Elements and Principles OF DESIGN Line Line can

Elements and Principles OF DESIGN

Line • Line can be considered in two ways. The linear marks made with a pen or brush or the edge created when two shapes meet. • Impact: We can use line to create edges for things, it is the basic element of art.

Texture • Texture is the surface quality of a shape - rough, smooth, soft hard glossy etc. Texture can be physical (tactile) or visual. • Impact: We can use texture to make something look more interesting

Colour • refers to specific hues and has 3 properties, Chroma, Intensity and Value. The color wheel is a way of showing the chromatic scale in a circle using all the colors made with the primary triad. Complimentary pairs can produce dull and neutral color. Black and white can be added to produce tints (add white), shades (add black) and tones (add gray). • Impact: We can use colour to make variation

Form • is a 3 -dimensional object having volume and thickness. It is the illusion of a 3 -D effect that can be implied with the use of light and shading techniques. Form can be viewed from many angles. • Impact: We can use form to make a 3 -D object

Pattern • Pattern is the repetition of shape or form. It can also reflect the underlying structure of a design by organizing the surfaces or objects in the composition. There are many different kinds of patterns: • Impact: We can use Pattern for a better looking repetition

Size • Size is simply the relationship of the area occupied by one shape to that of another. • Impact: We can use Size to emphasize something

Point • A point is an element that has position, but no extension. It is a single mark in space with a precise, but limited, location. Alone it can provide a powerful relation between negative and positive space, but when grouped with other points the Gestalt grouping principal of closure tends to kick in and the brain compulsively connects the points together. Line or form is a natural result of multiple points in space. • Impact: We can use point to show something so small that it is only a dot.

Value (Colour) • Value is the lightness or darkness of a colour. Value is also called Tone • We can use value to make it so that there are more colours in an image

Shape • A shape is a self contained defined area of geometric or organic form. A positive shape in a painting automatically creates a negative shape. • Impact: We can use shape to ********

Depth • Illusion of something being 3 -D • Impact: We can use depth to make something seem 3 -D

Space (Positive and Negative) • Space refers to variations in the perspective and proportions of objects, lines, or shapes. There is a variation in sizes in space of objects either real or imagined. • Impact: We can use space to make something seem different than it really is

Balance • Balance is an equilibrium that results from looking at images and judging them against our ideas of physical structure (such as mass, gravity or the sides of a page). It is the arrangement of the objects in a given design as it relates to their visual weight within a composition. Balance usually comes in two forms: symmetrical and asymmetrical. • Impact: We can use balance to make the image seem like it is equal all the way through

Emphasis • The focal point of an image, or when one area or thing stand out the most. • Impact: We can use emphasis to draw attention to the prime thing in the image

Proportion (Scale) • Proportion is the comparison of dimensions or distribution of forms. It is the relationship in scale between one element and another, or between a whole object and one of its parts. Differing proportions within a composition can relate to different kinds of balance or symmetry, and can help establish visual weight and depth. • Impact: We can use Proportion to scale two things together

Repetition (Rhythm/Pattern) • Repetition is repeating an element over and over • Impact: By using repetition we can emphasize something

Unity • The concept of unity describes the relationship between the individual parts and the whole of a composition. It investigates the aspects of a given design that are necessary to tie the composition together, to give it a sense of wholeness, or to break it apart and give it a sense of variety. • Impact: By using unity we can make a broken apart composition 'one'.

Contrast • Offers some change in value creating a visual discord in a composition. Contrast shows the difference between shapes and can be used as a background to bring objects out and forward in a design. It can also be used to create an area of emphasis. • Impact: By using contrast we emphasize certain objects

Harmony • Brings together a composition with similar units. If your composition was using wavy lines and organic shapes you would stay with those types of lines and not put in just one geometric shape. • Impact: By using Harmony we can bring something together

Rhythm • Is a movement in which some elements recurs regularly. Like a dance it will have a flow of objects that will seem to be like the beat of music. • Impact: By using Rhythm we can make it seem that some objects are more important because they repeat

Dominance • Dominance relates to varying degrees of emphasis in design. It determines the visual weight of a composition, establishes space and perspective, and often resolves where the eye goes first when looking at a design. There are three stages of dominance, each relating to the weight of a particular object within a composition. • Impact: By using dominance we can decide where we want the audience to look