ELEMENTS OF DESIGN

1. Colour
2. Texture
3. Form
4. Space
5. Line
6. Shape
DESIGN PRINCIPLES
1. PLP
2. Balance
3. Dominance
4. Unity
5. Contrast
6. Scale
LINE-A fundamental mark or stroke used in drawing in which the
length is longer than the width. Two connected points form a line
and every line has a length, width, and direction.
This image contains contour lines (the outline of the birds) and
decoration lines (Hatching)
Uses for lines in design
Contour Line: A line that defines or bounds an edge, but not always
the outside edge, could represent a fold or colour change.
Divide space: A line that defines the edge of space can also be
created by a gap of negative space. Many uses include to separate
columns, rows of type, or to show a change in document type.
Decoration: Lines are used in linear shapes and patterns to decorate
many different substrates and can be used to create shadows
representing tonal value, called hatching.
Colour-Colour comes in many forms; there are three primary colours,
red yellow and blue
These are the three colours that make different types of
complementary and secondary colours
Colours that are directly opposite to each other are called
complementary colours, colours such as red and green
Different groups of Complementary colours are used together to
enhance the image and create extreme contrast.
More harmonious effects can be used by using colours that are
closer to each other on the colour wheel such as a orange and a
lighter orange.
Colours can be also considered as warm or cool, Red being the
hottest colour whereas purple being the coldest colour
SHAPE-
When a line encloses a area a legitimate shape is formed
Shapes do not have to be just simple forms of shapes such as
triangles and squares, they can vary endlessly
Shapes are objects that stick out of different environments due to
their colour, value or texture
Simple shapes such as a combination of rectangles and squares can
remember easier then complex uneven shapes.
Shapes define figure to ground relationships
Shapes can be two dimensional, with no volume or mass. Therefore a
painting can have shapes. And a monument or sculpture can have
three dimensions with volume and mass
TEXTURE-Texture is defined as the characteristics of an object
whether it be by touch or the illusion of touch
Interesting Texture art images can be created using simple items
such as rubbish to create a artistic interesting image.
Texture can be used to draw attention to a certain object, by
accenting a area of a certain shape.
SPACE-Objects can be overlapped with other objects to form a
illusion that the object that was overlapped is further away
Objects that are further away use less contrast making the
foreground have clear sharper contrast otherwise known as
Atmospheric prospective
Linear perspective is the idea that all lines in a image converge at
some point. A example of linear perspective might be when you look
down a long road or highway. Linear perspective can be used to draw
the viewers attention to a certain object towards the middle of
where the two lines converge
FORM-Form is any three dimensional object
Form can be measured left to right or width to length or form black
to font to form depth, It can also be defined by light or dark
There are two types of form geometric (manmade) or the organic
form (natural)
Can be made with multiple shapes it is then enhanced by texture
colour and tone.
UNITY-Unity is the grouping of objects together in close proximity
this allows us to see a pattern
A constant colour in a drawing can be used to combine a certain
piece of work together this method is called repetition
Subtle line use is also used in paintings and drawings to tie the
picture together this method is otherwise known as Continuation
PLP-Point Line and Plane are the three most essential important, a
good design contains all three
BALANCE-Symmetrical balance is a form of balance for design; a
symmetrical drawing is achieved by a line of symmetry down the
middle and both drawings being the same on opposing sides
Artists use Techniques such as Asymmetrical balance, where one
image on a painting is bigger than the other
Colour can be used to balance drawings with vibrant colours and
neutral and vivid colours
Value is also used to darken and lighten the image focusing attention
or no attention to the image
Blur is also used in images to focus attention on a sharper image
SCALE-The effect of showing normally smaller objects in a larger
fashion in a picture
By using unrealistic scales and sizes of random objects in a image to
create a twist of confusion making it interesting
Scale can be used to make a object seem intimidating by enlarging it
DOMINANCE- Dominance is the arrangement of unimportant dull
colours to form greater contrast, This is most noticeable with
dominant and subordinate colour arrangements.
Dominance gives a painting interest counteracting confusion; a larger
object in a image of other smaller objects can give interest with the
use of dominance
The number of different shapes in an image largely increased can
give an interesting look to it
Dominance gives simplicity to a image and avoids confusion, a
example of this can be the greater number of vertical lines to
horizontal lines in a image.
CONTRAST-Objects and colours that are dissimilar to each other to
create a attractive interesting image
Contrast can also be created by objects that do not usually go
together such as a square and a circle
Contrast gives variety and brings the image to life