Elements of Design Principles

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.