Standards Alignment
- TEKS.117.203.01C primary
compare and contrast the principles of design, including emphasis, repetition/pattern, movement/rhythm, contrast/variety, balance, proportion, and unity, in personal artworks using vocabulary accurately; and - TEKS.117.203.01D primary
understand and apply the expressive properties of artworks such as appropriation, meaning, narrative, message, and symbol using art vocabulary accurately.
Lesson Overview
This Grade 7 art lesson guides students to compare and contrast the principles of design—emphasis, repetition/pattern, movement/rhythm, contrast/variety, balance, proportion, and unity—in their own artworks. Students will use accurate art vocabulary to describe these principles and understand how expressive properties like meaning, narrative, and symbolism enhance their personal artworks. The lesson builds visual literacy through observation, creation, and reflection, aligned with TEKS standards for Middle School Art Foundations.
Learning Objectives
- Identify and use the principles of design—emphasis, repetition/pattern, movement/rhythm, contrast/variety, balance, proportion, and unity—in personal artworks.
- Compare and contrast how these principles appear and function in different personal artworks using correct art vocabulary.
- Understand and apply expressive properties such as meaning, narrative, message, and symbol in artworks using accurate art vocabulary.
Success Criteria
- Students can accurately define and identify each principle of design in artworks.
- Students can explain similarities and differences in the use of design principles in their own and peers' artworks.
- Students can describe the expressive qualities of artworks, including meaning and symbolism, using appropriate vocabulary.
Prerequisite Knowledge
Students should be familiar with basic art vocabulary and have experience creating personal artworks. They should understand that artworks communicate ideas and emotions through visual elements and design principles.
Key Vocabulary
- Emphasis
- Repetition/Pattern
- Movement/Rhythm
- Contrast/Variety
- Balance
- Proportion
- Unity
- Appropriation
- Meaning
- Narrative
- Message
- Symbol
Materials and Resources
- Examples of personal artworks by students or artists (printed or digital)
- Art supplies for creating personal artworks (paper, pencils, paints, etc.)
- Art vocabulary reference chart or handout
- Reflection journals or paper for writing
Teacher Preparation
- Prepare a selection of artworks that clearly demonstrate different principles of design.
- Create or gather an art vocabulary chart defining key terms.
- Plan guided questions to help students observe and discuss artworks.
- Set up materials for students to create or revise personal artworks.
Detailed Lesson Notes
Principles of Design Definitions and Examples
The principles of design are guidelines artists use to organize the elements of art in their work. Emphasis draws attention to a focal point. Repetition or pattern involves repeating elements to create rhythm or unity. Movement or rhythm guides the viewer's eye through the artwork. Contrast or variety uses differences in color, shape, or texture to create interest. Balance is the distribution of visual weight, which can be symmetrical or asymmetrical. Proportion refers to the size relationships between parts of the artwork. Unity is the harmony of all parts working together to create a cohesive whole. Teachers should provide visual examples illustrating each principle clearly.
Comparing and Contrasting Principles in Personal Artworks
Students examine their own and peers' artworks to identify which principles of design are used and how. For example, one artwork might use strong emphasis with a bright color focal point, while another uses repetition of shapes to create rhythm. Comparing these helps students understand how different principles can achieve different effects and messages. Encourage students to use specific vocabulary when describing these differences and similarities.
Expressive Properties in Artworks
Beyond design principles, artworks express meaning, narrative, messages, and symbols. Appropriation means borrowing or referencing existing ideas or images. Meaning is what the artwork communicates to the viewer. Narrative is the story told through the artwork. Symbols are objects or images that represent ideas. Students should reflect on what their artworks express and how design principles support these expressive qualities.
Observation and Reflection Strategies
Teach students to observe artworks carefully, noting how design principles and expressive properties work together. Use guiding questions such as: What draws your attention first? How does the repetition affect the feeling of the artwork? What story or message do you think the artist is sharing? Students can write or discuss their observations, supporting their ideas with vocabulary and examples from the artworks.
Common Misconceptions and Clarifications
Students may confuse elements of art (like line or color) with principles of design (like balance or emphasis). Clarify that elements are the building blocks, while principles are the ways those elements are arranged. Another misconception is that all artworks must have perfect balance or symmetry; explain that asymmetrical balance is also a valid and dynamic design choice. Emphasize that unity does not mean everything looks the same but that all parts work together harmoniously.
Worked Examples
Worked Example 1
Scenario
Look at two personal artworks: Artwork A uses a bright red circle in the center to draw attention, while Artwork B repeats blue triangles across the page creating a pattern. Compare and contrast the principles of design used in these artworks.
