Design Principle - Proportion


Proportion is a design principle - it refers to the relationships of parts to a whole. Our sense of harmony in art relates to an ideal distribution of sizes in the human body. We say artworks are life-sized, monumental (much larger than life-size) or miniature (very small).


silverware-proportion

Dimensions are often normal and expected. They can also be exaggerated and distorted. Sometimes sizes are idealized - more perfect than you might see in nature.

fibonacci proportion

Systems of mathematical ratios fascinate artists. The ancient Greek sculptor Polykleitos used a mathematical formula for his idealized sculptures of athletes. The height of the body was eight times the length of the head.


A related formula, discovered by the medieval mathematician Fibonacci, is a progression of numbers often seen in nature. Each number is the sum of the two numbers that go before it. The numbers are 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34 and so on. These numbers grow in size but not in ratio.

Another system, known as the Golden Section or Golden Mean, states that the dimensions of the small part (a) must relate to a larger part (b) as the larger part (b) relates to the whole (b + a). In artwork, you can use the ratio of 1 to 1.6 to draw shapes with ratios like the Golden Mean.

Scale is the relative size of something compared with what you expect. You do not expect to see a toothbrush bigger than a bed. Artists often change the normal size, scale or relationship of things to show their importance in artworks. Caricature is the use of exaggerated sizes, usually for humor and satire.



design elements and principles home



You might like these pages on this site ....

  • rhythm and movement as a design principle - art lesson plan for high school teachers

    Rhythm and Movement

    rhythm and movement as a design principle - art lesson plan for high school teachers

  • a discussion of texture as a design element, A discussion of emphasis as a design principle, with downloadable fill-in worksheet.

    Design Element - Texture

    a discussion of texture as a design element, A discussion of emphasis as a design principle, with downloadable fill-in worksheet.

  • pattern as a design principle - art lesson plan for high school teachers

    Pattern

    pattern as a design principle - art lesson plan for high school teachers

  • A discussion of Rhythm and Movement as a design principle, with downloadable fill-in worksheet.

    Design Principle - Rhythm & Movement

    A discussion of Rhythm and Movement as a design principle, with downloadable fill-in worksheet.

  • A discussion of line as a design element, with downloadable fill-in worksheet.

    Design Element - Line

    A discussion of line as a design element, with downloadable fill-in worksheet.

  • A discussion of space as a design element, with downloadable fill-in worksheet.

    Design Element - Space

    A discussion of space as a design element, with downloadable fill-in worksheet.

  • A discussion of pattern as a design principle, with downloadable fill-in worksheet.

    Design Principle - Pattern

    A discussion of pattern as a design principle, with downloadable fill-in worksheet.

  • Explanation of  color-schemes as a unifying design element, with downloadable fill-in worksheet.

    Design Element - Color Schemes

    Explanation of color-schemes as a unifying design element, with downloadable fill-in worksheet.

  • a discussion of light, color and value as elements of design, with downloadable fill-in worksheet.

    Design Element - Light, Color, Value

    a discussion of light, color and value as elements of design, with downloadable fill-in worksheet.

  • light color value as a design elements - art lesson plan for high school teachers

    Light Color Value

    light color value as a design elements - art lesson plan for high school teachers

  • emphasis as a design principle - art lesson plan for high school teachers

    Emphasis

    emphasis as a design principle - art lesson plan for high school teachers

  • space as a design element - art lesson plan for high school teachers

    Space

    space as a design element - art lesson plan for high school teachers

  • A discussion of emphasis as a design principle, with downloadable fill-in worksheet.

    Design Prinicple - Emphasis

    A discussion of emphasis as a design principle, with downloadable fill-in worksheet.

  • Line

    line as a design element - art lesson plan for high school teachers

  • Design

    Elements and Principles of Design, definitions, illustrations

  • Color Schemes

    color schemes as a design element - art lesson plan for high school teachers

  • Shape and Form

    shape and form as a design element - art lesson plan for high school teachers

  • unity and variety as a design principle - art lesson plan for high school teachers

    Unity and Variety

    unity and variety as a design principle - art lesson plan for high school teachers

  • A discussion of shape & form as elements of design, with downloadable fill-in worksheet.

    Design Element - Shape & Form

    A discussion of shape & form as elements of design, with downloadable fill-in worksheet.

  • A discussion of the design principle - balance with downloadable fill-in worksheet.

    Design Principle - Balance

    A discussion of the design principle - balance with downloadable fill-in worksheet.

  • Texture

    texture as a design element - art lesson plan for high school teachers

  • Proportion

    proportion as a design principle - art lesson plan for high school teachers

  • Elements and Principles of Design

    Links to discussions of the Elements and Principles of Design, A discussion of emphasis as a design principle, with downloadable fill-in worksheets.

  • A discusssion of Unity and Variety as a design principle, with downloadable fill-in worksheet.

    Design Principle - Unity & Variety

    A discusssion of Unity and Variety as a design principle, with downloadable fill-in worksheet.