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The Principles of Design

The Principles of Design are the ways that artists use the Elements of Art in an artwork.  The elements of art are the "tools" of the artist like the tools to a construction worker would be a hammer, nail, glue and measuring tape.   The principles of design use the "tools" (elements of art) to "build" a design. Not every artwork has every last one of the elements contained within it, but there are usually at least two present.

How we apply the principles of design determines how successful we are in creating a work of art.  Click on each principle of design to learn more.  Click on each one to learn more.

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