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Principles of Design

Fifth graders learn the principles of design — balance, contrast, emphasis, pattern, and rhythm — the “rules” artists use to arrange the elements of art into a strong, pleasing whole.

Grade 5Design40 minutes1 class periodArtistic ProcessExplicit teaching4 StandardsNCAS
Start the Lesson
Lesson at a Glance

Everything you need before the bell rings

Learning Objectives

Students will be able to…

  • ✓Name design principles.
  • ✓Explain each principle.
  • ✓Match principles to meanings.
  • ✓Use them in art.
Essential Question

If the elements of art are the ingredients, the principles of design are the RECIPE for putting them together well. What are the principles of design?

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Lesson Phases
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Vocabulary Terms
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Standards Aligned
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Interactive Task
Match It · Interactive

Match the Design Principle

Project this and match each principle of design to its meaning — tap a principle, then tap its meaning.

🎨 Match each design principle to its meaningTry it
Principle
What It Means
Now tap its meaning!
The Lesson · Artistic Process (Look · Explore · Create · Share · Reflect)

40 minutes, five moves

Tap any phase to open the teacher moves and student actions.

1

Look — The Recipe

5 min

Elements are the ingredients; principles are the recipe — what are they?

👩‍🏫 Teacher Moves

  • Show a well-designed work.
  • Ask what makes it work.
  • Get ready.

🎒 Student Actions

  • Look.
  • Wonder.
  • Get ready.
2

Explore — Design Principles

10 min

Children explore.

👩‍🏫 Teacher Moves

  • Send children to Match the Design Principle.
  • Match each one.
  • Find them in art.

🎒 Student Actions

  • Match.
  • Find.
  • Name.
3

Create — Create

11 min

Children create.

👩‍🏫 Teacher Moves

  • Use balance in a design.
  • Add contrast.
  • Create emphasis.

🎒 Student Actions

  • Balance it.
  • Contrast it.
  • Emphasize.
4

Share — Share

9 min

Children share.

👩‍🏫 Teacher Moves

  • Show your design.
  • Name a principle you used.
  • Give kind feedback.

🎒 Student Actions

  • Show it.
  • Name it.
  • Feedback.
5

Reflect — Reflect

5 min

Children respond.

👩‍🏫 Teacher Moves

  • Name a principle.
  • Explain it.
  • Complete the exit ticket.

🎒 Student Actions

  • Name one.
  • Explain it.
  • Complete the exit ticket.
Standards Alignment

Built to the standards you report on

Aligned to the National Core Arts Standards (Visual Arts).

NCAS
VA:Cr2.1.5

Use principles of design.

NCAS
VA:Re7.2.5

Analyze design in artworks.

NCAS
VA:Cr1.2.5

Plan using design principles.

NCAS
VA:Re8.1.5

Interpret design choices.

Differentiation

One lesson, every learner

Multilingual Learners

ELL / EMERGING READERS
  • Principle + meaning cards.
  • Sentence frame: “___ is when ___.”
  • Use art examples.

Support & Access

IEP / 504
  • Start with balance and pattern.
  • Match one pair at a time.
  • Use examples.

Stretch & Extend

GIFTED / EARLY FINISHERS
  • Analyze a famous work.
  • Combine principles.
  • Redesign for emphasis.
Materials

What to gather

  • 📽️Screen / board
  • 🎨Art examples
  • 💻Match the Design Principle
  • ✏️Sketch paper
  • 🖌️Art supplies
  • 🎫Exit-ticket slips
Vocabulary

Key terms — hover for a quick definition

principle of designa rule for arranging artbalanceboth sides feel evencontrastbig differences that stand outemphasisa part that draws the eyepatternrepeating shapes or colorsrhythmrepetition that creates movementunitywhen it all works togethercompositionhow art is arranged
Evaluate

Exit Ticket

Preview the three formative checks. Tap “Sample answer” to see what mastery looks like — hide them before you print for students.

QUESTION 1
What is balance in design?
When both sides of the art feel even.
QUESTION 2
What is emphasis?
When one part draws your eye first.
QUESTION 3
What is pattern?
When shapes or colors repeat.

Reflect: use a principle.

Have students name one design principle and describe how they’d use it in an artwork. A printable principles sheet is in the Arts library.

Study · Flashcards

Study the key terms

Tap a card to flip it, then rate whether you knew it. Built from this lesson’s vocabulary.

🃏 Principles of DesignFlip
Card 1
Term
Tap to flip →
Meaning
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Practice · Quiz

Check your understanding

A quick self-check with instant feedback, drawn from this lesson’s key terms.

📝 Principles of DesignQuiz
Score: 0
1 / 6
Question 1
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Nice work!

Practice · Worksheet

Printable worksheet

A print-and-go review sheet with a built-in answer key. Tap “Show answer key” to reveal answers, or print the clean version for students.

🖨️ Principles of DesignPrint
Name: ________________________
Date: ____________

Part A · Write the word that matches each meaning

Word bank: balance, composition, contrast, emphasis, pattern, principle of design, rhythm, unity
  1. a part that draws the eye
  2. when it all works together
  3. how art is arranged
  4. a rule for arranging art
  5. repeating shapes or colors
  6. big differences that stand out
  7. repetition that creates movement
  8. both sides feel even

Part B · Show what you learned

  1. What is balance in design?
  2. What is emphasis?
  3. What is pattern?
Answer key — Part A: 1) emphasis · 2) unity · 3) composition · 4) principle of design · 5) pattern · 6) contrast · 7) rhythm · 8) balance
Part B: 1) When both sides of the art feel even. 2) When one part draws your eye first. 3) When shapes or colors repeat.