1. DESIGN PRINCIPLES
ALEXANDRIA MISTHOS – OCTOBER 2011 – PHOTO 1

2. SHAPE / FORM
• Definition: an area that stands out from the spaces
around it due to differences of value, color, or
texture.

3. LEADING LINES
• Definition: used to draw the viewer’s eye through
the photo; intentional/unintentional, natural lines

4. TEXTURE
• Definition: perceived surface quality

5. COLOR
• Definition: used to draw attention to a particular
part of the image.

6. SYMMETRICAL BALANCE
• Definition: having equal “weight” on both sides of a
picture.

7. ASYMMETRICAL BALANCE
• Definition: objects in a photo are placed so that the
viewer’s sense of balance comes into play

8. GRADIENT
• Definition: a color or grey tone that changes in
density.

9. REPETITION
• Definition: the appearance of a given element in
the same frame more than once.

10. PATTERN
• Definition: the repetition of an element in a work

11. CONTRAST
• Definition: the difference in visual properties that
makes an object distinguishable from other objects
and the background.

12. DOMINANCE
• Definition: when certain elements take on more
importance than others in the same picture

13. PROPORTION
• Definition: lends a sense of balance and harmony
to the picture

14. UNITY
• Definition: a feeling of completeness is created by
the use of elements in artwork

15. NEGATIVE SPACE
• Definition: neutral space used to emphasize and
isolate the subject

16. RULE OF THIRDS
• Definition: explains what part of an image the
human eye is most strongly drawn to first

17. VISUAL CENTER
• Definition: where the focal or center point of each
picture falls