The Elements of Design: Everything You Need to Know PRESENTATION BY PEYTON SIMS
Element #1 - Line What is the line element? The line element defines shapes, figures, and motion. What are the different types of lines? Different types of lines include contour lines, implied lines, gesture lines, outlines, calligraphic lines, and sketch lines. What are the characteristics of lines? Lines can be vertical, horizontal, curved, curly, diagonal, dotted, broken, spiral, and zigzag lines Learn more… Example of line →
Element #2 - Shape What is the shape element? Shape is when a line is enclosed. What are the different types of shapes? The two most important types of shapes are geometric and organic. Geometric: Geometric shapes are things like triangles and circles. They usually have names and are used in math. Organic: Organic shapes don’t follow a specific set of rules. They are random and can be found in nature. There are other types of shapes such as negative shapes, positive shapes, static shapes, and dynamic shapes. Example of a geometric shape → Learn more…
Element #3 - Form What is the form element? Form describes three-dimensional objects. They have length, width, and height. What are the types of form? Similar to the shape element, form has two categories – organic and geometric. Geometric: Geometric shapes are things like rectangular prisms and cubes. They usually have names and are used in math. Organic: Organic shapes don’t follow a specific set of rules. They are random and can be found in nature. Example of organic form → Learn more…
Element #4 - Space What is the space element? The space element refers to the space around an object. It can also refer to the space inside the object. What are the different types of space? Positive Space: The actual art piece itself. Negative Space: The space around the art piece. Picture Plane: The flat surface the art piece was created on. Composition: The organization of the elements in the art piece. Focal Point: The part of the art piece that the creator wants people to focus on. Learn more…
Element #5 - Value What is the value element? Value is the lightness or darkness of a color/hue. Value can help create a three-dimensional look in an art piece. What are the different types of value? Tint: Adding white to a color to make it lighter. Shade: Adding black to a color to make it darker. High-Key: An art piece that only utilizes light values. Low-Key: An art piece that only utilizes dark values. Learn more… Example of a value scale →
Element #6 - Color What is the color element? Color is created by reflections of light. Color can be organized in a color wheel. What are the different types of color? Primary Colors: Red, yellow, and blue. They make all the other colors. Secondary Colors: Orange, green, and purple. Intermediate Colors: Red-orange, blue-violet, yellow-green. Created by mixing a primary and secondary color. Complementary Colors: Colors that are opposite to each other on the wheel. EX: red and blue. Analogous Colors: Colors that are next to each other on the wheel. EX: blue and blue-violet. Example of the color wheel → Learn more…
Element #7 - Texture What is the texture element? Texture is the quality of the surface of an art piece. It is how an art piece feels. What are the different types of texture? Impasto: Adds a raised effect that adds depth. Faux: Copies the effect of the natural elements. Gritty: Makes rough and uneven surfaces. Smooth: Gives an even look. Stippled: Created by adding many small dots. Can be used to do things such as blur a picture. Drybrush: Gives a broken look. Example of stippled texture → Learn more…
Element #8 - Type What is the type element? The arrangement of words and letters. It is also known as typography. What are the different elements in typography? Fonts: The representation of texts. EX: Typefaces: A style of design that includes multiple fonts. EX: Contrast: Shows what messages you want your viewers to focus on. Consistency: Keeping your typefaces consistent. White Space: The space that surrounds the text. Alignment: The composition of texts, images, and graphics. Color: The value, hue, and saturation of the text. Hierarchy: Differentiates the most important text from the normal text. Example of typography → Learn more…
The Principles of Design: Everything You Need to Know PRESENTATION BY PEYTON SIMS
Principle #1 - Balance What is the balance principle? The distribution of weight in an art piece. Balanced on a horizontal or vertical axis. What are the different types of balance? Symmetrical: Two halves of the art piece are exactly the same. Asymmetrical: Two halves do not copy each other but are similar. Radial: Based around a central point. Learn more…
Principle #2 - Proportion What is the proportion principle? The relationship between the components in an art piece. What are the different types of proportion? Standard: Correct proportions based on reality. Altered: The manipulation of correct proportion. Hierarchical: Displays a certain hierarchy. Out of: Some of the components’ proportion are incorrect. Learn more…
Principle #3 - Unity What is the unity principle? When all the components in a piece work together. What are the techniques used to create unity? Simplicity: Decreasing the volume of variety. This can be achieved through a simple lack of color. Repetition: Repeating a certain pattern. Proximity: The closeness of the components in a piece. Learn more…
Principle #4 - Rhythm What is the rhythm principle? A pattern created in a piece by repetition. What are the different types of rhythm? Regular: The components are arranged in a certain order. Flowing: The arrangement of the components gives a sense of fluidity. Progressive: The arrangement gives a gradual increase/decrease in things like size and color. Alternating: The pattern of the components change. Random: The components are randomly arranged. Learn more…
Principle #5 - Contrast What is the contrast principle? Using unlike components to increase the properties of the art piece. What are the types of contrast? Color Contrast: The contrast of colors. Tonal Contrast: The contrast of monotones. What is contrast used for? To tell stories. To display a certain theme. To add depth. To add dimension. Learn more…
Principle #6 - Emphasis What is the emphasis principle? The intended focus of a certain component in an art piece. What are different ways to create emphasis? Contrast: When one component is unlike the rest. Isolation: When a component is away from the rest. Location: When a component is in a focal spot. Convergence: When edges and lines direct the viewer to the focal point. Learn more…
Elements References ELEMENTS OF ART-COLOR | Cascadia Art Museum. https://www.cascadiaartmuseum.org/elements-of-art-color/. Accessed 18 Sept. 2023. Meyer, Isabella. “Line in Art - Discover the Different Types of Line in Art.” Artincontext.Org, 15 July 2022, https://artincontext.org/line-in-art/. “Space in Art: Elements of Art.” Fine Art Tutorials, https://finearttutorials.com/guide/space-in-art/. Accessed 18 Sept. 2023. “Texture in Art — Definition, Examples & Types Explained.” StudioBinder, 16 Apr. 2023, https://www.studiobinder.com/blog/what-is-texture-in-art-definition/. The Elements of Art - Form. https://thevirtualinstructor.com/form.html. Accessed 18 Sept. 2023. The Elements of Art - Shape. https://thevirtualinstructor.com/Shape.html. Accessed 18 Sept. 2023. Typography: What Is It? The Complete Guide for 2023. 20 Jan. 2021, https://careerfoundry.com/en/blog/ui-design/beginnersguide-to-typography/. Meyer, Isabella. “Value in Art - Understanding Value as an Element of Art.” Artincontext.Org, 6 July 2022, https://artincontext.org/value-in-art/.
Principles References Balance - A Principle of Art. 24 Apr. 2018, https://thevirtualinstructor.com/blog/balance-a-principle-of-art. Emphasis - A Principle of Art. 4 June 2018, https://thevirtualinstructor.com/blog/emphasis-a-principle-ofart. “Proportion in Art Explained — Definition and Examples.” StudioBinder, 25 Dec. 2022, https://www.studiobinder.com/blog/what-is-proportion-in-art-definition/. “Rhythm in Art — Principles, Types & Techniques.” StudioBinder, 23 Apr. 2023, https://www.studiobinder.com/blog/what-is-rhythm-in-art-definition/. Unity, Harmony, and Variety - Principles of Art. 21 June 2018, https://thevirtualinstructor.com/blog/unityharmony-and-variety-principles-of-art. “Why Contrast Is the Golden Rule in Composing an Image.” StudioBinder, 17 July 2022, https://www.studiobinder.com/blog/what-is-contrast-in-art-definition/.