Elements of Design
Line
Form/Shape
Texture
Color
Line
Directs the eye to follow. There are several types: horizontal, vertical, etc.
Shape
A 2D contained area that can be man made or natural. It is created when a line is enclosed and has height and width dimensions.
Form
A 3D contained area that can be man made or natural. It is created when a form encloses volume and has height, width, and depth dimensions.
Texture
The appearance of how a surface feels. Examples include rough, smooth and sharp.
Color
Used to alter the overall mood/feeling of a design. There are three characteristics: hue, saturations, and temperature.
Warm Colors
ā¢Orange, red and yellow colours (Colors that make you think of warm things - sunlight, fire, heat)
Cool Colors
ā¢Blue, green, purple (Colors that calm - water, sky, ice, snow)
Pattern
An element that occurs over and over again in a design, repeats an element in a consistent way.
Principles of Design
Emphasis Balance Unity Contrast Movement/Rhythm Pattern Scale/Proportion
Emphasis
Creates a focal point to pull the viewer's eye to an important part of the design. The object which catches our attention first.
Symmetrical balance
Two halves of a style; form a mirror image of one another.
Radial Balance
Distribution of components in a circular pattern around a center point
Asymmetrical Balance
When objects are placed unequally on either side of an imaginary vertical line in the center of the page.
Unity
Possesses a sense of completion. Separate components are linked, similar, and in common and come together to equal a whole.
Proportion or Scale
Compares the relative size of various elements in a design. Compares objects or parts, of a whole design.
Pattern
An element that occurs over and over again in a design, repeats an element in a consistent way.
Balance
Gives the impression of stability or equality in composition.
Movement or Rhythm
Motion that leads the eye from one element to another through curves, arrows, or other objects.
Contrast
The use of opposites and differences in composition. Achieved by using different shapes, textures, or colors.