BECE Creative Arts and Design: Elements and principles of design
The elements are the parts you can see in a design. The principles are the ways those parts are arranged.
The idea
Line, shape, colour, texture, space and form are elements. A line can be straight, curved, thick or thin, and it can lead the eye. A shape is flat, such as a circle drawn on paper. Form is the solid version of a shape, such as a ball or a box you could hold. Colour has a name, a lightness and a strength. Texture is how a surface looks or feels, rough or smooth. Space is the empty area around and between the parts. Without elements there is nothing to arrange.
Principles tell you how the elements work together. Balance can be the same on both sides, or uneven and still stable. Contrast is a clear difference, such as light beside dark or large beside small. Emphasis is the part the eye reaches first. Rhythm is a repeat that carries the eye along. Proportion is the size of one part compared with another. Unity is the sense that the parts belong in one work. A strong answer names the term and points to the place it appears. Saying only that a poster looks nice earns nothing.
The Creative Arts and Design tips guide sets out the papers, the design strand, and how to do the practical. BECE Creative Arts and Design tips
What earns the marks
An element is a part. A principle is a way of arranging parts. Colour is an element. Balance is a principle. "The poster uses contrast" needs the pair that contrasts, such as a yellow title on a dark ground. If the question says state, one clear sentence is enough. If it says explain, add what the choice does, for example that contrast lets a person read the title from across a classroom.
Practice questions
These are practice questions in the style of the paper, with a model answer and a mark scheme. They are not a promise of what your paper will ask.
1Question 1
5 marks
(a) Name three elements of design. (3 marks)
(b) State what a principle of design does. (2 marks)
Model answer
(a) Line, colour and texture.
(b) A principle is a way of arranging the elements so the design holds together.
Mark scheme
One element, such as line, shape, colour, texture, space or form1 mark
A second element, different from the first1 mark
A third element, different from the first two1 mark
A principle arranges or organises the elements1 mark
The purpose is a design that holds together, or that guides the eye1 mark
2Question 2
3 marks
A school poster has a large red heading and small black writing under it.
(a) Name the principle that makes the heading the first thing a person sees. (1 mark)
(b) Explain your answer. (2 marks)
Model answer
(a) Emphasis.
(b) The heading is larger than the writing under it, and red stands out against black, so the eye goes there first.
Mark scheme
Emphasis, or contrast accepted when the explanation is about the heading standing out1 mark
Size, or the red against the black writing1 mark
That difference makes the heading the first thing seen1 mark
3Question 3
4 marks
Distinguish between shape and form. Give one example of each. (4 marks)
Model answer
A shape is flat, such as a circle drawn on paper. A form is solid, such as a ball, and it has depth.
Mark scheme
Shape is flat, or two dimensional1 mark
A correct shape example, such as a circle, square or triangle1 mark
Form is solid, or has depth1 mark
A correct form example, such as a ball, box or cylinder1 mark
Practise Creative Arts and Design with Kevin
More questions on this topic are inside glearn, marked as you answer, with the reason written out. The first ones need no account.
What is the difference between an element and a principle?+
An element is a part you can point to, such as line, shape, colour or texture. A principle is a rule for arranging those parts, such as balance, contrast, emphasis or rhythm.
What is emphasis in a design?+
Emphasis is the part the eye reaches first. A designer makes it with size, colour or placement. A large red heading on a quiet background is emphasis. All BECE Creative Arts and Design past questions