Chapter 3 - Principles of Design

Question 1

Six principles of design

Answer 1

1. Balance
2. Harmony and Unity
3. Rhythm
4. Emphasis and Focus
5. Contrast and Variety
6. Proportion

Question 2

The arrangement of elements in a composition to achieve visual equilibrium

Answer 2

Balance

Question 3

Balance depends on the idea of

Answer 3

visual weight

Question 4

Three types of balance

Answer 4

symmetrical, asymmetrical, and radial

Question 5

______ depends on equalizing the visual, or optical, weights of non-similar elements in a composition

Answer 5

asymmetrical balance

Question 6

_______ is considered informal and dynamic

Answer 6

asymmetrical balance

Question 7

Explain visual weight as it relates to balance

Answer 7

some objects appear “heavier” than others by the nature of their size, shape, complexity, color, texture, or location in space

Question 8

____ consists of identical elements arranged equally about a common axis.

Answer 8

Symmetrical balance

Question 9

Symmetrical balance is very ____ and connotes_____

Answer 9

stable

formality

Question 10

_____ balance is a type of symmetrical balance in which elements are arranged uniformly about a central point

Answer 10

Radial

Question 11

_____ in a composition is the agreement of the parts to each other and to the whole.

Answer 11

Harmony

Question 12

What is one of the most difficult design principles to apply because there are no fixed rules and because it includes the opposing concepts of . unity/variety and rhythm/emphasis

Answer 12

Harmony

Question 13

How is harmony most often achieved?

give some examples

Answer 13

by relating a number of different elements through a common characteristic

• harmony using a common element
• harmony using a common shape

Question 14

Which design principle is the repetition of elements in a regular pattern?

Answer 14

Rhythm

Question 15

What is the simplest kind of rhythm?

Answer 15

repetition of identical objects

Question 16

Examples of complex rhythm?

Answer 16

• irregular spacing
• emphasizing or changing elements and regular intervals
• uniformly increasing or decreasing the size of the elements
• gradation

Question 17

The design principle describing make some objects more important than others

Answer 17

Emphasis and Focus

Question 18

The juxtaposition of dissimilar elements

Answer 18

Contrast

Question 19

______ is the way we perceive the difference between things, create importance, and add interest and variety to our environment

Answer 19

Contrast

Question 20

Lighting can be a dramatic way in which ____ is created

Answer 20

contrast

Question 21

For critical visual tasks, maximum brightness ratio of ___:___ task surface: its background

Answer 21

3:1

Question 22

For critical visual tasks, maximum brightness ratio of ___:___ task surface: surrounding surfaces

Answer 22

5:1

Question 23

It is not desirable to work on a _____ surface in a _____ room

Answer 23

dark

bright

Question 24

To use light contrast as a principle of design and avoid glare and undesirable brightness ratios, limit bright lighting to highlighting _____, ______, and ______

Answer 24

painting, sculptures, or other small accent pieces

Question 25

________ is the relationship between one part of an object or composition and another part and to the whole, or between on element and another

Answer 25

Proportion

Question 26

Proportion by definition is

Answer 26

relative

Question 27

Throughout history, mathematicians, artists, and others have attempted to discover and quantitfy the ideal proportioning system. The result?

Answer 27

The golden ratio

Question 28

What is the golden ratio?

Answer 28

A single line is divided into two unequal segments such that the ratio of the smaller part is to the larger part as the larger part is to the whole

Question 29

The golden ratio, when translated into a rectangle, is the

Answer 29

golden section

Question 30

The ratio developed by dividing a line according to these proportions is an irrational number designated by

Answer 30

the Greek letter phi Ø or ϕ

Question 31

The golden ratio is approximately equal to

Answer 31

1.618

Question 32

Related to the Golden Ratio is the

Answer 32

Fibonacci series

Question 33

What is the Fibonacci series?

Answer 33

sequence of numbers beginning with 0 and 1. Each successive number in the series is the sum of the previous two.

0, 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, 55

Question 34

In the Fibonacci series, when any number is divided by the previous term, the quotient approximates

Answer 34

the golden ratio

Question 35

Another well known proportioning system?

Answer 35

The Modulor system developed by Le Corbusier based on the human body and loosely on the golden ratio

Corbusier believed the dimensions could be used to maintain human scale in design and create unity with diversity. He also thought his system could be used to facilitate prefabrication of building elements while avoiding the repetitive monotony of a modular system with identical dimensions.