Learning Objectives:

• Students will be able to demonstrate an understanding of the Elements and Principles of Design and their implementation.

Materials:

• Dollar Store item or items that can be purchased in bulk (avoid army men, string or melted crayons.) 
• Any additional materials you may need such as hot glue, tape, pins, etc.

Sketchbook Mini-Assignments:

1. Look at each of the artists linked below in the research section. Take note of any works or artists you find particularly interesting. What draws you to their work?
2. Read the Art21 interview with Jessica Stockholder before coming to class. What do respond to in the article?
3. Make sure you have read through and understand the Elements and Principles Handout. You may also want to read through the notes and watch the videos on the Elements and Principles webpage.

Info:

One of the best ways to understand why a particular work of art is working aesthetically or not is through an understanding of the Elements and Principles of Design. The Elements and Principles for the backbone of good aesthetics (how something look) and can often be used to help solve problems you may have with a work.

In this assignment you will be given a material that is typically not thought of as an art material. You will be asked to use take element of art and illustrate a principle with your given material. This is meant to challenge you and make you question your assumptions about material use. Don’t let your brain get in the way just yet. Try everything and then decide what works best.

Composition:

Composition is defined as the arrangement of the elements and principles of design. How do we make paintings, sculptures, websites, clothing, posters, movies, photographs visually attractive?  How do we immediately know that the pants we picked out don’t match the shirt we want to wear?  How do we know that one car has a better design than the next car.  Those ideas, also known as aesthetics, are all dealing with composition.  As art students we need to understand what creates good, well organized compositions and the problems we can run into with bad or disorganized compositions.  Although introductory courses such as 2D Design and Drawing 1 will stress that you understand and use good design and composition, there are many artists who, once they understand the rules of design, choose to break them.  Like with most things in life, we have to understand the rules before we can start to break them.

Well designed compositions can be achieved by understanding how the Elements and Principles of Design work together.  The Elements can be described as the parts in a car; the muffler, gas tank, brake pedal, windshield wipers, etc.  The Principles are how those parts work together.

As you work, ask yourself – 

How does the work of art create __________________ (insert principle) through the use of ___________________ (insert element) ?

For example: How does the work of art create repetition through line?  How does the work of art create balance through color?  How does the work of art create contrast through value?  How does the work of art create movement through space?  You could run through one principle with all 7 elements.

• How does the work of art create contrast through line?
• How does the work of art create contrast through shape?
• How does the work of art create contrast through form?
• How does the work of art create contrast through value?
• How does the work of art create contrast through texture?
• How does the work of art create contrast through space?
• How does the work of art create contrast through color?

Asking these questions will help you have a better understanding of what is working in your composition and what needs to be adjusted. The principles of design help you to carefully plan and organize the elements of art so that your work is engaging and commands attention. 

Process:

1. Choose one element, one principle and one material from your professor. No peeking.
2. In your sketchbook or on scrap paper, brainstorm as many different possible ways to use the material as you can. Can you push the material so that its function is no longer its defining factor. ex. Using styrofoam cups to create clouds like Tara Donovan.
3. After you have thoroughly investigated your material, create a work of art that explores your chose principle through your chosen element. For example – If your element was line and your principle balance, how could you use your materials to create a work of art that embodies ideas of balance (symmetrical, asymmetrical, radial) through lines?
4. You’re going to have to get creative and some of your element / principle combinations may be more difficult than others. When you get stuck give yourself one minute to brainstorm as many possibilities as you can in your sketchbook. Try to get your brain out of the way and just work.

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Possible Materials:

Research:

• Tara Donovan (NY Times)
• Tara Donovan Interview
• Tim Hawkinson
• Tom Friedman Interview
• Jessica Stockholder
• Judy Pfaff
• Sarah Sze

Student Work: