Principles of Design and Art Movements Overview

Unity

It is the sense of harmony and wholeness in a design where all parts work together.

Harmony

It is achieved when related elements are combined to create a visually satisfying effect.

Rhythm

It is created through the repetition of visual elements to produce a sense of movement.

Variation

It introduces differences in elements to make the composition more interesting and dynamic.

Proportion

It refers to the relative size of parts within a whole.

Emphasis

It is used to draw attention to a particular area or element in a design.

Subordination (Focal Point)

It involves making certain elements less important to support the focal point.

Rule of Thirds

A guideline for placing elements off-center (along the lines or intersections of a 3x3 grid) for a more balanced composition.

Semiotic Plane

It looks at the hidden meanings or messages behind the image. It focuses on symbols and signs that represent something beyond their literal appearance.

Iconic Plane

It focuses on the visual aspect of the image—what you actually see (the realistic, recognizable objects).

Contextual Plane

It considers the background or context in which the image was created—this includes the cultural, social, historical, and political environment.

Cave Art

Drawings on cave walls, usually animals and handprints, from the prehistoric time period of 30,000 BCE.

Egyptian Art

Art from 3000-300 BCE characterized by flat, symbolic representations, profile views, and large depictions of pharaohs, exemplified by wall paintings in pyramids.

Greek Art

Art from 800-100 BCE focusing on beauty, idealism, and balance, characterized by ideal human forms and harmony, exemplified by the Statue of Zeus and Parthenon sculptures.

Roman Art

Art from 500 BCE - 476 CE known for realism and architecture, characterized by arches, domes, and realistic sculptures, exemplified by the Colosseum and busts of emperors.

Medieval Art

Art from 500-1400 CE emphasizing religion and symbolism, characterized by Christian themes, gold backgrounds, and less focus on realism, exemplified by illuminated manuscripts.

Chinese Painting

Art from ancient times to present focusing on nature and brushwork, characterized by ink on silk or paper, landscapes, and calligraphy, exemplified by scrolls showing mountains and rivers.

Ukiyo-e (Japanese Print)

Art from the 17th-19th century depicting daily life with bold colors, characterized by flat color, outlined figures, and scenes of kabuki, geisha, and nature, exemplified by Hokusai's The Great Wave.

Renaissance Art

Art from 1300-1600 marked by rebirth, realism, and perspective, characterized by humanism, 3D space, and anatomy studies, exemplified by Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa.

Mannerism

Art from the late 1500s characterized by exaggerated elegance and tension, featuring twisted figures, unusual colors, and artificial poses, exemplified by El Greco's The Disrobing of Christ.

Baroque

Art from 1600-1750 known for drama, contrast, and movement, characterized by strong light and shadow, emotion, and rich color, exemplified by Caravaggio's The Calling of St. Matthew.

Rococo

Art from the 1700s characterized by decorative, light, and playful themes, featuring pastels, elegance, and romantic scenes, exemplified by Fragonard's The Swing.

Neoclassicism

Art from the late 1700s emphasizing order, classical revival, and discipline, characterized by inspiration from Greece and Rome, clean lines, and a serious tone, exemplified by Jacques-Louis David's Oath of the Horatii.

Romanticism

Art from the 1800s focusing on emotion, nature, and imagination, characterized by dramatic and expressive themes centered on nature and heroism, exemplified by Delacroix's Liberty Leading the People.

Realism

Art from the mid-1800s depicting everyday life and truth, characterized by honest portrayals of laborers and common folk, exemplified by Courbet's The Stone Breakers.

Impressionism

Art from the 1870s-1880s focusing on light and moment, characterized by visible brushstrokes, outdoor scenes, and a focus on color and light, exemplified by Monet's Impression, Sunrise.

Symbolism

Art from the late 1800s emphasizing dreams, myths, and emotions, characterized by suggestive and mysterious symbolic figures, exemplified by Gustav Klimt's The Kiss.

Art Nouveau

Art from 1890-1910 characterized by curves, nature, and decorative elements, featuring flowing lines and floral patterns, exemplified by Alphonse Mucha's posters.

Fauvism

Art from the early 1900s known for wild color, simplicity, and bold expression, characterized by strong colors and flat shapes, exemplified by Matisse's Woman with a Hat.

Expressionism

Art from the early 20th century focusing on emotion, distortion, and intense color, characterized by emotional turmoil and bold strokes, exemplified by Edvard Munch's The Scream.

Futurism

Art from the early 20th century (1909-1916) emphasizing movement, speed, and technology, characterized by dynamic motion and the energy of city life, exemplified by Umberto Boccioni's Unique Forms of Continuity in Space.

Cubism

Art movement characterized by geometric shapes, abstraction, and multiple perspectives.

Characteristics of Cubism

Breaking objects into shapes, showing different angles at once, muted colors.

Example of Cubism

Pablo Picasso's Les Demoiselles d'Avignon

Analytic Cubism

Phase of Cubism featuring monochrome and fragmented forms.

Synthetic Cubism

Phase of Cubism that includes collage elements and brighter colors.

Abstract Art

Art that breaks away from realistic representation, using color, line, and form for expression.

Characteristics of Abstract Art

Simplified shapes and non-realistic forms.