Explanation
Artwork A uses emphasis by placing a bright red circle centrally, making it the focal point. Artwork B uses repetition/pattern by repeating blue triangles, creating rhythm and unity. The two artworks use different principles to guide the viewer’s attention and create visual interest.
Answer Guide
Artwork A emphasizes one area to attract attention, while Artwork B uses repeated shapes to create a pattern and rhythm. Both use design principles but in different ways to organize the artwork.
Engage
Teacher Activity
Show several personal artworks (student-created or by artists) that highlight different principles of design. Ask students to look closely and share what they notice about how the artworks are organized visually.
Student Activity
Observe the artworks and discuss initial impressions. Identify any design principles they recognize and share thoughts with the class.
Explanation
This activity activates prior knowledge and curiosity about how artists use design principles to create meaning and visual interest.
Examples
- Students identify focal points or areas of emphasis.
- Students notice repeated patterns or rhythmic elements.
- Students describe movement or flow in the artwork.
Explore
Teacher Activity
Guide students to work in pairs to examine a set of personal artworks, noting which principles of design are present and how they differ or are similar between artworks.
Student Activity
In pairs, use art vocabulary to compare and contrast the use of emphasis, repetition, movement, contrast, balance, proportion, and unity in the artworks.
Explanation
This phase deepens understanding by applying vocabulary to real examples and encourages collaborative learning.
Examples
- Students use vocabulary accurately to describe design principles.
- Students articulate differences and similarities in artworks' design.
- Students support observations with visual evidence from the artworks.
Explain
Teacher Activity
Present clear definitions and examples of each principle of design and expressive property. Model how to describe an artwork using this vocabulary, highlighting both design and meaning.
Student Activity
Take notes and ask questions about the principles and expressive properties. Practice describing a sample artwork using the correct terms.
Explanation
Direct instruction clarifies concepts and vocabulary, providing a foundation for analysis and creation.
Examples
- Students can define each principle and expressive property.
- Students use vocabulary in context during discussion.
- Students begin to connect design principles to expressive qualities.
Elaborate
Teacher Activity
Assign students to create or revise a personal artwork focusing on applying at least three principles of design thoughtfully. Encourage them to consider expressive properties and prepare to explain their choices.
Student Activity
Create or modify an artwork using emphasis, repetition, movement, or other principles. Write or orally share how these principles and expressive qualities are used in their work.
Explanation
This phase allows students to apply their knowledge creatively and reflect on their artistic decisions.
Examples
- Students demonstrate intentional use of design principles.
- Students articulate the expressive meaning behind their artwork.
- Students use art vocabulary accurately in explanations.
Evaluate
Teacher Activity
Facilitate a class discussion or individual presentations where students compare and contrast their artworks using the principles of design and expressive properties vocabulary. Use an exit ticket to assess understanding.
Student Activity
Present or discuss their artwork and compare it with others, explaining similarities and differences in design and meaning. Complete a short written or oral reflection.
Explanation
Assessment through discussion and reflection confirms students' mastery of comparing and contrasting design principles and expressive qualities.
Examples
- Students accurately compare and contrast artworks using vocabulary.
- Students reflect thoughtfully on their own and others’ artworks.
- Students demonstrate understanding of expressive properties.
Classroom Activity
In pairs, use art vocabulary to compare and contrast the use of emphasis, repetition, movement, contrast, balance, proportion, and unity in the artworks.
Guided Practice
Guided Practice 1
Prompt
Name three principles of design and give a simple definition for each.
Teacher Answer Guide
Emphasis: making one part stand out; Repetition/Pattern: repeating elements to create rhythm; Balance: distributing visual weight evenly or unevenly.
Guided Practice 2
Prompt
Look at your artwork and identify two principles of design you used. Explain how you used them.
Teacher Answer Guide
Students identify principles like emphasis or balance and describe their use, e.g., "I used emphasis by making the main character larger and brighter than the background."
Guided Practice 3
Prompt
Compare your artwork with a classmate’s. Describe one similarity and one difference in how you both used the principle of movement/rhythm.
Teacher Answer Guide
Similarity: both use diagonal lines to guide the eye. Difference: one uses repeated shapes for rhythm, the other uses flowing lines for movement.
Guided Practice 4
Prompt
Explain how the principle of contrast/variety affects the mood or message of an artwork you observe.
Teacher Answer Guide
Contrast creates excitement or tension by using different colors or shapes, highlighting important parts and expressing emotions.
Guided Practice 5
Prompt
Analyze how unity and proportion work together in a personal artwork to support its overall meaning or narrative.
Teacher Answer Guide
Unity connects all parts harmoniously, while proportion emphasizes important elements by size, helping tell a clear story or message.
