Principles and Elements of Design Applied to Architecture

-Six integral components used in the creation of a design

~line

~color

~form and shape

~space

~texture

~value

Line

-Types

~Vertical: Represents dignity, formality, stability, and strength

~Horizontal: Represents calm, peace, and relaxation

~Diagonal: Represents action, activity, excitement, and movement

~Curved: Represents freedom, natural, softness, soothing feeling or mood

-Vertical lines

~The Empire State Building

-Horizontal Lines

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-Diagonal Lines

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-Curved Lines

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Color

-Color has an immediate and profound effect on a design

-Warm colors

~reds

~oranges

~yellows

-Cool Colors

~blues

~purples

~greens

-Colors can affect how people feel and act

 

Form and Shape

-Form: (3D)The shape and structure of something as distinguished from its substance or material.

-Shape:(2D)The two-dimensional contour that characterizes an object or area. By incorporating the use of space in your design, you can enlarge or reduce the visual space.  

-Types

~open, uncluttered spaces

~cramped, busy spaces

~unused vs. good use of space

Texture

-The surface look or feel of something

-smooth surface: reflects more light and therefore is a more intense color

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-rough surface: absorbs more light and therefore appears darker

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Value

-a relative lightness or darkness of a color

-Methods

~shade: degree of darkness or a color

~tint: a pale or faint variation of a color

Visual Design

-Seven principles encompass an interesting design.

~Balance

~Rhythm

~Emphasis

~Proportion and scale

~Movement

~Contrast

~Unity

Balance

-parts of the design are equally distributed to create a sense of stability. Both physical and visual balance exist

-Types

~Symmetrical or formal balance

~Asymmetrical or informal balance

~Radial balance

~Vertical balance

~Horizontal balance

-Symmetrical or Formal Balance

~The elements within the design are identical in relation to a centerline or axis.

-Asymmetrical or Informal Balance

~Parts of the design are not identical but are equal in visual weight.

-Radial Balance

~Design elements radiate outward from the center.

-Vertical Balance

~The top and bottom parts are equal.

-Horizontal Balance

~The parts on the left and right sides are equal.

Rhythm

-Repeated use of line, shape, color, texture or pattern

-Types

~Regular rhythm

~Random rhythm

~Gradated rhythm

-Regular Rhythm

~An element is repeated at the same repetition/interval each time.

-Random Rhythm

~The beats of the element are random or are at irregular intervals.

-Gradated Rhythm

~The repeated element is identical with the exception of one detail increasing or decreasing gradually with each repetition.

Emphasis

-The feature in a design that attracts one’s eye – the focal point

-Emphasis can be achieved through size, placement, shape, color, and/or use of lines

Proportion and Scale

-Comparative relationships between elements in a design with respect to size, 3:5 ratio is known as the Golden Mean

Movement

-flow or feeling of action

Contrast

-Noticeably different  

-Can be created with

~Color

~Proportion and scale

~Shape

~Texture

Unity

-Unity is achieved by the consistent use of lines, color, material, and/or texture within a design.

 

First Link:

Symmetry:

-Corresponding parts on either side of the y or x axis

-They have been using it for thousands of years

-Sign that something has been thought out

-Example:  Twin towers

 

Asymmetry:

-No symmetry

-Corresponding side are not the same

-Example: Brain and human body

-Some building tries not to be symmetry

 

Proportion

-It is used in art and architecture

-The rectangle of the early square have proportion relationship and it is use to make buildings

 

Scale

-Some building are scaled to human, so the human fit nicely

-But there are some bigger then normal

-The scale make the building feel comfortable

 

Form

-The cave dwelling made space on the inside and let rain run over the roof.

-People became making building about what could be instead of what had to be.

-They became make the builds out of glass instead of stone.

 

 

 

 

Elements:

-The primary elements of form points, one dimensional lines, two dimensional planes, and three dimensional volume can be seen to exist in all spatial environments

- As conceptual elements, the points, line, plane, and volume are not visible except to the mind's eye.

 

Points:

-points mark positions in space, where we are relative to our environment as well as elements in our environment that attract our attention.

-Because a point has no dimension, to mark a point, it can be projected vertically into a linear form, such as a column, obelisk, or tower.

 

Line:

-the path of a point in motion, a line is able to express what direction, movement, and growth.

-the orientation of a line affects its role in any visual construction. A vectival line can express a state of equilibrium with the force of gravity and symbolize the human condition.

 

Plane

-a transparent membrane that can be be stretched between two parallel lines

-a series of parallel line reinforces our perception of the plane described

 

-the lines can be represented as a series of columns establishing a colonnade.