Principles of Compositional Design

Movement

A way of combining visual elements to produce a sense of action - or implied

Pattern

Lines, colors or shapes repeated over and over in a planned way

Unity

is a feeling that all of the parts are working as a team - the quality of wholeness

Harmony

brings together a composition with similar units. If your composition was using wavy lines and organic shapes you would stay with those types of lines and not just one geometric shape. (Notice how similar Harmony is to Unity - some sources list both terms)

Balance

is a feeling of visual equality in shape, form, value, color, etc. Balance can be symmetrical or evenly balanced or asymmetrical and unevenly balanced. Objects, values, colors, textures, shapes, forms, etc., can be used in creating a balance in a composition. Balance is the principle of design referring to the way the elements are arranged to create a feeling of stability in a work - parts of equal visual weight

Rhythm

is a movement in which some elements recurs regularly. Rhythm is a visual tempo or beat. Like a dance it will have a flow of objects that will seem to be like the beat of music. Rhythm is created when visual elements are repeated. Rhythm may be alternating, regular, flowing, progressive or jazzy

Directional Movement

is a visual flow through the composition. It can be the suggestion of motion in a design as you move from object to object by way of placement and position. Directional movement can be created with a value pattern. It is with the placement of dark and light areas that you can move your attention through the format

Emphasis

is an area in a work of art that catches and holds the viewers attention

Center of interest

is the area that first attracts attention in the composition. This area is more important when compared to the other objects or elements in a composition. This can be contrast of values, more colors, and placement in the format

Burnishing

is the colored pencil technique that involves pressing one color darkly over another to see evidence of both

Contrast

offers some change in value creating a visual discord in a composition. Contrast is a large difference between two things: for example, rough and smooth or white and black. Contrast shows the difference between shapes can be used as a background to bring objects out and forward in a design. It can also be used to create an area of emphasis