Principles and Elements of Design

Elements

The building blocks of any design

Principles

How the elements are used

Line

Basic building block of design

Perceived line

Actual lines that exist in space

Implied line

Trick of perception. Not actually there. Can be done with light

Characteristics of line

Dimension: Length and width of line

Quality: Curved, straight, rough, spiky, etc

Character: Connect to an emotion

Shape/form

Shape: 2d materials (no depth and made up of multiple lines)

Form: 3d materials (depth and pops out of space)

Scale/size/space

Measurement of the size of an object

Space is the distance between two objects

Texture

Self explanatory

Colour

Visual communication of different things on stage

Hue

Pure unsaturated colours on the colour wheel

Tints

Achieved by adding white to a hue

Tone

Achieved by adding gray to a hue, dulling the colour

Shade

Achieved by adding black to a hue, darkening the colour

Saturation

Overall intensity of a colour. Part of the element of value

Primary colours

Red yellow blue

Secondary colours

Green, orange, violet

Complimentary colours

Colours opposite on the colour wheel. Creates the highest possible contrast

Rhythm

Repetition of an element of design

Proportion

Comparison of sizes, shapes, and quantities of elements

Emphasis

The visual element that you are drawn to first that is striking compared to the rest of the image.

Studium

Very intentional creation of emphasis. The intention of the scenographer

Punctum

Subjective emphasis. Something that stands out to you

Balance

Balancing contrasting elements with each other

Variety

Use of many different elements in one to hold the viewer’s attention

Unity

Harmony between all parts of a work of art, creating a sense of completeness.