Design elements
Understanding Design Elements
- Line: A basic design element that refers to the path between two points. Lines can be straight, curved, horizontal, vertical, or diagonally set.
- Shape: A closed line, or shapes are defined by boundaries and include geometric or organic shapes.
- Form: Related to shape, but is three-dimensional, having length, width, and depth. Objects with form convey volume and solidity.
- Space: The distance or area around or within parts of a piece. Can be positive (filled with content) or negative (empty areas).
- Colour: Pertains to the hue, intensity and value of an object. Different colours can evoke different emotional responses.
Exploring the Role of Design Elements
- Line adds direction and movement in a design. They lead the eye from one point to another.
- Shape affects meaning. Certain shapes are often associated with certain concepts or feelings.
- Form is crucial in three-dimensional design as it gives an object its depth and solidity. The way light plays off form also greatly contributes to visual perceptions.
- Space can be manipulated to add depth or to highlight other design elements. It impacts the balance and harmony of a design.
- Colour affects mood, draws attention and indicates importance.
Experimenting with Design Elements
- Changing the thickness or curvature of a line can greatly alter the perceived movement and direction of a design.
- Creating new shapes by combining basic shapes can add complexity and interest.
- Form manipulation can be used to dramatically alter the look and feel of an object. Rotating, stretching, scaling and skewing are common form manipulations.
- Exploring different uses of space can lead to new design ideas. Consider the possibilities of both negative and positive space.
- Using colour schemes effectively can change the entire mood of a design. Consider the effects of complementary, analogous, triadic and monochromatic colour schemes.
Applying Design Elements in Practice
- Use lines to create paths for the eye to follow in your design.
- Choose shapes that support the meaning you are trying to convey.
- Use form to give your design a sense of depth and volume.
- Leave empty space as needed to avoid overwhelming your design and to bring balance and harmony.
- Choose a colour scheme and stick to it for cohesiveness in your design.