- Definition
Principles of design are like a recipe for a good picture, helping artists arrange things so the artwork looks good and makes sense to whoever is looking at it. They include ideas like balance, emphasis, and rhythm, which help make the art pleasing to the eye.
Making the sun in a drawing extra large and bright yellow is using emphasis to make it the most important part.
How to teach this in 30 seconds
Try this analogy: Principles of design are like the different tools in a toolbox that help you make a picture look interesting.
Ask your child: What part of your picture do you want people to see first?
Common mix-up: Kids might think art has no rules at all. These principles are like helpful hints, not strict rules, that make a picture feel complete and interesting to look at.
Examples
- Placing a big tree on one side and a group of flowers on the other helps balance the picture.
- Repeating a shape, like drawing waves across the water, creates rhythm.
- Using both big and small flowers in a garden drawing adds variety.
principles of design is a term used in Ontario’s Kindergarten to Grade 8 curriculum.
Where this shows up
+8 more mentions across the curriculum
The descriptions on this page are SmartStudy’s own original, plain-language writing — not the Ministry’s wording. They are aligned to the Ontario Curriculum, © King’s Printer for Ontario. For the Ministry’s official wording, see the source link below. SmartStudy is an independent service and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the Government of Ontario or the Ministry of Education. Ontario Curriculum and Resources ↗
