Elements of Design Principles

Study Notes

Elements of Design

The elements of design are the parts that structure and carry the work.

Line

A line is a path of a moving point that defines edges and can show motion.
Lines can be vertical, horizontal, diagonal, curved, straight, zigzag, thick, or thin.
Vertical lines can stop eye movement and equate power and strength.
Horizontal lines symbolize rest and relaxation.
Diagonal lines are dynamic and action-oriented.
Thick lines are more powerful than thin lines.
Lines can act as borders between ideas, concepts, or steps in a sequence.

Types of Line

Straight lines are continuous and unbroken.
Varied lines change direction and have irregular shapes.
Zigzag lines are a combination of diagonal and angular lines.
Perpendicular lines intersect at right angles.
Parallel lines never intersect.
Spiral lines are continuous and curved.
Diagonal lines are slanted and angled.
Tapered lines narrow or widen gradually.
Broken lines are made up of disconnected segments.

Shape

A shape is formed when a line encloses an area.
Shapes can be geometric or organic and vary in size and complexity.
Shapes can be simple or complex and can direct eye movement.
Simple shapes are more easily remembered and understood than complex shapes.

Form

A form is a 3-dimensional shape that occupies space or gives the illusion of occupying space.
Forms can be viewed from many different sides.
Forms can vary in size and shape.

Shape and Form

Shapes and forms can be large or small.
Shapes can be circular, triangular, square, rectangular, oval, trapezoidal, diamond, star, pentagonal, hexagonal, or octagonal.
Forms can be spherical, pyramidal, cubical, or cylindrical.

Texture

Texture is the surface quality or "feel" of an object or image.
Textures can be tactile or visual.
Tactile textures are perceived by touching the surface of an object.
Visual textures are a 2-dimensional representation of a tactile texture.
Textures can be natural or artificial.

Value

Value refers to the use of lightness and darkness in an image.
White is the lightest possible value, and black is the darkest possible value.
A color lightened with white is a tint, and a color darkened with black is a shade.

Color

Color is perceived by the way light reflects off an object.
The three properties of color are hue, intensity, and value.
Primary colors are red, blue, and yellow, and all other colors can be made using these three.
Secondary colors are green, purple, and orange, and are created by mixing two primary colors.
Tertiary colors are created by mixing primary and secondary colors.
Monochromatic colors are different shades of the same hue.
Complementary colors are opposite each other on the color wheel.
Analogous colors are groups of three colors that are next to each other on the color wheel.
Triadic colors are three colors equally spaced on the color wheel.

Color Properties

Warm colors are vivid, energetic, and tend to advance space.
Cool colors are calm and create a soothing impression.
Neutral colors are black, white, gray, and sometimes brown or beige.
Neutral colors don't usually show up on the color wheel.

Description

This quiz covers the basic elements and principles of design, including line, shape, form, texture, value, and color. It explores how these elements structure and carry the work, and how the principles affect the content and message.