Elements and principles of Design

• Elements of Design:

  1. Line
  2. Shape
  3. Form
  4. Color
  5. Value
  6. Texture
  7. Space
• Line - The way 2 points in space are connected and the path of a moving point. They lead eyes to a certain point, and can also represent texture.
• Shape - are contained inside an implied line and are also a contour of a flat object.

  There are 3 types of shapes:

  1. Organic Shapes - natural in the world
  2. Geometric Shapes - angular and mathematically consistent
  3. Abstract Shapes - represent things in nature but aren't perfectly representattive.
• Form - the way that a shape or physical configuration occupies space, it has volume and mass and is 3D.
• Color - It is used to portray mood, light, depth, and point of view. It also refers to the chromatic quality.
• Value - how dark or light something appears. Value is created by adding black or white to a color. Helps us see and understand 2D art
• Texture - how an object appears or feels, texture can be tactile or visual.

  Tactile - physical sense of touch

  Visual - imagined feel
• Space - It represents depth. There are 2 types of space:

  1. White space/Negative space - between or around the focal point of an image
  2. Positive space - refers to the space matter takes up.
• Contrast - arrange of opposite elements put together

  Contrast of: color, size, texture, and value
• Variety - inclusion of difference to offset unity and add interest to space.

  Variety of: color, texture, and value
• Emphasis - one or more element creates more attention than anything else

  Emphasis of: line, color, and size
• Balance: to create stability

  Balance of: space, value, and shape

  3 types of Balance:

  Symmetrical balance

  • "Formal Balance"
  • weighted the same on both sides

  Asymmetrical balance

  • "Informal Balance"
  • balanced but uneven

  Radial balance
• Rhythm and Repetition - use of an element multiple times within times within the same space

  color, shape, line, and texture
• Movement - use of continuous element of design to direct viewer's eye around the space
• Pattern - repetition of element in a recognizable organization
• Unity/Harmony - related to the sense of wholeness that results using of one of the elements throughout the space, texture, shape, color