Since Discipline-Based Art Education (DBAE) began to advocate the teaching of art based on art subjects and knowledge rather than creative self-expression, the elements and principles of design have taken a firm place in various art curricula, textbooks, and national and state Visual Arts Standards. This article intends to trace the history of design theory in the teaching of art, especially at the elementary level. In this article, the author discusses the "Beginning of Teaching Design Theory," by Arthur Wesley Dow, "Design Theory in the Creative Expression Movement," by Victor D'Amico and Viktor Lowenfeld, and the 'Bauhaus Design Theory" and its American version. Among other things, the author also talks about the question of universality and implications for art education. (Contains 44 notes.)