Design Principles & Color Theory Flashcards

In decorative art, 'negative space' refers to:

Answer: The unoccupied space surrounding the subject

Negative space is the empty or background area around and between subjects, which is as important to composition as the positive (subject) space.

Which of the following best describes 'value' in color theory?

Answer: The relative lightness or darkness of a color

Value refers to how light or dark a color is, ranging from white (highest value) to black (lowest value).

A color scheme that uses only one hue in varying tints, tones, and shades is called:

Answer: Monochromatic

A monochromatic scheme uses a single hue varied in value and saturation, creating a harmonious and unified look.

The Fibonacci sequence is used in design primarily to establish:

Answer: Proportional and spatial relationships

The Fibonacci sequence generates the golden ratio (~1.618), which guides proportionally pleasing spatial relationships and compositional divisions.

Which principle of design creates a path for the viewer's eye to follow through a composition?

Answer: Movement

Movement directs the viewer's gaze through a composition using lines, shapes, color, and other visual cues.

On the traditional RYB color wheel used in decorative painting, orange is a:

Answer: Secondary color

Orange is a secondary color on the RYB wheel, mixed by combining red and yellow in equal parts.

The term 'chroma' is synonymous with:

Answer: Saturation

Chroma and saturation both refer to the intensity or purity of a color — how vivid versus muted it appears.