Elements And Principles of Design

Line Direction of lines Direction of lines Horizontal Horizontal Vertical Vertical Diagonal Diagonal Structural Lines hold a design together. Structural Lines hold a design together. Outlines refer to the outer edge of a silhouette. Outlines refer to the outer edge of a silhouette. Contour Lines Contour Lines Describe the shape of an object Describe the shape of an object Include interior detail. Include interior detail. Gesture Lines Gesture Lines Called movement lines. Called movement lines. Emphasize direction and fluidity. Emphasize direction and fluidity. Sketch Lines Sketch Lines Provide more detail. Provide more detail. Artists use sketches for information-gathering. Artists use sketches for information-gathering. Calligraphy Calligraphy Means “beautiful writing”. Means “beautiful writing”. Precise and elegant hand-writing or lettering. Precise and elegant hand-writing or lettering.

Shape and Form Shape has height and width. Shape has height and width. Form is three dimensional. Form is three dimensional. Geometric shapes are precise and sharply defined. Geometric shapes are precise and sharply defined. Organic shapes are often curved or rounded. Organic shapes are often curved or rounded. Shapes that are curved are graceful. Shapes that are curved are graceful. Angular shapes are straight-edged. Angular shapes are straight-edged. Qualities of Shape. Qualities of Shape. Light and heavy shapes perceive weight Light and heavy shapes perceive weight Smooth and textured shapes emphasize surface qualities. Smooth and textured shapes emphasize surface qualities. Static and dynamic shapes refer to movement. Static and dynamic shapes refer to movement.

Value The lightness or darkness of grays and colors. The lightness or darkness of grays and colors. Lighter Values Lighter Values Depict happiness, warmth, and sunshine. Depict happiness, warmth, and sunshine. High-Keyed colors have been mixed with white. High-Keyed colors have been mixed with white. Dark Values Dark Values Suggest dark and gloomy days, nighttime, or dim lighting. Suggest dark and gloomy days, nighttime, or dim lighting. Low-Keyed colors have been mixed with black or gray. Low-Keyed colors have been mixed with black or gray. Value Contrast is light colors places next to dark colors. Value Contrast is light colors places next to dark colors. Center of Interest is a special area which the artist wants to draw attention to. Center of Interest is a special area which the artist wants to draw attention to.

Color A spectrum is created when a ray of light passes through a prism. A spectrum is created when a ray of light passes through a prism. Neutrals are usually white, gray, and black. Neutrals are usually white, gray, and black. The Properties of Color The Properties of Color Hue is the name of the color itself. Hue is the name of the color itself. Primary colors are red, yellow, and blue. Primary colors are red, yellow, and blue. Complementary colors appear opposite each other on the color wheel. Complementary colors appear opposite each other on the color wheel. Adding white to a hue produces a tint. Adding white to a hue produces a tint. Adding black to a hue produces a shade. Adding black to a hue produces a shade. Intensity refers to the quality of light in a color. Intensity refers to the quality of light in a color. Color Harmonies Color Harmonies Analogous colors are next to each other on the color wheel. Analogous colors are next to each other on the color wheel. Triadic harmony involves three equally spaced hues on the color wheel. Triadic harmony involves three equally spaced hues on the color wheel. Monochromatic is made by using only one color. Monochromatic is made by using only one color. Warm colors range from yellow to red-violet. Warm colors range from yellow to red-violet. Cool colors range from yellow-green to violet. Cool colors range from yellow-green to violet.

Space Three-dimensional space has height, width, and depth. Three-dimensional space has height, width, and depth. Positive space is the object or structure itself. Positive space is the object or structure itself. Negative space is the area surrounding the object or structure. Negative space is the area surrounding the object or structure. Two-dimensional space has no depth. Two-dimensional space has no depth. The flat surface on which an artist works is the picture plane. The flat surface on which an artist works is the picture plane. The organization of elements and their placement on the picture plane is called composition. The organization of elements and their placement on the picture plane is called composition. Position, overlapping, size variation, color, and value are some ways to show the illusion of depth. Position, overlapping, size variation, color, and value are some ways to show the illusion of depth.

