Art-ology

Design in its most generic artistic sense is the plan for the creation of any object that is intended to have an aesthetic quality and proper function. Design may be considered structural and often involves a three dimensional form. Decorative design is not a structure of itself, but its purpose is to decorate something else. It requires line and space, form and color or value arranged in an aesthetically pleasing manner. It enhances that which it is applied.

The use of any decorative design or ornamentation should be suitable to the shape or structure of the object that it decorates. It should strengthen and enhance the original design without competing with it. The subject matter used in decorative design is limitless.

Good design is achieved on the basic principles and elements common to all forms of art. Anyone who works with design should have a thorough understanding of each principle and should be able to apply them correctly. The basic design principles include unity, emphasis, contrast, variety, rhythm, balance, line and form, scale and proportion.

Unity

Often referred to the cornerstone of design, Unity is achieved by the arrangements of parts that produce a single, orderly whole. It requires a consistency of idea, line and form throughout the entire design arrangement and provides an overall sense of oneness.

Emphasis

This design principle requires a part of the design to be dominant. In the effect that the dominant theme acts as a focal point for the overall design and the rest of the elements are there to support that theme. Together the dominant and subordinate design elements work to form unity.

Contrast

To achieve emphasis, contrast is utilized to depict the quality of opposition of line and form or color and value. It is achieved by relating lines or forms of definitely different character and has the greatest impact when placed side by side. The purpose of contrast is to make one element stand out more sharply against the other creating emphasis.

Variety

Variety combines different ideas and qualities. It lacks sameness and gives life to any design. However, if there is too much variety in the design elements, it will break the overall unity of the design.

Rhythm

Rhythm is the measured movement or repetition of accents in a design. In any design, the arrangement of line and form forces the eye to follow from one point to another. Its purpose is to guide the eye to view the design elements in order of sequence.

Balance

Balance is the harmonious arrangement of elements in a design that center around an axis point, giving the appearance of equal distribution. The two types of balance are symmetrical and asymmetrical. Symmetrical balance requires equal distribution of form and arrangement of parts, like a mirror image. Asymmetrical balance is created by arranging design elements that are different in form or shape to give the illusion that they are of equal value.

Scale and Proportion

Scale defines the size relationship between the elements in design and proportion is the relationship between shapes. Good scale requires that the sizes of all parts of a design be related in a satisfying way. Good proportion has areas sufficiently alike to have something in common and still be different enough to be interesting.

Line and Form

Line and form, with color and value, are the basic elements of decorative design. Line is the simplest element of design. It governs the shape of all flat design and is the basis for all decorative ornament. Form is the shape itself of an area or three-dimensional volume, as defined by the lines that surround it.