Elements & Principles of Design

Elements of Design Designers use the following Elements (parts) of Design Colour Value Line Shape Form Texture Space

Colour There are: placed evenly around the basic color wheel. 3 Primary colors 3 Secondary colors placed evenly around the basic color wheel.

Value Is the lightness and darkness of a colour.

Line Is a continuous mark. It has five characteristics: length width curvature depth texture

Shape Is an enclosed line. It has height and width and is usually considered flat…2-dimensional.

Form It has height, width, and depth. It is considered 3-dimensional.

Texture The feel of a surface. There are two kinds: Actual or real Implied or fake

Space It has two characteristics: positive…the object negative… the voided area surrounding the object.

Principles of Design (The arrangement of elements) Balance Repetition Contrast Movement Emphasis Unity

Balance Equilibrium There are two kinds Elements are placed in the design in a way so they have equal weight. There are two kinds Symmetrical or formal balance which is objects centered Asymmetrical or informal balance which is more objects on one side or off centered.

Balance

Contrast The opposite or varied elements that make an art work interesting. Such as colour, thick or thin lines, large or small shapes, rough or smooth texture,etc.

Contrast

Movement The path our eyes follow in a design. Usually it brings the viewer in, around, and through the piece.

Movement

Emphasis Drawing attention to the main object. All elements; like line, color, and shapes, direct your eye to the main point.

Emphasis

Unity Oneness … makes all the elements and principles work together Also called Harmony

Unity