Elements of Design

 

Line- a moving “point”, a mark.

2-dimensional (ex. Pencil drawing).

3-dimensional (ex. Wire), and implied

Line qualities:                                                                       

1. Line direction: vertical, horizontal and diagonal

2. Line type: straight, curvy, zig-zag, etc.

3. Line style: thick, thin, dotted, dashed, double line, etc.

 

Shape- a two-dimensional enclosed area.  Examples are squares, circles, rectangles, triangles, etc.

Shape types:

Geometric, Organic, amorphous

 

Form- a three-dimensional figure enclosing volume: 3-dimensional= having a length, width, and depth. 

Shading (the use of different values) is required to create form or volume in a 2-dimensional artwork, such as a drawing.

 

Color- The way our eye perceives things (objects). Examples are red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple, brown, black, white, etc. 

Hue - the name of a color

Tint- lighter value of a color (add white)

Shade- darker value of a color (add black)

Intensity- brightness or dullness of a color

Warm colors- red, orange, yellow or any related colors.

Cool colors- blue, green, purple or any related colors.

Primary colors- blue, red, yellow; color you cannot create

Secondary colors- colors that are created by mixing 2 of the 3 primary colors (orange, green, purple).

Intermediate colors – colors that are created by mixing a primary with a secondary (yellow-orange).

Complementary colors- colors that appear opposite each other on the color wheel.

            (Ex. Red-Green, Blue-Orange, and Yellow-Purple)

 

Value- The lightness of darkness of a color or tone.

Related Art Principle: Contrast- difference between an art element (In this case difference between white and black)

Tonal value scale- a scale that begins at white and gradually, by using various gray tones turns to black.

Color Value Scale – a scale that begins with a very light tint of a color and gradually darkens into a dark shade of the same color.

 

Texture- Refers to surface “feel”. Examples include rough, smooth, soft, prickly, etc.

Actual texture- the texture you can actually touch.

Implied texture-the created, simulated, invented texture in 2-dimensional artworks.

 

Space- Distance or area around, between, behind etc. an object.

Ways to create depth in a 2-D work of art:

§       Use vanishing points (one and two point perspective)

§       Change sizes of elements/objects

§       Color (dull/dark versus bright/light)

§       Overlapping of elements/objects

§       Use details (less the further away an object is)

 

 

Principles of Art and Design

 

The Principles are guidelines for how artists use or organize the elements of art.

 

Rhythm - indicates movement by the repetition of elements.  Spacing between the elements also affects the rhythm. (Concept is similar to Rhythm in music.)

 

One unit of the pattern

Pattern - elements that repeat in an organized way

Motif -  (pattern) a unit that is repeated; unit=

Module - a unit of a three-dimensional patterns

Types of Rhythm - Random, Regular, Alternating, Flowing, and Progressive.

 

Movement - used to create the look and feeling of action and guides the viewer's eyes throughout the work of art.

         Kinetic movement – a piece of art that actually moves

 

Balance - concerned with equalizing visual forces or elements in a work of art.  Imbalance creates a feeling of uneasiness. 

Central Axis - dividing line that works like the point of balance in the balance scale.

Types of Balance - Formal Balance: Symmetry, Informal Balance: Asymmetry, and Radial Balance

 

Emphasis – Using the differences of the art elements to place greater attention on a certain area.

         The Focal Point is the part of the piece that your eye is drawn to first.

 

Unity –.  Oness, nothing sticks out and distracts you from seeing the whole piece. Can be described as "Harmony".

         Wise Proportions create a pleasing relationship among all the parts in the piece.

         Variety adds interest to the piece

 

Contrast - concerned with the differences of ANY of the art elements used in the piece.

         You can have contrast of color as well as contrast in the types of line used.

 

Other important terms:

Composition, however not an art element or principle, is very important.  It is the selection and arrangement of the elements according to the principles.  Also referred to as the “design” of the piece.

 

Medium – What an artwork is made of or how it is made.

 

Subject matter – what an artwork is OF; i.e. a portrait is OF a person