In creating the sensory environment a designer will select and control the following principles that add to the quality of the experience:

• Balance: objects, colours and other stage elements can be symmetrical providing an impression of evenness or asymmetrical providing an impression of imbalance or discomfort.
• Contrast: occurs when there is a marked difference between two aspects of drama, for example, use of contrasting light and dark colours in design or contrasting use of comedy and tragedy in a play.
• Pattern: the creation of sequences in design.

Repetition: the selection of elements to be featured in a performance to emphasise as well as surprise especially when creating new associations.