Principles of Design

Dominance

Dominance is when something dominates, like the twin towers in the above picture. The design although it is simple stands out from the other objects because it dominates the landscape.

I chose this picture of the twin towers because they used to dominate the landscape before 9/11. Now ground zero dominates the landscape because of the tragedy that happened in 2001.

Unity

Unity refers to a sense that everything in the artwork belongs there, and makes a whole piece. It is achieved by the use of balance and repetition. Two objects like a living room and a dining room can be unified by giving these similar features like a shared hardwood floor design, same colour etc. This picture shows unity because the building uses unity as it main feature, it is almost symmetrical in how it is shown.

Balance

Can be either symmetrical or asymmetrical depending on if the right or left side is identical or not. Also refers to a sense that dominant focal points are balanced and don’t give a feeling of being pulled too much to any part of the artwork. Balance can be balance by location of objects such as windows on a house, balance by volume or sizes of objects, balance by colour (like desired brightness in a room).Many older designs of buildings use balance/symmetry. This was because it made the buildings easier to build. This picture shows  the balance of firefox on the world. Yes it might seem silly but firefox is the balance of how the internet is brought to you.

Harmony

Harmony is achieved through the sensitive balance of variety and unity. Colour harmony may be achieved using complementary or analogous colours. Harmony in design is similarity of components or objects looking like these belong together. Harmony is when some or many the components (usually three objects depending on size of project or room) such as furniture in a room share a common trait or two. A common trait could be: colour(s), shape(s), texture, pattern(s), material, theme, style, size, or functionality. For example a drapery could share the same colour that is on a pillow or wallpaper. This is called colour coordination in wall paper design. Harmony and unity generally make designs more visually appealing and interesting. Is a technical and artificial process for attempting to produce interior design beauty. Design harmony may be used to avoid design or furniture chaos in most cases. This picture is a Japanese/Chinese symbol of harmony, the object does suit/belong to the surroundings.

Contrast

Contrast is the occurrence of contrasting elements, such as colour, value, size, etc. It creates interest and pulls the attention toward the focal point. This picture show contrast in Gods creation. The rainbow is possibly the most beautiful show of light that is in the creation.

Repetition (Rhythm, Pattern)

The recurrence of elements within a piece: colours, lines, shapes, values, etc. Any element that occurs is generally echoed, often with some variation to keep interest. Rhythm in interior design also may be used to reduce randomness. For example, placing four plant pots in a row and evenly spaced apart on a floor produces an organized look. This picture of pop art show how repition can be effective.

Variety (Alternation)

The use of dissimilar elements, which creates interest. Variety like a painting or some reflective wood panels added on a plain wall may be used to reduce monotony. Helps infuse colour to a house decor to attempt to increase design beauty. This picture show how variety can be useful, but it can be to much at the same time.

Proportion (Scale)

Proportion involves the relationship of size between objects. Proportion is also relative sizes of surface areas of different colours in a room. The proportion of colour areas such as on a wall of a living room may be chosen to be visually pleasing. Proportion also depends on functionality of object. For example, for the best proportion between a room and furniture, the sizes of furniture depend on the size of the room. This picture shows how porprotion can be used to get attention. The bottle grabs your attention from the truck to the brand of the beer pictured.

Functionality

A design must have good functionality. For example a bedroom must function well as a place to sleep and store clothing as well as looking nice. This picture shows how functionality can be used to increase the traffic flow on a busy motorway.

Attraction

Attraction is how much an observer is attracted to a particular design such as a particular style of a house. May involve studying the psychology why certain people are attracted more too particular designs than other designs. This picture show how a magnet attracts.

Artistic Unity

Artistic unity is staying on the story (like a science fiction novel) topic or story line, telling only one story at a time, staying on the style of a home in interior design. Avoids distraction or subconscious confusion in house decor style. Helps strengthen the style of a house, gives a clear design style communication.

Genuineness in Media and Form

Genuineness in media and form in architecture and home interior design is using real material for finishes rather that faux. The beauty of natural patterns of stone or wood, and real crystallized metals may be used to enhance the visual appeal of an interior design. Using real metal, glass or crystal instead of plastic simulations. Real style, prestige, glamour or luxury rather than preteens. For example, an arborite kitchen counter top cannot duplicate the mirror reflectivity and natural beauty of granite counters for long. In some cases, furniture made of real wood could like nicer than faux wood (photographic wood).

Proximity

Proximity in home decor is the placing of similar objects closer together physically, and unlike objects (decor) further apart. Helps to produce harmony by grouping like objects. For example, different furniture styles with different colours compressed in a small bedroom does not look as nice as the same furniture placed further apart in a very large living room.

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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Design_elements_and_principles