Design Elements, Principles, and Color Theory (Video Notes)

A comprehensive set of Q&A flashcards covering key terms and concepts from the lecture notes on elements, principles, and color theory.

What is the arrangement of visual elements in a work of art called?

Design.

The arrangement or placement of visual elements on the two-dimensional surface or picture plane is called __.

Composition.

The materials and methods used to create an image or object are called __.

Medium (or media).

Two-dimensional refers to height and __.

Width.

What is the two-dimensional surface defined by height and width called?

Picture plane.

The outermost limits or boundaries of the picture plane are represented by the edges of a canvas or paper, or by the margin drawn within these edges. This boundary is called the __.

Picture frame.

Three-dimensional forms occupy a volume of space such as sculpture and __.

Architecture.

Name the Elements of Art or Design.

Line, shape, form, space, texture, value, and color (time and motion are sometimes considered elements).

Line is the path of a moving dot or mark between two end points. What is a location in space called?

Point.

What are the two categories of lines that can be actual or implied?

Actual line and implied line.

What is the difference between an actual line and an implied line?

An actual line is continuous and drawn; an implied line is suggested by elements in the work.

Contour line defines a form. What term refers to the outermost line of an object or figure?

Outline.

Name the three directions of linear direction.

Horizontal, vertical, diagonal.

What is hatching?

Fine parallel lines used to represent shading.

What is cross-hatching?

Intersecting sets of parallel lines used to shade.

Shape is a two-dimensional area bounded by lines or changes in color/value. What are the two basic types of shape?

Geometric and Organic.

What are implied shapes?

Shapes not explicitly drawn but suggested by arrangement of lines, colors, or other elements.

Positive shape is defined by its surrounding empty space. Negative shape is an empty space given shape by its surrounding area. True or false?

True.

What is the figure-ground relationship?

The relationship between positive and negative shapes.

What is figure-ground reversal (positive-negative reversal)?

Positive and negative shapes can be reversed or are ambiguous.

What are the three types of symmetrical balance studied?

Exact symmetry; Relieved/approximate symmetry; Radial balance.

Symmetrical balance is also known as what other terms?

Pure, formal, or bilateral balance.

Asymmetrical balance is also known as what?

Informal (or asymmetrical) balance.

What is visual weight?

The apparent heaviness or lightness of forms arranged in a composition.

Scale is defined as what?

The size of an object relative to another object or to a system of measurement.

What is hierarchical scale?

The use of size to denote the relative importance of subjects in an artwork.

Proportion refers to what?

The relationship in size between the parts and the whole.

What is the Canon of Proportions?

A set of rules about the body parts in art.

What is the Golden Rectangle?

A mathematical ratio that creates pleasing proportion.

Emphasis is the principle of drawing attention to particular content within a work. Also known as what?

Dominance.

What is Subordination in composition?

The opposite of emphasis; draws attention away from particular areas of a work.

What is a Focal Point?

A specific place of visual emphasis; the center of interest.

How are Contrast and Elaboration used in design?

To create dominance/emphasis and to achieve variety.

Rhythm and Pattern are based on what design concept?

Repetition.

What is Rhythm?

The regular or ordered repetition of elements; produces a sense of movement.

What is Pattern in art?

An arrangement of repeated elements in a regular and anticipated sequence.

What is a Motif?

A visual idea or design unit repeated throughout a composition.

Representational art is also known as what?

Objective Art.

What is Realism, Naturalism, and Illusionism in brief?

Realism portrays things as seen; Naturalism resembles the natural world; Illusionism aims to appear as real as possible.

What does Trompe l’oeil mean?

Deceives the eye; tricks the eye into perceiving a painted detail as a three-dimensional object.

What is Idealism in art?

The representation of forms according to a concept of perfection.

What does Abstract art mean?

Art imagery that departs from recognizable images in the natural world.

What does Nonrepresentational (Non-objective) art mean?

Art that has no reference to the natural world of images.

What is Stylization in art?

Distortion of a representational image to conform to artistic conventions or emphasize certain qualities.

What is Expressionistic art?

Art where form and color are freely distorted to achieve heightened emotional impact.

When did Nonrepresentational art become accepted in the art world?

In the mid-20th century.

What is the difference between Abstract art and Nonrepresentational art?

Abstract departs from recognizable images but may reference the natural world; Nonrepresentational has no reference to the natural world.

What is the Palette in art?

The board artists set out paints on, or the range of pigments used; can be restricted or open.

What are local color and optical color?

Local color is the object's actual color; optical color changes with lighting conditions.

What is an afterimage?

A perceptual phenomenon where a color’s complement appears after looking away.

What are neutrals in color theory?

Black, white, and gray (and sometimes brown from mixing complementary colors).

Name common color schemes.

Achromatic, Monochromatic, Analogous, Complementary.

What is hue in color theory?

The property that distinguishes a color; the name or color family.

What is value in color theory?

The lightness or darkness of a plane or area.

What is intensity (saturation)?

The degree of purity or brilliance of a color.

What does color temperature refer to?

Warm or cool colors and their perceptual effect.

What is the difference between Local Color and Optical Color?

Local Color is the actual color; Optical Color changes with lighting.