Project 8: Elements of Art and Principles of Design

This is a two part project, it consists of a photoshoot and then you will use the pictures from the photoshoot to create posters for each of the elements and principles.  A majority of your time spent will be putting together the posters.

Part 1:

For this part of the project, you will take one photograph that focuses on each of the 13 elements of art and principles of design listed below

The elements of art are the concrete, basic parts of an image:

1. Texture – Actual or implied surface quality

2. Shape – A flat area bound by line or other elements of art, can either be organic or geometric

3. Form – A shape in three-dimensions, or a shape that gives the illusion of three-dimensions.  Usually has strong highlights and shadows to show the dimensionality of an object
4.  Line – A continuous mark with a greater length than width

5. Space – The distance between or around objects; positive space is your subject(s), while negative space is the background information or the area in between objects

6. Value – The lightness or darkness of a color – think of a monochromatic color scheme

7. Color – Also known as hue, color is created by the light that reflects from an object. When photographing to demonstrate color - think about utilizing the color schemes discussed in the colorized black and white project

The principles of design are an arrangement of the elements of art.  They help you carefully plan and organize your use of elements of art so that your artwork will attract attention and hold interest:

8. Balance – Objects having equal or similar visual weight; arranging elements so that no one part of a work overpowers, or seems heavier than any other part.  Balance can be symmetrical, asymmetrical, or radial.

9. Emphasis – Elements of art creating interest and drawing the eye to a certain area of the composition 

10. Movement - The suggestion or illusion of motion in a design

11. Contrast - Using elements that conflict with one another; for example light and dark values, color opposites (complementary colors), smooth and rough texture, etc.

12. Rhythm – Some elements recurring regularly in a path indicating movement or continuity; it can make the composition appear active.  Similar to unity, but the elements should occur in a regular path or pattern
13. Unity – Elements of art working together to create a cohesive composition, element occurring irregularly throughout a composition.  Similar to rhythm, but the elements are not following a distinct path

Part 2:

You will create 13 posters - one for each of the elements and principles.  Each poster will be 8.5x11 inches (or 11x8.5") and a minimum of 180-300 resolution.  You can use either photoshop/photopea or canva to make your posters.  Your posters will all contain the following:

• The name of the element/principle
• The given definition of the element/principle.  You may copy and paste the definitions above (please do not include the writing in italics from the definitions, those are points I put there to help you take effective photos of each concept).
• 3 photos (at least 1 should be your photo from the photoshoot - the other two can be photos from old assignments, or found images (give the artist credit if you are using someone else's work), or other types of graphics (for example - for color you can use a color wheel, for value, a value scale, etc)
• A brief description for each of the 3 images on why you used it for that particular element/principle.  Try to avoid the obvious sentence starter of "I chose this picture because...."  As long as you have a good reason why you chose your images for each element/principle, this part should be fairly simple and you should have a good, well thought out description to write.  A poster should have minimal words, so your description should not be long, but should be concise and meaningful.  Your description demonstrates your understanding of the element/prinicple, so this is the main thing I will be looking for when grading your projects.

Examples: