contrast, either with elements or color, you’ll be creating emphasis.

  • Lines create direction on a page by pointing to specific elements that help the viewer’s eyes know where to go. 
  • Shapes can also draw attention. Using a group of similar shapes and breaking the group with a different shape will create tension and draw the eyes. 
  • Color can create an emphasis in any design. Buttons on a website tend to contrast with the background to create a sense of urgency and attention.
  • Texture can be seen in materials to enhance tactile features. For instance, a business card can have an emboss or relief on a logo to emphasize it. Digitally, texture can be applied as a drop shadow on a button to appear three-dimensional. 
  • Space is also an option to emphasize certain elements in your design. Enough white space around an object can prioritize the focus on a single element. For instance, Apple has a clean and direct idea of emphasizing products. 

Principles of Design: Repetition

What are the 2 principles of design in art?
What are the 2 principles of design in art?
What are the 2 principles of design in art?

Using repeated elements on a layout can be pleasing to the viewer. Repetition is repeating a single element through the design. We can call a grid a repetition of lines because it creates a certain consistency. In layout design, repetition is shown through the folio placement to help viewers find their way in a book or magazine. The same folio placement creates continuity in the repetition. 

In a website, repetition is seen on the menu placement, which gives the viewers a constant placement that can make them feel comfortable and familiar. Repetition can also be achieved by repeating elements in a design like a logo or a tagline in a brand development project. Below, the repetition of waves gives a feeling that the page is endless. That's why in the principles of design, repetition is relevant.

What are the 2 principles of design in art?
What are the 2 principles of design in art?
What are the 2 principles of design in art?
Retro Colorful Waves Background

Principles of Design: Pattern

What are the 2 principles of design in art?
What are the 2 principles of design in art?
What are the 2 principles of design in art?

In principles of design, pattern is the repetition of more than one design element. While repetition focuses on a single element being repeated, pattern refers to multiple elements repeated throughout a design (e.g. wallpapers and backgrounds).

A seamless pattern is a repeated set of elements that flows without a flaw to create a unit. You can see seamless patterns predominantly in interior design when using tiles. The use of patterns can enhance the viewer's experience and the look of a final design.

In the example below, the pattern repeats itself from edge to edge without any disruptions. The pattern is composed of multiple elements with varying sizes and depths. 

What are the 2 principles of design in art?
What are the 2 principles of design in art?
What are the 2 principles of design in art?
Cup of Tea Seamless Pattern

Principles of Design: Rhythm

What are the 2 principles of design in art?
What are the 2 principles of design in art?
What are the 2 principles of design in art?

Rhythm, a principle of design, has more complexity than the previous principles of repetition and pattern. Repetition and pattern are applied to the same element throughout a design. Rhythm is the visual tempo of a combination of elements when used repeatedly, and with variation, it gives the feeling of organized movement. 

Rhythm in the principles of design is usually hidden in works of art and is not as obvious as the design principles of repetition and pattern. In the example below, the diagonal lines aren't arranged in a specific pattern. Instead, there's a repetition of the elements with variations. 

What are the 2 principles of design in art?
What are the 2 principles of design in art?
What are the 2 principles of design in art?
Melting Lines

Principles of Design: Movement

What are the 2 principles of design in art?
What are the 2 principles of design in art?
What are the 2 principles of design in art?

Movement in the principles of design refers to the path the viewer’s eye takes through a composition. In an image, every element can affect how the eyes move. Important elements will lead to secondary elements and so on. Movement  in a composition creates interest and dynamism that keeps the viewer engaged.

Movement can be created with rhythm when using a variation of an element repeatedly. Using curved lines and diagonal lines creates more movement compared to straight lines. Use lines to trace the path to the focal point. Color can help enhance the feeling of movement, juxtaposing high and low key colors to create energy. A literal way of showing movement is by using an image that includes motion, like a dancer or hair in the wind. Some artists use illusions like optical art, in which the repetition and contrast make our brains want to organize the information. 

In the example below, movement is created by the slightly curved lines and the overlapping colors. Both effects enhance the movement because the lines are unstable and the gradient blurs the lines instead of being static.

What are the 2 principles of design in art?
What are the 2 principles of design in art?
What are the 2 principles of design in art?
Iridescent Holographic Background

Principles of Design: Proportion

What are the 2 principles of design in art?
What are the 2 principles of design in art?
What are the 2 principles of design in art?

Proportion in the principles of design is the sense of unity created when all the elements in a composition relate well with each other. Proportion is mostly about scale and size when two elements are compared. For instance, in art and drawing, proportion is important for the elements to look realistic. Proportion as a principle of design doesn’t necessarily refer to the size of one element but to the relationship of two or more elements. 

In layout hierarchy, the proportion of the headline compared to the photo caption needs to be larger as the headline is the most important element. Smaller elements have less importance. When you achieve a good sense of proportion in a composition, it can add harmony and balance.

Principles of Design: Harmony

What are the 2 principles of design in art?
What are the 2 principles of design in art?
What are the 2 principles of design in art?

Harmony as a principle of design is the sense of cohesiveness between the elements in a composition. The elements shouldn’t be exactly the same or completely different but related in some way. Color palettes or similar textures can create a sense of unity between different components. Using similarly shaped items will create harmony because they will seem related. 

Not enough or too much harmony can make a design dull; there needs to be some kind of variety for it to be visually interesting. 

