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CEA Unit 1 Lesson 1.1 Activity 1.1.2 Design Principles and Elements Page 1


Activity 1.1.2 Design Principles and
Elements

Introduction
Have you ever noticed how buildings of similar size and
shape can have completely different visual effects?
Architects, like artists, must understand the elements
and principles of design and how they affect the visual
impact of the building on a viewer. Whether it is the
intent of the architect to create a feeling of strength and
stability or to create an unusual form that will elicit a
double-take from the public, the elements and principles
of design can be used to manipulate the intellectual and
emotional reactions of the people who see and use the
building.

Equipment
Principles and Elements of Design Applied to
Architecture presentation notes

Procedure
In this activity you will identify design elements and principles as they pertain to
images of structures.

For each of the following, choose one element of design and one principle of design
that you feel is most prominent in the image and then justify your choice.

Word Bank
Balance Form Rhythm Texture
Color Line Shape Unity
Emphasis Proportion/Scale Space Value

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CEA Unit 1 Lesson 1.1 Activity 1.1.2 Design Principles and Elements Page 2
1. Principle of Design
Graduated Rhythm
Regular Rhythm
Asymmetrical Balance
Unity
___________________

Justification:
- Repetition of windows
and other materials, as
well as the gradual
rhythm of the building
decreasing in size


Element of Design
Vertical Lines
Form
Warm Colors
____________________


Justification:
- The building is
composed of vertical
lines and use of
geometric ships.



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CEA Unit 1 Lesson 1.1 Activity 1.1.2 Design Principles and Elements Page 3
2. Principle of Design
Symmetrical Balance
Regular Rhythm
Unity
___________________

Justification:
- Elements within the
design are identical in
relation to the
centerline.
- Repetition of glass and
other materials
- The design of the
building is gradually
repeated and decreases
in size

Element of Design
Vertical Lines
Smooth Texture
Cool Colors
____________________


Justification
- The building is mainly
composed of vertical
lines and reflects light,
giving off a smooth
surface.








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CEA Unit 1 Lesson 1.1 Activity 1.1.2 Design Principles and Elements Page 4
3. Principle of Design
Unity
___________________

Justification:
- Consistent use of brick

Element of Design
Horizontal Lines
Warm Colors
____________________


Justification:
- The building is
composed of horizontal
lines and a few two-
dimensional contours.



















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CEA Unit 1 Lesson 1.1 Activity 1.1.2 Design Principles and Elements Page 5
4. Principle of Design
Symmetrical Balance
Repeated Rhythm
Contrast
Movement
Unity
___________________

Justification:
- Elements within the
designs are identical in
relation to the centerline
- Repetition of windows
- Both buildings are
noticeably different
- Second building gives a
flow or feeling of action
- Both buildings use
glass, though one more
than the other

Element of Design
Vertical Lines
Form
Smooth Texture
Value
Cool Colors
____________________


Justification:
- Both buildings are
composed of vertical
lines
- Second building seems
more three-dimensional
- Although both buildings
use glass and have a
smooth texture, the first
building has less texture
than the second building
- The first buildings
windows are tinted a
blue/green




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CEA Unit 1 Lesson 1.1 Activity 1.1.2 Design Principles and Elements Page 6
5. Principle of Design
Symmetrical Balance
Regular Rhythm
Movement
Unity
___________________

Justification:
- The building has
symmetrical balance
- Theres a repetition of
glass windows
- Diagonal lines give a
sense of movement

Element of Design
Vertical Lines
Form
Smooth Texture
____________________


Justification:
- Vertical lines
- Appears three-
dimensional
- Has smooth texture










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CEA Unit 1 Lesson 1.1 Activity 1.1.2 Design Principles and Elements Page 7
6. Principle of Design
Random Rhythm
Unity
Movement
___________________

Justification:
- Repetition of glass
windows
- The building has a
consistent use of glass
- Curved lines add
movement

Element of Design
Curved Lines
Form
Smooth Texture
Cool Colors
____________________


Justification:
- Curved lines are mainly
seen throughout the
building
- Gives off a three-
dimensional shape






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CEA Unit 1 Lesson 1.1 Activity 1.1.2 Design Principles and Elements Page 8
7. Principle of Design
Symmetrical Balance
Regular Rhythm
Unity
___________________

Justification:
- Symmetrical balance
upon the y-axis
- Consistent use of glass
- Repetition of glass and
lines

Element of Design
Vertical Lines
Smooth Texture
Cool Colors
Blue/Green Value
____________________


Justification:
- Mainly composed of
vertical lines
- Glass gives off a
smooth texture
- Cool colors give a calm
feeling
- Windows are tinted a
green/blue




Project Lead The Way,

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CEA Unit 1 Lesson 1.1 Activity 1.1.2 Design Principles and Elements Page 9
8. Principle of Design
Symmetrical Balance
Graduated Rhythm
Movement
Contrast
___________________

Justification:
- Building is symmetrical
- Repeated use of
windows along with the
gradual rhythm of the
building
- Curved lines give a
sense of movement
- The sheer amount of
windows stands out

Element of Design
Curved Lines
Smooth Texture
Form
____________________


Justification:
- Curved lines are seen
throughout the building
- Smooth texture from the
windows
- The building has a
cylinder-like shape


Project Lead The Way,

Inc.
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CEA Unit 1 Lesson 1.1 Activity 1.1.2 Design Principles and Elements Page 10
9. Principle of Design
Regular Rhythm
Contrast
___________________

Justification:
- Repeated use of
windows
- Texture of part of the
building gives off a
contrast

Element of Design
Vertical Lines
Smooth Texture
Form
Blue/Green Value
____________________


Justification:
- Vertical lines are seen
on the building
- Windows make smooth
texture
- The building looks
three-dimensional
- Windows are tinted a
dark green








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CEA Unit 1 Lesson 1.1 Activity 1.1.2 Design Principles and Elements Page 11
10. Principle of Design
Contrast
Movement
___________________

Justification:
- Color and materials
stand out
- Diagonal lines create a
sense of movement

Element of Design
Vertical Lines
Diagonal Lines
Form
____________________


Justification:
- Mainly vertical lines
seen on the building
- Theres a few diagonal
lines on the building
- Seems three-
dimensional







Conclusion
1. In what way do certain elements or principles identify the time period in which a
structure was created?
Certain elements like texture identify the time period when a structure was made. Since
most people in the past couldnt use glass to build structures, its most likely that any
buildings made mostly out of glass are modern.

2. What factors might account for an incorrect identification?
Some factors that may account for an incorrect identification would probably be if
someone was trying to remake a building from the past in the modern world. People
could mistake it to have been made farther in the past.

3. Describe an example of a way that design principles and elements could impact
the function of a building.
One example would be color, which could either calm or excite someone and impact the
function of said building.
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CEA Unit 1 Lesson 1.1 Activity 1.1.2 Design Principles and Elements Page 12