ELEMENTS OF DESIGN: "Ingredients"
​1) Line​​
Line is the visual path between two points. A line can be a continuous mark made on a surface or it can be implied by the edges of shapes or forms. ​
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Line Characteristics:
Width - thick, thin, tapering
Length - long, short, continuous, broken
Direction - horizontal, vertical, diagonal, curved, perpendicular, converging, parallel, radial, zig-zag​
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Types of Line:​
Outlines - Made by the edge of an object
Contour Lines - Describe the shape of an object/ interior detail
Gestural Lines - Are loose an energetic capturing the movement of an object or figure
Sketch Lines - Capture the basic appearance of a subject
Calligraphic - Elegant and flowing, resembling hand-written calligraphy
Implied Lines - Not actually drawn, but implied by edges of shapes and/or forms
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Uses of Line:
Creates movement through contour continuation and line direction.
Creates texture through repetition and pattern, as well as the use of more energetic and active line work.
Creates moods and emotions due to different types of lines eliciting different emotional responses.
Defines shapes through the use of contour lines and outlines.
Provides emphasis through the use of heavy line and implied lines.
Creates value through hatching, cross-hatching and stippling techniques.
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2) Shape ​​​
Shape is an area defined within a line/s. Shapes are 2-dimesional because they have height and width, but are without depth.
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Types of Shapes:
Geometric - Circles, squares, triangles, etc. These shapes are more regular and structural.
Organic - Flowers, leaves, branches, etc. These shapes are more natural and free-flowing.
Abstract - These shapes are not representational or realistic and are unrecognizable.
Positive - These are actual tangible shapes within a design.
Negative - These are the shapes are the areas surrounding the positive shapes.
Static - These shapes appear stationary and calm.
Dynamic - These shapes appear active and suggest movement.
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Uses of Shape:
Organize, connect or separate elements of a composition.
Symbolize an idea or concept.
Create movement within and through a work of art.
Provide texture or depth through repetition and/or overlapping.
Convey mood or emotion.
Provide emphasis by directing the viewer's eyes.
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​​​3) Form
​​Form is 3-Dimensional shape. Form has height, width, and depth.
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Types of Form: ​
Geometric:
Sphere
Cube
Cone
Pyramid
Cylinder​​​​
Organic - Flowers, leaves, branches, etc. These forms are more natural and free-flowing. The surfaces and edges of theses forms never perfectly straight or curved.
Abstract - These forms are not representational or realistic and are unrecognizable.
Real - These forms are actual forms that you can see and touch such as people, buildings, trees and sculptures.
Representational - These are 2-Dimensional representations of 3-Dimensional (real) forms.
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4) Color​​
Color refers to specific hues and has 3 properties, Chroma, Intensity and Value. It is produced by the light spectrum. Without light, we would be without color. Color theory and the use of a color wheel allows the artist to direct the viewer's attention and creates an emotional response to a work of art.
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Properties of Color:
Hue: Hue refers to the actual pigment of a color. All hues can be mixed from the three primary hues of red, yellow, and blue.
Value: Value refers to the lightness or darkness of a color. Tints are colors that have been mixed with white. Shades are colors that have been mixed with black.
Saturation/Intensity: Saturation refers to the purity of a color and is also called the chroma.
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Color Wheel: A visual representation and organization of the color spectrum and chromatic relationships. The root of the color wheel is the triadic relationship of the primary colors.
Primary: Colors in which all other colors are produced (RED, YELLOW, BLUE).
Secondary: Each secondary color is the result of the combination of 2 primary colors (ORANGE, VIOLET, GREEN).
Tertiary: Colors created by combining primary and secondary colors. (Yellow-Green, Red-Orange)
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Color Harmonies:
Monochromatic: Color schemes that utilize only tints and shades of one color/ hue.
Complementary: Color schemes that utilize colors/hues that are directly across from each other on the color wheel.
Split Complementary: Color schemes that utilize one color/hue with two other colors/hues that are equidistant on the color wheel from the first color's complement.
Double Complementary: Color schemes that utilize two sets of complementary colors.
Analogous: Color schemes that include a set of colors or hues that are adjacent/side by side on the color wheel.
Triadic: Color schemes that include three colors that are equidistant from each other along the color wheel.
Warm: Color schemes that utilize yellow through red-violet and are often referred to as active colors (fire). These colors tend to move forward visually in a composition.
​Cool: Color schemes that utilize yellow-green through violet and are often referred to as passive colors (water). These colors tend to fall back visually in a composition.
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5) Value​​
Value is the range from light and dark on an area or object. Value creates the greatest visual contrast (Black to White). Value contrast helps the viewer understand a 2-Dimensional image.
​ Terms:​
Shading: The darkening or coloring of an illustration with parallel or perpendicular lines and dots.​
Hatching: Shading with parallel lines, following the contour of an object/subject.​
Cross-Hatching: Shading with perpendicular lines, following the contour of an object/subject.​
Stippling: Shading with dots.​
Chiaroscuro: Comes from the Italian words chiaro (or light), and scuro (or dark). Chiaroscuro is the interplay of light and shadow on or as if on a surface.​
Contrast: The difference between lightness and darkness.​
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​ Areas of Value:​
Highlight
Light
Midtones
Shadow
Core Shadow
Reflected Light
Cast Shadow
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Categories of Value:​
Tints are created by adding white to colors in order to achieve lighter values.
