DESIGN PRINCIPLES

Composition is the arrangement of the five art elements into a harmonious or unified whole. The five art elements are: 1. Line 2. Value 3. Shape 4. Texture 5. Color.

Picture Plane is the surface the artist executes his or her image on (i.e. canvas, paper, wall, train, etc.)

THE PRINCIPLES OF DESIGN
1. Unity is accomplished by establishing a commonality among the various elements within a composition. 
2. Similarity refers to the use of elements sharing similar characteristics (i.e. circles, squares, triangles are all geometric shapes).
3. Variety refers to the bringing together of diverse elements to create a visually interesting yet unified composition.
Similarity and Variety are both attributes of Unity.
4. Balance is achieved by manipulating the elements according to size, color, value, shape, orientation and location into a sense of equilibrium.
5. Symmetrical balance is the mirror-like repetition of the elements divided by vertical and or central axis.
6. Asymmetrical balance is the intuitive or felt sense of equilibrium.
7. Scale and Proportion deals with the relative size of the individual parts of a composition as they relate to the whole.
8. Dominance refers to the way a particular element within a composition assumes more importance over the other elements.
9. Movement or Direction is established by the directional pull of lines or the contours of shapes, and the use of similarity.
10. Economy is the elimination of extraneous information in order to achieve a greater clarity by emphasizing the essential elements of a composition.
11. Closure refers to the ability to perceive forms in their wholeness with a limited amount of information.