the principle elements of design

visual triggers to aid in formal analysis + critique

These pointers will guide you when thinking about the composition of your design, in critique when looking at the work of others, or when completing your research papers.

How is visual unity established in the your composition, or a composition you are observing?

Link to this page from the Educational Department at The J. Paul Getty Museum in CA for more pointers 
Principles of Design

Concentrate on the formal elements and design principles of a given work > color, shape, volume, line, value, texture, space, rhythm, composition.

How is each element functioning within the composition? 

What is activating them specifically?
And finally, what are they expressing? 

consider these:

• Qualities + potential of LINE

• Qualities + potential of MOVEMENT + DIRECTION

• Qualities + potential of FORM + VOLUME

• Qualities + potential of TEXTURE

• Qualities + potential of SPACE

• Qualities + potential of VISUAL WEIGHT

• Qualities + potential of REPETITION + RHYTHM

• Qualities + potential of COLOR

• Qualities + potential of the physical MATERIALS (grounds, supports, paint quality, other)

PROPERTIES OF MATERIALS // Material Thinking :: How do materials add to the potential of meaning?

•  Consider others i.e. location of painting, etc.