Shades are created by adding black to colors in order to achieve darker values.
High-Key stand for artworks that are dominated by lighter values.
Low-Key stands for artworks dominated by darker values.
Darker values tend to imply drama or mystery.
Lighter values tend to imply happiness and a sense of welcoming.​
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Uses of Value:​
Creates a sense of realism.
Shows representational form.
Creates emphasis due to the lightest/darkest areas.​
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6) Texture​​
Texture refers to the surface quality of an object or artwork.whether it is smooth or rough. Textural variety provides visual interest for the viewer. While texture is definitely one of the more recognizable elements of design, it is not terribly effective in compositional arrangement.​
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Types of texture:​
Actual Texture: Textures on real objects that you can touch. These textures are the 3-Dimensional feel of the object. Actual texture gives the surface of an object or a work of art a relief.
Simulated/Implied Texture: Objects or art works that appear to have texture but are actually smooth and/or flat to the touch. ​
While texture is definitely one of the more recognizable elements of design, it is not terribly effective in compositional arrangement. ​
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7) Space​
Space is one of the most important elements of design. For 3-D artists, space pertains to the positive and negative space, that utilize height, width, and depth. For 2-Dimensional artists, space pertains to the arrangement of objects and/or shapes on the picture plane.
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Terms related to Space:
Positive Space: "Active" space or the area of the picture plane occupied by the subject(s).
Negative Space: "Empty" space that encapsulates and/or surrounds the positive space.
Picture Plane: The flat 2-Dimensional surface of a drawing, painting, print or photograph.
Composition: How the artist arranges the elements within space either 2-Dimensionally or 3-Dimensionally.
Focal Point: "Center of interest" -the object or area within a composition that is intended to capture the viewer's attention.
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Perspective:
Linear: Method of using linear space and lines converging towards one or more vanishing points to give the illusion of depth
A vanishing point is the point(s) to which all lines converge.
One-Point: When all objects within the picture plane recede towards a single vanishing point on the horizon line.
A horizon line separates the land from the sky.
Two-Point: When all objects within the picture plane recede towards two different vanishing points on the horizon line.
Three-Point: Based on two-point perspective and incorporates a third vanishing point either above or below the horizon line.
Non-Linear: A method creating and depicting the illusion of depth within a picture plane that is not necessarily based on parallel lines.
Overlapping: Objects that overlap other objects are visually perceived to be closer to the viewer.
Size: Smaller objects generally appear farther in the distance. Larger objects appear closer.
Atmospheric: As objects recede in space, they will appear lighter and less saturated. Objects further away exhibit a shallower range of value and less clarity.​
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PRINCIPLES OF DESIGN: ​"Recipe"
1) Balance​​
​​​​Balance balance refers to the ways in which the elements (lines, shapes, colors, textures, etc.) of a piece are arranged.
​​​​Types of Balance:
Symmetrical: The design is exactly the same on both sides.​
Asymmetrical: The design shows an absence of symmetry. For example, the artist may place a small shape on one side and a large shape on the other.​
Approximate: The design on either side of a central axis is similar, but not exact.
Radial: Parts of the design turn around a central point.
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2) Movement​
Movement creates a path for the viewer's eyes to follow across a composition.
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Types of Movement:
Kinetic (actual): The art includes actively moving parts.
Compositional: The art has no active parts, but creates movement by comparing stationary objects or spaces within a design. This can be created by contrast, emphasis, direction, lines, shapes, colors, etc.
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3) Rhythm​​​
Rhythm, similar to in music or dance is closely related to movement. It may be produced by repeating one or several units of a design.
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Types of Rhythm:
​Regular: Design parts repeat, and the space between the parts is constant.
Flowing: Large movements that sweep across the entire composition, tying each of the parts together.
Alternating: Variation and alternation of design parts that are not regular or flowing.
Progressive: Design parts repeat or change in a predictable way.
Unexpected: Jerky, irregular, or spontaneous.
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4) Contrast ​​
Contrast describes the larger differences between the elements of design within an artwork. Contrast add interest, emphasis, & excitement to a work of art.
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Types of Contrast:
Materials
Line
Shape
Form
Size
Value (light & dark)
Color
Texture
Time
Style
Ideas
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5) Emphasis​
Emphasis also known as the "focal point" is the significance or importance that you give to something within a work of art.​
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You can achieve emphasis by the placement or grouping of:
Line
Shape
Form
Color
Value
Texture
Space
Style
Scale
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6) Pattern​​
​Pattern is the repetition of one or more elements within a work of art. "Motif" stands for the repeated placement of a basic unit.​​
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Types of Pattern:​
Planned: A precise, regular and consistent repetition of motifs.
Random: Created by chance or without an orderly organization. ​
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7) Unity​
Unity is the sense of oneness or wholeness within a work of art. Artists believe that unity is of most importance because they want the parts of their design to work together in harmony.​​
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​Ways to achieve Unity:​
Dominance: Making a single element play a major part. For example, an artist might create an artwork from one material that unifies the surface or one color that occurs throughout most of the composition.
Subordinate: "Secondary" elements that can support the dominating subject and add variety of the design. For example, an artist may add additional colors or materials that repeat throughout the piece.