Unit 1 Vocab

Design 1

Point

An element in space having a definite position and technically no dimension. In art and design, we have the dot, dab, or blob. Like the breadth of a line, the size of a point is not usually its most important attribute.

Dot

The smallest two-dimentional element.

Stippling

A method for producing areas of values by clustering small dots or points.

Line

The path a point makes as it moves across a surface. In mathematics, a line joins two or more points. It has length and direction, but no width. In art, lines have breadth, but this is not their most important parameter. In graphic design, line art means black or another single color, with no other values or colors.

Line quality

A characteristic of line determined by its weight, direction, uniformity, or other features.

Hatching

Drawing several thin (usually parallel) lines close together to create an area of value.

Cross Hatching

Superimposing hatched lines at right angles to the initial hatched lines, to build up value and to suggest for and volume.

Contour line

A periphery line used to follow the edges of forms; a line that bounds or delimits a form or an area.

Cross Contour

A line that crosses and defines the surface undulations between, or up to, the outermost edges of shapes or objects.

Outline

A real or imaginary line that describes a shape and its edges or boundaries. A line that defines the outermost limits of an object, form or shape. The outline makes the shape or form inherently graphic.

Explicit line

A line or edge within forms are clearly delineated: it may not always be a black line, but it has clear and distinct edges that stand out from the background.

Psychic line/Implied force

The metal connection between two points or elements. An invisible line joining, for example a person’s eyes to the object they are looking at, or the line that extends into space from the tip of a pointing arrow directing the viewer’s eye to follow it.

Implied Line

An imaginary line created by arranging points or short lines in such a manner that out brain joins them, for example, a dotted or dashed line. With lines that appear to start, stop, and disappear, the missing portions are implied to continue and are completed in the mind of the viewer.

Gesture (as line)

A free line within and around a form showing the dynamics of a scene or pose, the action of drawing, and the movement of the eye rather than a tight arrangement of shapes.

Lost and found edges

Where edges are sometimes hard and sharp against a background, and sometimes are soft and blurred, receding into the background. Now you see them, now you don’t.

Weighted Line or Thick and Thin Line

Thick and thin line is the use of varying widths and values of line by way of the pressure applied when creating a line with a drawing implement. A softer lead used with a drawing implement will yield a darker and wider line, while a harder lead will result in a narrower, lighter line. Hard lead pencils (H) give a crisp line, while soft lead pencil (B) produces a softer line.

Bridge Passage

Where two adjacent parallel lines are graduated in opposite directions, from dark to light and light to dark, there will be an area where the differences of value dissolve.

Wireframe

A mesh of adjacent and parallel planes in space, as found in computer graphics, which can accurately describe solid forms. Produced using a 3D modeling program or by laser-scanning a 3D object or body.

Focal Point/Center of interest

The area of a visual image that first attracts and usually sustains the viewer’s attention.

Radial Balance

A composition in which all visual elements are balanced around a certain point.

Figure/Ground Relationship

The relationship of an object to its surroundings in terms of perspective, form and atmosphere. A strong figure ground relationship occurs when the proportions of black to white may not be the same, but both spaces or patterns of shapes are strongly activated.  

Repetition

The repeating of a form or motif within a composition to create harmony, connect differing visual languages and the establishment of a visual syntax. 

Thumbnail Sketch

A rough sketch of very small proportions used to map out a larger scale and more complex composition. 

Preliminary Sketch

A drawing or other composition that is not intended as a finished work, but an exploration into formal and conceptual ideas for a finished, more advanced image. 

Gesture (drawing)

Gesture drawing explores the form and movement of an object in space, as your eye follows its shape. A gesture drawing is the initial stage of a drawing. It is the recorded information of the subject matter being depicted that captures the movement, speed and general position. A gesture is a non-committal stage of drawing. It can be drawn lightly and can be reworked numerous times.