Design+Principles

7 Design Principles - Kangni Chen
Dynamic "S" Arrangement - The dynamic "s" arrangement forces the eye to move around the image. This principle works as it allows the viewer to follow the changes in direction of a picture instead of just focussing on a single point. - This picture makes me feel very small. - In the picture, the river is framed on both sides by land and mountains. Also, the colors are very balanced. There are three main colors present in this photo: blue, green, and white in all different shades. - The lighting seems to be coming shining down onto the center of the river, where there is a bright patch of cloud reflected. - You can tell the different types of texture in this photo. The river is very smooth, with no ridges protruding while the mountains seem more rugged and hard to touch. - The focus of the photo is mainly on the river. - The background of this photo is mainly mountains in the horizon. - I think this photo is reflecting the peaceful serenity that nature brings and how vast the earth really is.

Direction - Direction in a photo leads the viewer around the photo and encourages motion in the photograph. This principle works because it makes the picture seems as if it is travelling instead of staying still. - This picture gives me a mysterious feel. There seems to be a light mist in the photo, making the trees look more eerie. - There is a balance between the blacks and whites in this photo. The trees seem to all bend to the left as if they're following the path the man is taking, and it makes my eyes travel towards that direction. - The lighting seems to be coming up ahed from the trail, as if there might be a clearing there. -You can see the moss on the trees, which seems to have a rough texture. Also, the path looks as if it might feel soggy and you might sink into it as it looks as if it has recently rained. - The focus of the photo is mainly on the first tree. The picture is most clear there. - In the background, there is a man walking along the tree-lined path. I think including him in the photo adds more mystery. It makes me ask questions like "Who is the man?" or Why is he on this path?" - I think this photo is about the winding road that people have to travel throughout their lives. There are always unexpected twists and turns to life.

Element Relationships Element relationships creates the impression that the elements in the photo are interacting. The elements interacting produces a harmonious result. This principle works because it balances the photo and gives it a congruous feel. - This picture makes me feel very happy because the penguins are so cute to look at. - The orange color of the penguins shows up very clearly against the more neutral shades of black and white. It makes the picture seem more vivid. - The lighting seems to be coming form the left and shining on the penguin on the right. His orange colors seem to be just a tad brighter than the other penguin's. - The penguin's feathers look soft to touch. They seem to have a velvety texture. - The focus of this photo is mainly on the two penguins looking at each other. - The background is created with various other penguins gathered together. The background is unfocused and the penguins all have the same colors, so it looks just like a blur of orange, white, and black. - I think this photo is showing how penguins interact with each other. It's showing how cute animals can be.

Depth - Depth draws the viewer into the photograph and invites the viewer to wonder about what lies beyond what they can see. This principle works because it makes the viewer's eyes travel with the picture and makes them think about what lies ahead. - This picture makes me feel quite peaceful. - The colors in this photo are all earthy tones and they do not clash. The steps are balanced as it is surrounded from trees from both sides. - The lighting seems to be hitting the left side of the picture and coming from the right. - In the picture everything seems to be covered in leaves. The path seems to have a soft texture as there are leaves covering it. - The focus of the photo is on the first few steps of the stairs. The first tree on the left is also in focus. - The background is a forest of trees steadily climbing upwards along a path of stone steps. - I think this photo is showing the colors of autumn, and what the forest looks like on a crisp fall day.

Balance - Balance is a way of making pictures look harmonious. It is composed of a balance in direction and motion, in color, and geometrically. - This picture makes me feel tranquil. The water is perfectly still, and there are no ripples going through it. - The picture is balanced because the boat is reflected in the water so it looks like there are two. There is symmetry in the photo. - The lighting is coming from the left of the boat because there is a bit of shadow behind the white pillar cast towards the right. - The boat is made of wood and looks smooth to touch on the painted parts. The pillar in the background also looks like it would be smooth. - The focus of the photo is on the boat and it's reflection. - The background is of a dock with a white pillar. - I think this picture is about a nice peaceful day where the water is absolutely still and how it is a wonderful day to sail.

Triangles - The important elements in the picture are framed in triangles. - This picture makes me feel nostalgic. It reminds me of summer when the weather was warm. - This picture uses the principles of triangles and diagonals. - The lighting is coming from the right side of the picture. - The texture of the structure seems to be hard and smooth because it seems to be made of metal. - The focus of the photo is mainly on the structure - The background is of the sky and the color it turns when the sun sets. - I think this photo is about the memories of past summers and how beautiful the sunsets were.

Diagonals - Diagonals give a photo direction and motion. It also leads the eye in and out of the image. - This picture makes me feel as if something big is coming. The sky seems to be forewarning something. - This picture is color balanced as it only uses neutral shades. Also, the diagonals leads the eyes in the direction they point. - The lighting seems to be shining on the left side of the photo as it is brighter than the right. - The texture of the wire seems to be smooth as there doesn't seem to be anything sharp sticking out. The pole looks hard to the touch. - The focus of the photo is mainly on the wire leading diagonally across the photo. It shows the sharp contrast of the metal compared to the sky. - The background of this photo is of a sky. It seems to be stormy. - I think this photo is about a forewarning of a storm that is coming.