Visual Terms and Forms Lecture Notes

A set of flashcards covering visual design terms, colour meanings, line types, and artistic forms based on the lecture material.

Angle

slant, or way of looking at or presenting something

Background

distance part of a landscape; surroundings, especially those behind something, and providing harmony and contrast.

Balance

The even distribution of all the elements of a visual work, categorized into three types: symmetrical, asymmetrical, and radial.

Symmetrical balance

Balance where the visual is the same on the left and right sides of a central axis.

Asymmetrical balance

Balance where branches or elements are not distributed equally on each side but their total weight is balanced left and right.

Radial balance

Balance where all elements, such as rays of the sun, are equal in length from the center.

Colour (Hue)

Helps create mood, provide contrast, or compliment objects in artwork.

Purple and gold

Colours often associated with Royalty, wealth and opulence.

Red and White

Colours reminiscent of the Canadian flag that convey notions of patriotism and conservatism.

Green

The colour representing ecology and concern for the environment, as well as money and the suggestion "to go ahead."

Fall foliage colours

Red, orange, yellow, and brown; expressive of Thanksgiving.

Halloween colours

Orange and Black.

Christmas colours

Red and Green.

Easter colours

Purple and Yellow and other pastels colours.

Blue, Red, White and Grey

Colours associated with Stability, Power, Trustworthiness, and Conservatism.

Yellow, Brown, Orange, Green

Colours representing Nature, earthiness, and warmth.

Red, Orange, and yellow

Colours representing more warmth.

Blues and Aquas

Colours representing water and coolness.

Primary colours

Red, Blue, and Yellow, which convey fun.

Black

Associated with death, as well as sophistication and formality.

White

Believed to signify life and purity.

Composition

The bringing together of parts or elements to form a whole; the arrangement of parts to form a unified, harmonious whole.

Contrast

The juxtaposition of opposing elements, such as opposite colours on the colour wheel, light/dark tones, or horizontal/vertical directions.

Dominant Image

The part of the artwork that will be dominant or represent the overall mood, feeling, or idea associated with the visual.

Focal Point

The main element in a composition that draws attention, often created by larger figures in the foreground or vertical elements among horizontal ones.

Focus

Whether objects are in or out of focus; one way of creating a focal point in photographs.

Font

Size, type etc. associated with text.

Foreground

The part of a scene or landscape which is near the viewer.

Frame

A technique used to focus viewer attention, make an image aesthetically pleasing, add depth, or act as a repoussoir.

Lighting

Illumination used to establish mood or serve a symbolic purpose, achieved through the careful use of colour.

Line

Linear marks or the edge created when two shapes meet; communicates emotion and states of mind through character and direction.

Horizontal line

Suggests a feeling of rest or repose.

Vertical lines

Communicate a feeling of loftiness and spirituality.

Erect lines

Seem to extend upwards beyond human reach, toward the sky.

Diagonal lines

Suggest a feeling of movement, direction, speed, or activity.

Soft, shallow curves

Suggest comfort, safety, familiarity, and relaxation.

Deep, acute curves

Suggest confusion, turbulence, frenzy, or turmoil.

Panel

A single section of a comic showing one moment in a story; also called a frame.

Perspective

The illusion of creating dimensional views of objects and depth through intersecting lines and spacing.

Proportion

The size relationship of parts to a whole and to one another.

Shadow

Visually defines objects; used with values to create the illusion of a third dimension.

Values

The different shades of gray between white and black.

Hatching and crosshatching

Simple techniques for drawing shading to create the illusion of a third dimension.

Scale

The size or apparent size of an object seen in relation to other objects, people, or its environment.

Symbol

An object representing a feeling, idea etc.

Caricature

Exaggerated facial features of subjects employed by cartoonists.

Collage

An art form where various materials like photographs, paper, or fabric are arranged and stuck to a backing.

Comic Strip

A sequence of drawings in boxes that tell an amusing story.

Editorial Cartoon

A one-panel cartoon dealing with current news events or social, political, or cultural issues.

Graphics

The process or art of drawing in accordance with mathematical principles.

Photo Essay

A set or series of photographs intended to tell a story or evoke a series of emotions.

Poster

Contains images and text that convey a message quickly, usually within a few seconds.

Print

Hard copy of text as opposed to electronic or web formats.

Storyboard

Rough sketches showing the content, sequence, and camera shots for a video production, including notes on special effects and audio.