THE ELEMENTS OF DESIGN
The Elements of Design are the things that artists and designers work with to create a design, or composition. The Elements are: line, shape, space, value, color, and texture.
Line … The Graphic Unifier.
Curved, Straight, Directional Thrust: Horizontal, Vertical, and
Diagonal
A curved line is dynamic, ever changing, and more natural, than
the straight line, which is more static in character. Direction,
while often listed as a separate element, is technically a part
of the element "line". The diagonal line is more dynamic
and is quicker to draw the eye. It can be used to create movement
and depth. Horizontal lines are more static and tranquil therefore
calmer, more passive. Vertical lines evoke strength, power, but
less dynamic than diagonals.
Shape … Natural, Geometric.
Positive and Negative. (The Golden Mean)
Geometric shapes are more passive, decorative, and static than
organic shapes. Repeated shapes can be used to create movement.
Repeating geometric shapes increases the decorative effect. Look
beyond the obvious shapes of heads, bodies, buildings, etc., and
view your subject as abstract shapes. Change many of the obvious
shapes and create new more interesting shapes. Try to find interlocking
shapes. Keep the background shapes in the background, but look
for places to connect the foreground and background.
Space / Size … Large, Medium,
Small. Proportion or Scale. (The Golden Mean)
The comparative relation between things. Employ large, medium,
small concept. Size can be used to make things appear nearer and
of greater importance. Size relationships can be used to create
depth (Perspective).
Value … Light, Dark. (Value Patterns)
Value can be used to create mood, i.e. dark and mysterious, light
and airy, gray and dull. High contrast in value moves things forward;
low contrast makes them recede. (Arial Perspective)
Color … Hue, Chorma,
and Value.
Hue is the specific name of a color, red, yellow, blue (primary
colors). (The Color Wheel)
Chroma, also called saturation, often called intensity, refers
to a colors strength or weakness, bright or grayed.
Color Value refers to the lightness or
darkness of the color, not to its intensity or to a specific hue.
Texture … Rough, Smooth,
Soft, Hard.
Texture shows at the edges and in the play of light and shadow
on the surface.
A COMPOSITION is an arrangement of all the elements, which
achieves a unified whole. But alas, it is merely a tool to
create form and content. Content relates to human emotion and
the intellect and is the end result of the reasons for painting.
Design is a means to that end.
See: Types of Compositions and A Simple
Approach to Good Design.
ATTRIBUTES are defined as the qualities that the art
or design conveys to the observer.
Emotional
… Active, Passive
Esthetic … Realistic,
Impressionistic, Abstract, Decorative
Spatial
… Depth, Flat