Why do we use these and why should we know this?

"One of the main reasons I teach elements and principles at the elementary level is to develop my students' visual literacy, their vocabulary. Educational theory indicates that humans tend to notice things for which they have a word. Some sources even unless that we cannot "see' something unless we have learned a term for the concept..."

Eileen S. Price (Art is Fundamental)

Elements and Principles provide a  solid structure and foundation for cross-curricular learning. They provide students with a vocabulary to relate to their environment,  to communicate it through shapes, colour, forms etc. As educators, we will provide these fundamentals continually throughout the school experience, however, it is important to acknowledge what and how the Elements and Principles relate to our senses, and how this visible and invisible vocabulary is behind almost all things that we do.

Simply put :

The elements of design are the parts that define the visual, the tools and components that a person uses to create a composition. In other words, they represent the base of  design.

The principles of design, on the other hand, are all about how a person uses the elements to create a visual and convey a message.

To the eye these concepts seem simple, however, there is a foundation within these terms that addresses more than learning how to recreate them. Rather understanding how to look at and live with these tools provides our students with a language of deep expression and understanding. Elements and Principles are fundamental to “Art”, but they are fundamental in being able to connect to abstract thought that is relevant to all disciplines of study. Science and math, you say?? Hmmmm,  think about how a line is used by a surgeon or architect?  How does form, colour and shape apply to chef or hairstylist? These concepts are in everything we do, every day!

Please read and write an honest reflection in your sketchbooks of the following article written by Olivia Gude : Postmodern Principles

 

So then what are the Elements?

 

Line

Shape

Form

Texture

Value

Colour

Space

And Principles of Design?

Emphasis

Balance

Rhythm

Repetition/Variety

Line

Contrast