Elements and principles of design
Elements of Design
- Line: The most basic element of design. Lines can be thick or thin, straight or curved, and are used to divide space, control movement and create forms in an artwork.
- Shape: A closed contour that could be geometric (circular, square) or organic (naturally occurring shapes, like leaves or animals).
- Colour: One of the expressive components of design. Vital to consider hue (the colour itself), saturation (the purity of the colour), and value (the brightness or darkness of the colour).
- Texture: The perceived surface quality of a work. Can be physical (actual texture) or visual (the illusion of a texture).
- Value: Refers to lightness and darkness, crucial in the creation of a sense of depth or emphasis in a piece. High value indicates light areas; low value indicates dark areas.
- Space: The open or empty area around objects. Can be two-dimensional or three-dimensional, positive (filled space) or negative (empty space).
- Form: Describes volume and mass, or the three-dimensionality of an object. Can by physical form (3D sculpture) or visual form (illusion on a 2D surface).
Principles of Design
- Balance: A way of ensuring visual equilibrium and a sense of stability. Can be symmetrical (equal weight on both sides), asymmetrical (different but still balanced), or radial (elements radiate from a central point).
- Contrast: The juxtaposition of different elements of design (e.g. light vs. dark, smooth vs. textured) to highlight their differences and/or create visual interest or focal points.
- Emphasis: Making one area of a work stand out, often achieved through contrast or placement in the composition.
- Movement: The path the viewer’s eye travels over the artwork, guided by lines, edges, shape and colour.
- Pattern: The repetition of a particular shape or element, contributing to harmony in a piece.
- Rhythm: A type of movement in an artwork, created through patterns or repetition to create visual tempo or beat.
- Unity/Harmony: The agreement between elements, creating a sense of completeness or wholeness.
- Scale/Proportion: The relationship of size between different elements within a composition, contributing to visual stability and emphasis.