Elements and Principles of Design

ELEMENTS OF DESIGN

Definition

The elements of design are the fundamental aspects of any visual design which include line, shape, form, colour and texture. Graphic designers use the elements of design to create an image that can convey a certain mood, draw the eye in a certain direction, or evoke a number of feelings. While the elements of design form the basics of any image, designers alsolean on the principles of design, which are a set of practices of working with the elements of design that make a composition look pleasing to the eye.

ELEMENTS OF DESIGN

·       Line

·       Shape

·       Value

·       Color

·       Texture

·       Space

·       Form

1.     Line

Line refers to the way that two points in space are connected. Whether they’re horizontal lines, diagonal lines, or vertical lines, lines can help direct the eye toward a certain point in your composition. You can also create texture by incorporating different types of lines such as curved or patterned lines instead of just straight lines.

2.     Shape

     In its most basic form, a shape is a two-dimensional area that is surrounded by an outline. Graphic artists can use other elements including line, color, value, and shadow to give a shape the appearance of a three-dimensional shape. There are three types of shapes: organic shapes which occur naturally in the world, geometric shapes which are angular and mathematically consistent, and abstract shapes that represent things in nature but aren’t perfectly representative.

3.     Value

In design, value refers to the lightness or darkness of a color. The values of a color are often visualized in a gradient, which displays a series of variations on one hue, arranged from the lightest to the darkest. Artists can use the various values of color to create the illusion of mass and volume in their work

4.     Color

     Color helps establish a mood for your composition. When light waves strike an object and reflect back to the optic nerve in a human’s eyes, the sensation they perceive is called color. Artists and designers use color to depict and describe the subject. Color is used by designers toportray mood, light, depth, and point of view. Designers use the color wheel and the tenets ofcolor theory-a set of guidelines for mixing, combining, and manipulating colors-to create color schemes.

5.     Texture

Texture is one of the elements of design that is used to represent through an object appears or feels. Tactile texture is a physical sense of touch, whether it’s rough, smooth, or ribbed. Visualtexture, on the other hand, refers to the imagined feel of the illustrated texture, which can create more visual interest and a heightened sensory experience.

6.     Space

     Making proper use of space can help others view your design as you intended. Whitespace or negative space is the space between or around the focal point of an image. Positive space is the space that your subject matter takes up in your composition. The spacing of your design is important because a layout that’s too crowded can over whelm the viewer’s eye.

7.     Form

Form pertains to the way that a shape or physical configuration occupies space. Instead of creating form through three-dimensional physical shape, designers create the appearance of formon a flat surface by using light, shadow, the appearance of an object’s contours, negative space, and the surrounding objects around the subject matter.

PRINCIPLES OF DESIGN

1.     Emphasis

2.     Balance

3.     Rhythm

4.     Harmony

5.     Proportion

6.     Unity

7.     Contrast

1.    Emphasis

Emphasis is the part of the design that catches the viewer’s attention. Usually the artist will make one area stand out by contrasting it with other areas. The area could be different in size, color, texture, shape, etc.

2.    Balance

The principles of design describe the ways that artists use the elements of art in a work of art. Balance is the distribution of the visual weight of objects, colors, texture, and space. If the design was a scale, these elements should be balanced to make a design feel stable.

·       Symmetrical

Symmetrical balance occurs when equal weights are on equal sides of a composition, balanced around a fulcrum or axis in the center. Symmetrical balance evokes feelings of formality (it’s sometimes called formal balance) and elegance.

·       Asymmetrical

Asymmetrical balance occurs when you have different visual images on either side of a design, and yet the image still seems balanced. To be considered asymmetrical, a design needs to have unequal visual weight on either side, but those unequal visuals need to balance each other.

·       Radial

Radial balance is often a type of symmetrical balance that is circular in nature as visual elements radiate from a central point.

·       Mosaic

Sometimes called crystallographic balance, mosaic balance is a type of organized chaos. It may look like “noise” at first because of a distinct lack of focal point, but upon closer inspection you will find that it all works together when the elements share some type of uniform emphasis.

·       Discordant

Discordant balance is when elements aren’t balanced at all on purpose.

3.    Rhythm

Rhythm is a principle of design that suggests movement or action. Rhythm is usually achieved through repetition of lines, shapes, colors, and more. It creates a visual tempo in art works and provides a path for the viewer’s eye to follow.

4.    Harmony

        Harmony occurs when the overall design, garment, achieves visual unity. Harmony occurs when all elements work well together. If similar colors are used and shapes are repeated in a consistent pattern, this would be considered a harmonious fashion piece. For example, a polka dot pattern on a blouse that is consistent throughout the piece would be considered harmonious.

5.    Proportion

Proportion is the pleasing interrelationship between parts of a design. The various elements in the design should be scaled in size of it its overall proportion. Emphasis creates a center of interest in a garment.

6.    Unity

Unity is all about creating harmony in your designs. It involves using harmonious colors, shapes and textures, balancing positive and negative space, and playing with repetition, proximity and alignment.  

7.    Contrast

The design principle contrast refers to the use of visually different elements. In addition to capturing attention, contrast can guide the viewer’s eye to a focal point, highlight important information and add variety, or even drama, to a design.