Texture Is the physical surface structure of a material. Is the physical surface structure of a material. Creates diverse effects in a design. Creates diverse effects in a design. Real textures are those that can actually be touched. Real textures are those that can actually be touched. Implied textures are those that are simulated or invented. Implied textures are those that are simulated or invented.

Balance Symmetrical Balance Symmetrical Balance Is exactly the same on both sides. Is exactly the same on both sides. Is also produced by the same shapes or forms on opposite sides of a composition. Is also produced by the same shapes or forms on opposite sides of a composition. Approximate symmetry has the sides slightly varied. Approximate symmetry has the sides slightly varied. Asymmetrical symmetry has unbalanced sides. Asymmetrical symmetry has unbalanced sides. Radial balance has a design that turns around a center point. Radial balance has a design that turns around a center point.

Unity When parts combine to create a sense of oneness. When parts combine to create a sense of oneness. Dominance makes a single visual element play a major part. Dominance makes a single visual element play a major part. Subordinate elements can both support the dominant object and add variety to the design. Subordinate elements can both support the dominant object and add variety to the design. Create unity with repetition of visual units, use of color, and surface quality. Create unity with repetition of visual units, use of color, and surface quality.

Contrast Different Methods Different Methods Contrasting materials. Contrasting materials. Line contrasts: using different mediums to draw. Line contrasts: using different mediums to draw. Using shape, form, and size. Using shape, form, and size. Color contrasts. Color contrasts. Contrasting Textures. Contrasting Textures. Contrasts of time and style. Contrasts of time and style. Contrasting ideas. Contrasting ideas.

Emphasis The significance or importance that you give to something. The significance or importance that you give to something. Helps an artist organize a design and establish a focal point for the viewer. Helps an artist organize a design and establish a focal point for the viewer. A Caricature is a depiction that emphasizes a distinguishing feature of a subject. A Caricature is a depiction that emphasizes a distinguishing feature of a subject. Can use simplicity, placement, grouping, isolation, size, and repetition. Can use simplicity, placement, grouping, isolation, size, and repetition. Scale is the relative size of a figure or object. Scale is the relative size of a figure or object.

Pattern The repetition of one or more elements. The repetition of one or more elements. The repeated placement of a basic unit is called a motif. The repeated placement of a basic unit is called a motif. Planned patterns Planned patterns A precise, regular repetition of motifs. A precise, regular repetition of motifs. Rows are the simplest patterns. Rows are the simplest patterns. A grid pattern is formed by intersecting vertical and horizontal lines or shapes. A grid pattern is formed by intersecting vertical and horizontal lines or shapes. A half-drop design lowers each row of motifs half the height of the row above it. A half-drop design lowers each row of motifs half the height of the row above it. A pattern created by chance or without an orderly organization is called a random pattern. A pattern created by chance or without an orderly organization is called a random pattern.

Movement and Rhythm Visual Rhythm, similar to rhythm in music and dance, is closely related to movement. Visual Rhythm, similar to rhythm in music and dance, is closely related to movement. Art that includes actively moving parts is called kinetic art. Art that includes actively moving parts is called kinetic art. Recorded Action is captured by film or videotape. Recorded Action is captured by film or videotape. Compositional movement is experienced by comparing the positions of stationary objects or spaces within a design. Compositional movement is experienced by comparing the positions of stationary objects or spaces within a design. Types of Rhythm Types of Rhythm Regular rhythm creates a repeated pattern that is both predictable and continuous. Regular rhythm creates a repeated pattern that is both predictable and continuous. Flowing rhythm seems to unify whole compositions in a peaceful but powerful way. Flowing rhythm seems to unify whole compositions in a peaceful but powerful way. Alternating is what helps overcome such boredom and can create needed interest in a composition. Alternating is what helps overcome such boredom and can create needed interest in a composition. Progressive Rhythm. Progressive Rhythm.