The Elements and Principles of Design

Introduction All visual artists work with the same elements of design. Each element has both physical and psychological effects on the observer. The particular choices made by a designer in a given situation produce a design with specific characteristics and effects. All elements can be manipulated to the designer’s purpose.

Elements of Design The basic elements of design are space, line, shape, form, light, color and texture.

Space Space is defined as the area between or within shapes. The scenic designer works with two specific spaces: The area of the stage defined by scenic elements (flats, platforms, drapes etc.) The total area of the stage

Divisions of Space Uneven divisions of space are generally the most pleasing. Equal divisions or extremely unequal divisions are generally less pleasing. However, an unpleasing effect may be exactly what the designer is obliged to produce for certain play or scenes, particularly comic or evil ones.

Line There are eight aspects to a line: path, thickness, continuity, sharpness, contour, consistency, length and direction. Within each aspect are numerous variations, each conveying its own psychological and physical effects. These effects of line are based on associations with objects from our experience or from nature.

Shape and Form Shape is flat space enclosed by a line; form is the three-dimensional area enclosed by surfaces. Hollow forms are perceived as volume; solid forms are perceived as mass. Shapes and forms are defined space.

Light As in almost no other situation, light on stage can be controlled and manipulated for an aesthetic purpose. Mood, Atmosphere Time of Day Place Action

Color The most exciting, powerful, and provocative element of design is color. The emotional or psychological response elicited by color is the result of both a vast store of cultural associations shared by a society and associations unique to each individual. The Scenic designer must learn to manipulate both the physical and psychological aspects of color in order to produce the desired audience response.

Texture The texture of an object is its tactile surface characteristics or a visual representation of a tactile surface.

Principles of Design The basic principles of design are directional, highlighting, and synthesizing.

Directional Principles Generally the simplest, directional principles lead the eye from one place to another, build to a climax, and emphasize a direction.

Repetition is the use of a design unit more than once. Parallelism is the use of equidistant units on the same plane. Sequence is one unit following after another in a particular order and in regular succession. Alternation is the sequence of two units changing back and forth.

Repetition Parallelism Sequence Alternation

Gradation is the sequence of adjacent units, identical in all respects but one, which changes in specific steps from one unit to the next. Transition is the smooth, continuous movement from one position or condition to another. Radiation is a sense of movement outward from a central point (visible or implied). Rhythm is the perception of organized movement.

Gradation Transition Radiation Rhythm

Highlighting Principles Highlighting principles focus attention on the differences between one unit and another.

Concentricism is the layering of shapes, each progressively larger and each having the same center. Contrast is the juxtaposition of unlike units. Emphasis is the placement of focus on a point or area of the design – the center of interest to which all other areas are subordinated.

Concentricism Emphasis Contrast

Synthesizing Principles Synthesizing principles guide the total combination of elements in a design to relate and integrate the parts.

Proportion is the result of the comparative relationships of distances, sizes, amounts, degrees, or parts to the whole. Scale is the relative size of shapes to the whole and to each other, or comparative proportional size relationships. Balance is the sense of evenly distributed weight, size, density, or tension that results in stability.

Balance Scale Proportion

Harmony is a pleasing combination of elements, a consistency of feeling, mood and function. Unity is the feeling of wholeness, of all parts complete and necessary to the totality. Unity is subtle it s the result of design elements used well and design principles applied well.

Harmony Unity

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