Unit Plan 3 (Grade 8 Art): Elements & Principles Mastery
Grade 8 art unit on elements of art and principles of design—students plan intentional compositions, create visual impact, and analyze how design choices communicate meaning.
Focus: Apply elements of art and principles of design intentionally to organize compositions and support meaning, and analyze how those choices create visual impact.
Grade Level: 8
Subject Area: Art (Visual Arts • Design & Composition • Art Criticism)
Total Unit Duration: 5 sessions (one week), 50–60 minutes per session
I. Introduction
Students move from “just drawing what looks cool” to designing with purpose. They review the elements of art (line, shape, color, value, texture, form, space) and principles of design (balance, contrast, emphasis, movement, pattern, rhythm, unity/variety, proportion) and explore how professional artists organize these ingredients to guide the viewer’s eye and communicate mood or meaning. Through quick studies, analysis activities, and a focused composition project, students practice planning where, how, and why they use elements and principles rather than leaving choices to chance.
Essential Questions
- How do elements of art and principles of design work together to create visual impact and meaning?
- What does it look like to plan a composition intentionally, instead of placing things randomly?
- How can I use contrast, emphasis, balance, and movement to guide where the viewer looks first and next?
- How can we analyze artworks by asking how and why elements/principles are used, not just “do I like it”?
- How will mastering elements and principles improve all of my future artworks, no matter the subject or style?
II. Objectives and Standards
Learning Objectives — Students will be able to:
- Identify and describe elements of art and principles of design in a variety of artworks, using accurate vocabulary.
- Analyze how elements and principles work together to create emphasis, balance, contrast, movement, and unity in compositions (VA:Re7.8a).
- Plan and sketch compositions that intentionally apply specific elements and principles to support a chosen mood or message (VA:Cr2.8a).
- Create a finished composition (or refined design study) that demonstrates purposeful use of at least two principles of design (e.g., contrast + emphasis, balance + movement).
- Write or discuss a short design analysis explaining how their choices in elements and principles support meaning.
- Use a design checklist and peer feedback to revise their composition for stronger visual impact.
Standards Alignment — 8th Grade (NCAS-Aligned)
- VA:Cr2.8a — Plan and organize artistic work by applying elements of art and principles of design intentionally to support meaning.
- Example: Students use contrast and emphasis to guide viewer attention in a poster or concept illustration.
- VA:Re7.8a — Analyze how elements of art and principles of design function together to create visual impact and meaning.
- Example: Students explain how balance, contrast, and movement create tension or calm in a composition.
Success Criteria — Student Language
- I can correctly use vocabulary for elements of art and principles of design when talking about artworks.
- I can point to specific places in an artwork and explain how elements and principles create emphasis, balance, contrast, or movement.
- I can plan a composition where I intentionally choose where to put things and how to use contrast and emphasis to guide the viewer’s eye.
- I can create an artwork or design that clearly shows at least two principles of design in action.
- I can explain in writing or discussion how my design choices support the mood or message I wanted to communicate.