Background: Elements of Design-Art-Design · 2013. 1. 7. · Art/Design and Communication...

Knowledge and Employability Studio Knowledge/Background/Art/Design Art/Design and Communication Background: Elements of Design—Art/Design 1/20 ©Alberta Education, Alberta, Canada (www.LearnAlberta.ca) 2006

Texture

Value

Colour

Space

Form

Shape

Line

Elementsof

Design

Background: Elements of Design—Art/Design

The elements and principles of design are the visual ingredients used to create art. These ingredients may be discussed separately but can never be fully separated within a work of art. Rather, the elements and principles of design build on one another to create visual statements in any media. The elements of design describe the structure and properties of all physical things.

Illustrations in this document are reproduced with permission (pending) from the Calgary Board of Education Art Team (Neil Golden, Peter Lewin), Program Development, 1981.


Line Characteristics of Line As an element of design, line:

• is a moving point through space • varies in width, length, curvature, direction

and texture • is natural or man-made • is created in a variety of materials with a

variety of tools • is used by humans to decorate objects.

Vocabulary of Line Straight goes in one direction only Curved has a gradual change in direction Angular has an abrupt change in direction Vertical up and down, top to bottom Horizontal side to side Converging coming together at a point Rhythmic flowing, regular lines Contour Area separates an area of space from its surroundings Linear used to show distance or depth Perspective Spiral circles repeatedly around a point in decreasing or increasing

curves Hatching close grouping of short parallel lines Crosshatching has many overlapping lines


Line Related to Shape A line that meets itself creates a shape. Lines that describe the boundary or shape of an object are called outside contour lines.

Line Related to Form Inside contour lines give a shape the illusion of form.

Line Related to Space A feeling of space on a flat sheet of paper is created by having lines directed toward a point or points in the distance. Using lines to show depth is called linear perspective.


Line Related to Value Line is used to give the illusion of tone, i.e., light and dark, by grouping, crowding, thickening, overlapping or repeating lines. Line Related To Texture Rhythmic arrangements of line create actual texture, e.g., weaving, wire sculpture, or the illusion of texture; e.g., drawing.


Shape Characteristics of Shape As an element of design, shape:

• is a flat, two-dimensionally defined area • is an area of value, colour or line—or all three • is created by colour limits or edges • varies in quality; e.g., geometric, organic,

mass, size and texture • varies in quality, based on the hardness or softness of the edge.

Vocabulary of Shape Transparent can be seen through or lets light through Translucent semitransparent; allows some light to pass through Opaque cannot be seen though or let light through Geometric all shapes are based on the square, circle and triangle Shapes Organic shapes free-flowing shapes with irregular contours Positive geometric and organic shapes enclosed by lines Negative shapes that surround the positive shapes to form the

background Motif single decorative design Pattern repeated motif


Shape Related to Line Line is created when a shape is elongated or repeated in a sequence.

Shape Related to Form Shapes create the illusion of form when they appear to have depth, length and width.

Shape Related to Space The principles of linear perspective are used to create special effects.

• Varying the size of similar shapes creates an illusion of space—large shapes appear to advance and smaller shapes to recede.

• Overlapping shapes creates the illusion of space.


Shape Related to Colour The size and placement of a shape affect one’s perception of colour. Shape Related to Texture Shapes of various sizes and qualities are grouped, clustered or overlapped to create texture.


Form Characteristics of Form As an element of design, form:

• is a three-dimensional shape, having length, width and depth

• varies in quality; e.g., geometric, organic, mass, size and texture

• varies in quality based on the hardness or softness of the edge.

Vocabulary of Form Geometric precise mathematical form Organic free-flowing irregular form Mass the appearance of weight in a form Transparent can be seen through or lets light through Translucent semitransparent; allows some light to pass through Opaque cannot be seen though or let light through Edge outer limits or boundaries Positive solid, tangible form Negative space that surrounds or exists between forms Open mass surrounded and invaded by negative space Closed completely solid mass surrounded by negative space Relief cutting into or adding onto a surface of a form


Form Related to Line Line is created when a form is elongated or forms are repeated in a sequence. Form Related to Space Form exists in space—either real, e.g., three dimensional, or illusionary; e.g., two dimensional.


Form Related to Colour/Value The way in which light falls on a form affects one’s perception of colour and/or colour value. Form Related to Texture Forms applied to a surface change the texture of the original form.