Principles of Design: Variety

What are the 2 principles of design in art?
What are the 2 principles of design in art?
What are the 2 principles of design in art?

Variety in the principles of design is about creating visual interest that will keep viewers engaged with your design. Holding their attention and guiding them through the composition will create a powerful user experience.

Variety adds something interesting to the composition to create contrast and tension. For instance, mixing organic shapes with geometric shapes adds variety. This concept should reinforce the message you are trying to communicate in your design—otherwise, it can look pointless.

That's It! 

The elements and principles of art and design are the foundation for creating a composition. The use of these principles can give structure and help you understand how other design pieces and artworks are built. It can help you determine whether a composition will be successful or determine the missing piece of the puzzle.

The use of these principles will help you design with purpose by giving function to every single element in a composition. Communicating a clear message isn't only about the message but how we carry it to deliver it cleanly and clearly.

When you look at a design composition from now on, think of these principles and how they are being applied. You'll be able to decode the most intricate designs and understand what's working and what's not. 

If you liked this article about the principles of design definitions, you might like:

  • What are the 2 principles of design in art?
    What are the 2 principles of design in art?
    What are the 2 principles of design in art?

    The Ultimate Guide to Basic Typography

    What are the 2 principles of design in art?
    What are the 2 principles of design in art?
    What are the 2 principles of design in art?

    Laura Keung

    16 Jul 2020

  • What are the 2 principles of design in art?
    What are the 2 principles of design in art?
    What are the 2 principles of design in art?

    The Rise of the Sans Serif

    What are the 2 principles of design in art?
    What are the 2 principles of design in art?
    What are the 2 principles of design in art?

    Laura Keung

    02 Dec 2020

  • What are the 2 principles of design in art?
    What are the 2 principles of design in art?
    What are the 2 principles of design in art?

    The Different Types of Fonts: When to Use Each Font Type and When Not

    What are the 2 principles of design in art?
    What are the 2 principles of design in art?
    What are the 2 principles of design in art?

    Laura Keung

    17 Feb 2020

  • What are the 2 principles of design in art?
    What are the 2 principles of design in art?
    What are the 2 principles of design in art?

    Prototyping in Design Thinking: Fail Fast, Fail Often

    What are the 2 principles of design in art?
    What are the 2 principles of design in art?
    What are the 2 principles of design in art?

    Franc Lucas

    24 Sep 2018

  • What are the 2 principles of design in art?
    What are the 2 principles of design in art?
    What are the 2 principles of design in art?

    The Ultimate Guide to Adobe Illustrator Swatches

    What are the 2 principles of design in art?
    What are the 2 principles of design in art?
    What are the 2 principles of design in art?

    Andrei Stefan

    26 Jun 2019

  • What are the 2 principles of design in art?
    What are the 2 principles of design in art?
    What are the 2 principles of design in art?

    A Brief History of Display Fonts

    What are the 2 principles of design in art?
    What are the 2 principles of design in art?
    What are the 2 principles of design in art?

    Laura Keung

    09 Nov 2020

  • What are the 2 principles of design in art?
    What are the 2 principles of design in art?
    What are the 2 principles of design in art?

    65 Design Terms You Should Know

    What are the 2 principles of design in art?
    What are the 2 principles of design in art?
    What are the 2 principles of design in art?

    Laura Keung

    29 May 2022

  • What are the 2 principles of design in art?
    What are the 2 principles of design in art?
    What are the 2 principles of design in art?

    50 Totally Free Lessons in Graphic Design Theory

    What are the 2 principles of design in art?
    What are the 2 principles of design in art?
    What are the 2 principles of design in art?

    Danny Outlaw

    07 Feb 2020

  • What are the 2 principles of design in art?
    What are the 2 principles of design in art?
    What are the 2 principles of design in art?

    Trending: How to Color Block in Graphic Design

    What are the 2 principles of design in art?
    What are the 2 principles of design in art?
    What are the 2 principles of design in art?

    Laura Keung

    30 Mar 2022

  • What are the 2 principles of design in art?
    What are the 2 principles of design in art?
    What are the 2 principles of design in art?

    Smart vs. Stylish: How to Balance Design Principles With Design Trends

    What are the 2 principles of design in art?
    What are the 2 principles of design in art?
    What are the 2 principles of design in art?

    Daisy Ein

    23 Aug 2019

Editorial Note: This post has been updated with contributions from Maria Villanueva. Maria is the Associate Editor of the Tuts+ Design channel.

What are the 2 principles of design?

What are basic design principles? There are twelve basic principles of design: contrast, balance, emphasis, proportion, hierarchy, repetition, rhythm, pattern, white space, movement, variety, and unity. These principles work together to create visually appealing and functional designs that make sense to users.

What is the 2 elements of art?

There are seven elements of art that are considered the building blocks of art as a whole. The seven elements are line, color, value, shape, form, space, and texture.

What are the principles of design arts?

What Are the Seven Principles of Art and Design? The seven principles of art and design are balance, rhythm, pattern, emphasis, contrast, unity, and movement. The elements of art and design are line, shape/form, space, value, color, and texture. The elements of art and design are the tools of visual artists.

What are the 3 elements and 2 principles of art?

The elements of art are color, form, line, shape, space, and texture. The principles of art are scale, proportion, unity, variety, rhythm, mass, shape, space, balance, volume, perspective, and depth.