Principles of Design – Basic 4 Cultural & Creative Arts Lesson Note (Second Term)

What are Principles of Design?

Principles of design are rules that help us arrange things to make them look beautiful and organized.

7 Basic Principles of Design

1. Balance

Making things look equal on both sides

• Example: Same number of flowers on left and right

2. Unity

All parts work together and look like they belong

• Example: Using same colors in a picture

3. Emphasis

Making one thing stand out as most important

• Example: Big red flower among small white ones

4. Rhythm

Repeating things to create a pattern

• Example: Red-blue-red-blue-red-blue

5. Proportion

Making sure sizes look right together

• Example: Big body with big head, not tiny head

6. Contrast

Using opposites to make things interesting

• Example: Light colors next to dark colors

7. Movement

Leading the eye from one place to another

• Example: Arrow pointing to important words

EXERCISES

Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks

1. ________ makes things look equal on both sides
2. ________ means all parts work together
3. ________ makes one thing stand out
4. ________ is repeating things in a pattern

Exercise 2: True or False

1. Balance means things look equal ____
2. Unity means parts don’t belong together ____
3. Emphasis makes something stand out ____
4. Rhythm creates patterns ____

Exercise 3: Match the Principles

Draw lines to connect:

• Balance → Making one thing most important
• Emphasis → Things look equal on both sides
• Rhythm → Repeating patterns
• Unity → All parts work together

Exercise 4: Find the Principle

Look at these examples and write which principle they show:

1. A big red circle among small blue circles: ________
2. Same flowers on left and right sides: ________
3. Red-white-red-white pattern: ________
4. All green colors in one drawing: ________

Exercise 5: Choose the Best Answer

Circle the correct example:

1. Balance: Same on both sides / Different on both sides
2. Contrast: Same colors / Opposite colors
3. Unity: Things belong together / Things don’t match
4. Proportion: Right sizes / Wrong sizes