Term: Variety

Helen Lee, Stroop Vessels

A principle of design (also known as alternation) concerned with combining one or more elements in different ways to create visual and conceptual interest. This interest can come from intricate and complex relationships or from non-uniform combinations of similar elements. For instance, an assortment of shapes that are of a variety of sizes attracts more attention than an assortment of shapes that are all the same size. An artwork which makes use of many different hues, values, lines, and textures also involves variety. Variety adds interest but too much variety can cause chaos and confusion.