3.1.1 Visual Design Principles and Elements Identification

Barrel Chair by Frank Lloyd Wright

• Principles– Symmetrical balance

– Regular rhythm

– Focal point to the vertical lines– Proportional to human form

– Harmonious caused by use of lines and curves

• Elements– Vertical lines in front view

– Curved lines in top view– Warm brown colors of wood

– Circular shape from top

– Rectangle shape from front

– Open space (welcoming)– Used space

– Smooth texture (comforting)

– Light creates much shade– Wood creates many tints

– Fabric creates various shades and tints

Karl A. Staley Houseby Frank Lloyd Wright

Barcelona Chair by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe

• Principles– Symmetrical balance– Regular rhythm

– Focus is on the cushions

– Slightly longer than human form– Harmonious in use of pattern

• Elements– Vertical & horizontal pattern in the

cushion

– Curved lines of the legs

– Warm feel to cushions– Cool feel to the legs

– Rectangular shape

– Open space

– Smooth texture– Shade created by reflections in

metal and leather

Lake Shore Apartmentsby Ludwig Mies van der Rohe

Petite Leather Chair by Le Corbusier

• Principles– Symmetrical balance– Regular rhythm

– Focus is on the cushions

– Proportioned to human form– Harmonious in little structure

• Elements– Vertical & horizontal geometry of

the cushion

– Vertical lines of the legs

– Warm feel to cushions– Cool feel to the legs

– Rectangular shape

– Closed space (welcoming)

– Smooth texture– Shade created by light

Heidi Webber Museumby Le Corbusier

Grasshopper Chair by Eero Saarinen

• Principles– Symmetrical balance– Regular & Graduated rhythm

– Focus is on the cushions

– Proportioned to human form & structure

– Harmonious in simple structure

• Elements– Horizontal pattern of the cushion

– Curved lines of the legs– Warm feel to the cushions

– Warm feel to the legs

– Rhomboid shape

– Open space (welcoming)

– Smooth texture– Tint created by grain of wood

Gateway Archby Eero Saarinen

Tea Pot by Michael Graves

• Principles– Symmetrical shape– Graduated rhythm of tapered

cylindrical pot– Focal point is handle and spout

– Proportional to its function

– Harmonious use of metal

• Elements– Curved lines

– Cool color for hot function– Cylindrical shape

– Open space for the surface

– Smooth metal texture– Tints caused by metal reflections

Walt Disney World Dolphin Resortby Michael Graves

Leather Chair by I.M. Pei

• Principles– Symmetrical shape– Graduated rhythm

– No focal point due to single flow of color

– Proportional to human form

– Harmonious flow of shape and color

• Elements– Curved lines

– Warm color– Extruded curved shapes

– Open space

– Smooth texture from leather material

– Shade created by shape

– Tint created by leather type material

Rock n’ Roll Hall of Fame & Museumby I.M. Pei

Kettle for Alessiby Frank Gehry

• Principles– Symmetrical shape– Graduated rhythm of tapered

cylindrical pot– Focal point is handle and spout

– Proportional to its function

– Harmonious use of metal

• Elements– Curved lines

– Cool color for hot function– Cylindrical shape

– Open space for the surface

– Smooth metal texture– Tints caused by metal reflections

& grain of the wood

CWRU-Peter B. Lewis Buildingby Frank Gehry