COM 1005 VISUAL COMPOSITION COOPER EASTHOPE ELEMENTS OF

COM 1005: VISUAL COMPOSITION COOPER EASTHOPE

ELEMENTS OF DESIGN

LINES • Line is a mark that is made to show definition for a shape or outline. • Lines are used to create texture in a picture • They can be in any direction and in different shapes, such as vertical and horizontal, straight and curved, and actual and implied.

TEXTURE • Texture is the definition and quality of a surface. • Texture is shown through how smooth or rough a surface is. • Texture doesn’t have to be directly drawn onto the picture but it can be implied by other sources.

COLOUR (VALUE) • Colour being used in art for contrast or blending to show different aspects of a picture. • Colour has 3 different variables which are Value, Intensity, and Chroma. Each of these variables can be used to change the way we see the colour, Value is the amount of white/black in the picture, Intensity refers to how pure a hue is, the more pure the more intense, Chroma refers to the saturation of a colour and is related to the intensity

PATTERN • Patterns are very similar to repetition, being used for creating a unison effect. • This is generally used with differing effects in each part of the pattern so that the pattern shows the same things but they are all also unique.

FORM • Form includes a 3 D object having art features that make it look more real, such as volume, thickness, and shading. • This is shown to create realism within a drawing or art project.

DIRECTION (MOTION) • Visual flow through a piece of art. • Direction usually suggests motion as you look from object to object in the image. • This can be created with pattern, or with value, by slowing changing the value or pattern from end to end of the image.

SIZE • When the physical size of objects differs across the work so that emphasis is set on different aspects. • The difference in size can be shown to represent power, fear, and dominance.

POINT • Points are just a single dot that isn’t extended in any way. • They can be used to show positive and negative space. • Multiple of them together can create the feeling of unison or being enclosed within them.

SHAPE • When an object or element is enclosed by a line. There are organic and mechanical shapes. • Mechanical shapes consist of squares, circles, and triangles. • Organic shapes are not definable by the shapes that we use in mathematics.

DEPTH • When there is an apparent difference between the front and back. • The easiest way to show depth is by overlapping different shapes.

POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE SPACE • Can be used to show multiple pictures or multiple perspectives on the same shape. • Positive and negative space is shown in the proportions of objects, lines or shapes.

PRINCIPLES OF DESIGN

BALANCE • Visual equality in form, shape, value, colour, or in other ways. • Balance doesn’t have to be shown through symmetry, as some works of art are asymmetrical.

EMPHASIS • When one area of an image is more apparent than anywhere else in the image. • This is used to create structure in the picture and show priority over other items.

PROPORTION (SCALE) • The comparative relationship of two parts of a work of art • This is used to show unity or balance or scale.

REPETITION (RHYTHM/PATTERN) • When an object is repeated in a manner that shows elements of shapes. • This can be used to create the image of unity, or individualism. • The easiest verb to be related to rhythm and pattern would be dancing.

UNITY • When different elements work together to create a pleasing image • This is common in political cartoons or renaissance art

CONTRAST • The visual difference between shapes, colours, or shades or other factors in a work of art. • This could be a difference between the background and the foreground to bring objects out and appear forward in the design.

HARMONY • Bringing together multiple different units in the picture. • If the work contained wavy lines then you would stick with organic shapes for the entire work of art.

DOMINANCE • Creating focal point in the design so that they appear superior to other parts of the work. • This is a very common technique to be used in political advertisements.