The World In the Artwork – Focus on Art Elements, Principles and Materials

An Art Start Art Activity

Activity objective: to support development of visual literacy through identifying and judging the relative importance of visual elements and design principles in an artwork. 

Teacher Notes

This activity could be adapted as a group activity by asking each student, or small groups of students to complete the ranking ladder of art elements and design principles for the same artwork. The results could then be compared and discussed.

Classroom Activities

Select an artwork that interests you. Work out which the art elements or design principles are prominent in this artwork.

• Colour
• Line
• Shape
• Tone
• Form
• Texture
• Focal Point
• Space
• Rhythm
• Variety
• Unity
• Balance
• Other

Rank the most four most important items in a ranking ladder. Explain how the art elements and design principles you have identified as most important are used in the artwork to create sensory effects or express feelings or other ideas.

Information and Resources

Victorian Essential Learning Standards Ranking Ladder – graphic organiser