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Principles of Design

Eighth graders learn the principles of design — balance, contrast, emphasis, movement, and unity — the “rules” artists use to arrange the elements of art into powerful, intentional compositions.

Grade 8Design50 minutes1 class periodArtistic ProcessExplicit teaching4 StandardsNCAS
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Lesson at a Glance

Everything you need before the bell rings

Learning Objectives

Students will be able to…

  • ✓Name the principles.
  • ✓Explain balance & contrast.
  • ✓Find emphasis.
  • ✓Use principles in art.
Essential Question

If the elements of art (line, color, shape) are the ingredients, the principles of design are the recipe. How do artists arrange elements to create a strong composition?

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Lesson Phases
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Vocabulary Terms
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Standards Aligned
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Interactive Task
Explore · Interactive

The Principles of Design Explorer

Project this and tap each principle. Have students learn how artists arrange elements into strong compositions.

⚖️ Explore the principles of design — tap eachTry it

The Lesson · Artistic Process (Look · Explore · Create · Share · Reflect)

50 minutes, five moves

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

1

Look — Ingredients vs. Recipe

5 min

Elements are the ingredients — principles are the recipe. How do artists arrange them?

👩‍🏫 Teacher Moves

  • Show a strong composition.
  • Ask what makes it work.
  • Set the goal.

🎒 Student Actions

  • Look.
  • Analyze.
  • Predict.
2

Explore — Explore the Principles

11 min

Students explore.

👩‍🏫 Teacher Moves

  • Send students to the Principles Explorer.
  • Note each principle.
  • Find them in art.

🎒 Student Actions

  • Tap each.
  • Note them.
  • Find them.
3

Create — Create

16 min

Students create.

👩‍🏫 Teacher Moves

  • Compose using a principle.
  • Create a focal point.
  • Balance the design.

🎒 Student Actions

  • Compose it.
  • Add emphasis.
  • Balance it.
4

Share — Share

13 min

Students share.

👩‍🏫 Teacher Moves

  • Show their composition.
  • Name the principles used.
  • Give critique.

🎒 Student Actions

  • Show it.
  • Name them.
  • Critique.
5

Reflect — Reflect

5 min

Students respond.

👩‍🏫 Teacher Moves

  • Name a principle.
  • Explain its use.
  • 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:Re7.2.8

Analyze how principles of design shape a work.

NCAS
VA:Cr2.1.8

Use design principles in artmaking.

NCAS
VA:Cr1.2.8

Plan compositions intentionally.

NCAS
VA:Re7.1.8

Perceive principles in art and the world.

Differentiation

One lesson, every learner

Multilingual Learners

ELL / EMERGING READERS
  • Principle + example cards.
  • Sentence frame: “This uses ___.”
  • Analyze art prints.

Support & Access

IEP / 504
  • Start with balance and contrast.
  • Use clear examples.
  • Focus on one principle.

Stretch & Extend

GIFTED / EARLY FINISHERS
  • Analyze a masterpiece’s design.
  • Redesign for emphasis.
  • Combine principles.
Materials

What to gather

  • 📽️Projector / board
  • 🖼️Art prints
  • 💻The Principles Explorer
  • 🖌️Art supplies
  • 📄Paper
  • 🎫Exit-ticket slips
Vocabulary

Key terms — hover for a quick definition

principles of designrules for arranging art elementsbalancehow visual weight is distributedcontrastdifferences that create interestemphasisthe focal point of a workmovementhow the eye travels through artrhythmrepetition that creates flowunitya sense of wholenessvarietydifferences that add interest
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
Name two principles of design.
Sample: balance, contrast, emphasis, movement, or unity.
QUESTION 2
What is emphasis in a composition?
The focal point — the part the artist most wants you to notice.
QUESTION 3
What is the difference between elements and principles?
Elements are the parts (line, color); principles are how those parts are arranged.

Reflect: design analysis.

Have students analyze a favorite artwork and identify two principles of design the artist used. 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, contrast, emphasis, movement, principles of design, rhythm, unity, variety
  1. rules for arranging art elements
  2. a sense of wholeness
  3. differences that create interest
  4. how the eye travels through art
  5. how visual weight is distributed
  6. differences that add interest
  7. the focal point of a work
  8. repetition that creates flow

Part B · Show what you learned

  1. Name two principles of design.
  2. What is emphasis in a composition?
  3. What is the difference between elements and principles?
Answer key — Part A: 1) principles of design · 2) unity · 3) contrast · 4) movement · 5) balance · 6) variety · 7) emphasis · 8) rhythm
Part B: 1) Sample: balance, contrast, emphasis, movement, or unity. 2) The focal point — the part the artist most wants you to notice. 3) Elements are the parts (line, color); principles are how those parts are arranged.