Independent Practice
- Foundational: Name three principles of design and give a simple definition for each.
- Developing: Look at your artwork and identify two principles of design you used. Explain how you used them.
- Application: Compare your artwork with a classmate’s. Describe one similarity and one difference in how you both used the principle of movement/rhythm.
- Analysis: Explain how the principle of contrast/variety affects the mood or message of an artwork you observe.
- Challenge: Analyze how unity and proportion work together in a personal artwork to support its overall meaning or narrative.
Independent Practice Teacher Answer Key
- 1. Emphasis: making one part stand out; Repetition/Pattern: repeating elements to create rhythm; Balance: distributing visual weight evenly or unevenly.
- 2. Students should identify principles like emphasis or balance and describe how they applied them, e.g., "I used emphasis by making the main character larger and brighter than the background."
- 3. A similarity might be both artworks guide the eye using diagonal lines (movement). A difference could be one uses repeated shapes (rhythm) while the other uses flowing lines to create movement.
- 4. Contrast can create excitement or tension by using different colors or shapes, which may highlight important parts or express emotions, changing how the viewer feels about the artwork.
- 5. Unity ensures all parts of the artwork feel connected, while proportion controls the size relationships to emphasize important elements. Together, they help the artwork tell a clear story or convey a message effectively.
Guiding Questions
- What design principles do you see in this artwork?
- How do different artworks use emphasis or balance?
- What story or message is the artist trying to share?
- How do repetition and rhythm affect the feeling of the artwork?
- In what ways do your artworks show unity or variety?
Common Misconceptions
- Confusing elements of art (line, color) with principles of design (balance, emphasis).
- Believing all artworks must have symmetrical balance; asymmetrical balance is also effective.
- Thinking unity means everything looks the same rather than working harmoniously.
- Assuming expressive properties like meaning are separate from design principles rather than interconnected.
Differentiation
Support and Intervention
Provide vocabulary cards with definitions and examples. Use visual aids and step-by-step guided observations. Allow students to work in pairs for discussion and support.
English-Language Learner Support
Use simple language and visuals to explain vocabulary. Provide sentence frames for describing artworks. Encourage use of bilingual dictionaries or translation tools.
Advanced and Extension
Challenge students to analyze how multiple principles interact in complex artworks. Encourage use of advanced vocabulary like "appropriation" and "symbolism." Assign reflective writing on how design choices affect viewer interpretation.
Assessment
- Observe student discussions using art vocabulary.
- Review notes or reflections on artwork comparisons.
- Check understanding during guided practice activities.
- Write two sentences comparing the use of balance in two artworks.
- Explain what expressive property your artwork communicates and how design supports it.
- Create a portfolio of personal artworks demonstrating at least five principles of design with written explanations.
- Present an oral analysis comparing and contrasting principles of design and expressive properties in personal artworks.
Answer Guide
- Name three principles of design and give a simple definition for each.
Answer: Emphasis: making one part stand out; Repetition/Pattern: repeating elements to create rhythm; Balance: distributing visual weight evenly or unevenly. - Look at your artwork and identify two principles of design you used. Explain how you used them.
Answer: Students identify principles like emphasis or balance and describe their use, e.g., "I used emphasis by making the main character larger and brighter than the background." - Compare your artwork with a classmate’s. Describe one similarity and one difference in how you both used the principle of movement/rhythm.
Answer: Similarity: both use diagonal lines to guide the eye. Difference: one uses repeated shapes for rhythm, the other uses flowing lines for movement. - Explain how the principle of contrast/variety affects the mood or message of an artwork you observe.
Answer: Contrast creates excitement or tension by using different colors or shapes, highlighting important parts and expressing emotions. - Analyze how unity and proportion work together in a personal artwork to support its overall meaning or narrative.
Answer: Unity connects all parts harmoniously, while proportion emphasizes important elements by size, helping tell a clear story or message.
Real-Life Application
Encourage students to observe artworks or designs at home or in their community (posters, advertisements, architecture) and identify principles of design and expressive qualities. They can share their observations in class.
Homework or Home Connection
- Encourage students to observe artworks or designs at home or in their community (posters, advertisements, architecture) and identify principles of design and expressive qualities. They can share their observations in class.
Lesson Summary
In this lesson, students learn to identify, compare, and contrast the principles of design in personal artworks using accurate vocabulary. They explore how these principles work together to create meaning and express ideas through art. By observing, creating, and reflecting, students develop visual literacy and deepen their understanding of how design choices communicate messages and emotions.
Teacher Notes
Use the exact standards alignment and retrieved-source provenance stored with this enrichment.