Example of Abstract Art

Wassily Kandinsky's Composition VII

Non-Objective Art

Art that has no reference to real-world objects, focusing on color, shapes, and lines.

Characteristics of Non-Objective Art

Pure form and elements of art without a subject.

Example of Non-Objective Art

Piet Mondrian's geometric works.

Dadaism

Art movement that rejected logic and reason, embracing nonsense, chance, and shock.

Characteristics of Dadaism

Anti-art and absurdity.

Example of Dadaism

Marcel Duchamp's Fountain (urinal art).

Surrealism

Art movement that juxtaposes dream imagery and irrational scenes.

Characteristics of Surrealism

Influenced by Freud, exploring dreams and the subconscious.

Example of Surrealism

Salvador Dalí's The Persistence of Memory.

Constructivism

Art movement focused on construction and materials, emphasizing functionality and abstraction.

Characteristics of Constructivism

Use of metal, wood, and glass in art.

Example of Constructivism

Vladimir Tatlin's Monument to the Third International.

De Stijl

Art movement characterized by order, simplicity, and primary colors.

Characteristics of De Stijl

Vertical/horizontal lines, squares, and use of primary colors (red, blue, yellow), white, black.

Example of De Stijl

Piet Mondrian's Composition with Red, Blue, and Yellow.

Expressionism

Art movement that expresses inner feelings through exaggerated color, brushwork, and form.

Characteristics of Expressionism

Emotion and distortion in art.

Example of Expressionism

Edvard Munch's The Scream.

Optical Illusion Art (Op Art)

Art that uses patterns and shapes to create visual illusions of movement or depth.

Characteristics of Op Art

Visual trickery and movement.

Example of Op Art

Bridget Riley's wavy black and white designs.

Pop Art

Art movement that uses imagery from mass culture, ads, and comics.

Characteristics of Pop Art

Bright colors and bold outlines.

Example of Pop Art

Andy Warhol's Campbell's Soup Cans.

Minimalism

Art movement characterized by simplicity, purity, and reduction.

Characteristics of Minimalism

Simple geometric forms, often monochromatic.

Example of Minimalism

Donald Judd's stacked boxes.

Conceptual Art

Art that focuses on the concept behind the work rather than its aesthetic.

Characteristics of Conceptual Art

Emphasis on idea over object.

Example of Conceptual Art

Sol LeWitt's instructions for wall drawings.

Photo-Realism

Art movement characterized by hyper-realistic paintings that resemble high-resolution photographs.

Characteristics of Photo-Realism

Artists replicate every detail using photos as references.

Example of Photo-Realism

Chuck Close's massive portraits and Richard Estes' cityscapes with reflections.

Installation Art

3D artworks designed to transform a space and immerse the viewer.

Time Period of Installation Art

1960s-present

Characteristics of Installation Art

May include light, sound, objects, and interaction.

Body Art

Art that uses the artist's own body as part of the medium.

Characteristics of Body Art

Explores identity, pain, or beauty.

Earth and Land Art

Art made in nature using natural materials like rocks, soil, or water. Often temporary and affected by weather/time.

Performance Art

Combines visual art with live performance, can include movement, sound, audience participation.

Baroque Period

A music period from 1600-1750 characterized by highly decorative music with complex melodies and the use of contrast (loud/soft, solo/group).

Classical Period

A music period from 1750-1820 emphasizing form and order (e.g., sonata-allegro form) with clear, elegant melodies.

Romantic Period

A music period from 1820-1900 focused on individual expression and emotional depth, with themes of love, nature, and nationalism.

Modern Period

A music period from 1900-present characterized by experimentation, dissonance, and innovation, breaking traditional rules.

Crafting Images

The process of expressing inner thoughts, emotions, and experiences through visual art (paintings, drawings, photography, digital art).

Crafting Stories

Using writing or spoken word to communicate experiences, beliefs, values, and dreams, aiding in self-discovery and soul expression.

Keywords of Earth and Land Art

nature, outdoor, environment

Keywords of Performance Art

live, action, time-based

Keywords of Baroque Period

ornamented, dramatic, contrast, harpsichord

Keywords of Classical Period

balance, clarity, structure, symphony

Keywords of Romantic Period

emotion, nationalism, storytelling, drama

Keywords of Modern Period

experimentation, dissonance, innovation, variety

Instruments of Baroque Period

Harpsichord, violin, organ, flute, trumpet

Instruments of Classical Period

Piano (replaces harpsichord), strings, woodwinds, brass, percussion

Instruments of Romantic Period

Expanded orchestra, expressive piano music

Instruments of Modern Period

Traditional instruments, plus electronic synthesizers and experimental sounds

Famous Composers of Baroque Period

Johann Sebastian Bach, Antonio Vivaldi, George Frideric Handel

Famous Composers of Classical Period

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Ludwig van Beethoven, Franz Joseph Haydn

Famous Composers of Romantic Period

Frédéric Chopin, Franz Liszt, Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Johannes Brahms

Famous Composers of Modern Period

Igor Stravinsky, John Cage, Philip Glass, Claude Debussy

Crafting Instrumental

Creating instrumental music to express what words or visuals cannot. A non-verbal way of crafting emotion and meaning through melodies, harmonies, and tempo.