Space Characteristics of Space As an element of design, space:

• is the three-dimensional area surrounding and flowing through three-dimensional objects; i.e., negative space

• exists in connection with mass, i.e., the object itself or positive space

• is of equal importance to mass • exists only when line, shape, form, colour, value or texture are involved • is depicted on a two-dimensional plane, using various techniques.

Vocabulary of Space Positive space the solid parts of the shapes or forms Negative space the empty or unoccupied areas of the shapes or forms Mass a bulk or volume of matter in space Two-dimensional having two dimensions: length and width Three-dimensional having three dimensions: length, width and depth Perspective an illusion of depth on a 2-dimensional surface Linear perspective using lines to show depth Picture plane the surface on which an artist works Vanishing a point or points to which all lines going into space Point(s) appear to recede Value-tonal differences of light and dark areas Contract


Space Related to Line Parallel lines running to a vanishing point, i.e., linear perspective, creates an illusion of depth and distance; i.e., space. Space Related to Shape/Form Overlapping shapes and forms causes some objects to appear further away than others. Varying the size of similar objects causes those that are smaller to appear further away than those that are larger.


Shape Related to Colour/Value The colour surrounding an object influences whether that object appears to advance or recede. Contrasting colours create an illusion of depth. Tonal contrast, or light and dark areas, gives an object the appearance of volume, depth and solidity. Light and shadow falling on an object has a similar effect.

Space Related to Texture

An illusion of space is created by increasing and decreasing the texture intensity on the surface of an object. Detailed, sharp, clear and bold textures seem to advance while hazy, dull and smaller, less-detailed textures recede.


Colour/Value Characteristics of Colour/Value As an element of design, colour/value:

• is produced by different wavelengths of white light

• can be translucent, transparent or opaque

• is divided into primary, secondary, tertiary and neutral categories • can change in value by adding black or white.

Vocabulary of Colour/Value Primary Colours three basic colours from which all other colours are made; i.e.,

red, yellow and blue Secondary Colours combination of any two primary colours; e.g., orange, green,

purple Tertiary Colours combination of a primary colour and a secondary colour; e.g.,

blue-green Neutral Colours white, black and grey Value lightness or darkness of a colour Tints light values of a colour made from the colour and varying

amounts of white Shades dark values of a colour made from the colour and varying

amounts of black Intensity brightness or dullness of a colour, changed by adding a neutral

colour or the colour’s complement Monochromatic various tints and shades of a colour Complements colours directly opposite each other on the colour wheel Analogous two or three adjacent colours on the colour wheel; e.g., yellow

and orange and red Transparent can be seen through or let light through


Translucent semitransparent; allows some light to pass through Opaque cannot be seen through or let light through


Colour/Value Related to Line A line is created where areas of colour or value are in close proximity, meet or overlap.

Colour/Value Related to Shape

An area of colour or value is a shape. Colour/Value Related to Form Controlled colour or value changes, within shapes, create the illusion of form.


Colour/Value Related to Space Contrast in colour or value creates the illusion of space. Colour Related to Value

The value of a colour is changed by the addition of black and/or white and is affected by surrounding colours or colour values. Colour/Value Related to Texture Colour or value changes create the illusion of texture.


Texture Characteristics of Texture As an element of design, texture:

• is the quality of a surface • can be natural or man-made • is another dimension that helps to identify or

describe an object • is perceived tactually, i.e., by touching surfaces, and visually; i.e., by seeing the

way light reflects off these surfaces • can be invented, simulated or actual.

Vocabulary of Texture Surface exterior part; a two-dimensional plane Actual existing in fact; real Simulated having the appearance or form of but is not the real thing; an

attempt to replicate the exact textures found in nature on a two-dimensional surface

Invented entirely fictitious; not existing in or replicating something from

nature Contrast place in opposition so as to set off differences; e.g., black and

white Tactile pertaining to the sense of touch Matte smooth but not shiny Rough having an uneven surface; coarse in texture Highlights area of importance; area that stands out visually Feathery soft, flowing, wispy, lightweight texture Repetition act of repeating over and over


Texture Related to Line Texture used in a specific direction becomes a line.

Texture Related to Shape A concentrated area of texture creates a shape.

Texture Related to Form Varying the size and concentration of texture makes or changes a form. Texture Related to Space The illusion of space is created by varying the intensity of the texture on a surface. Detailed and bold textures seem to advance. Less detailed and hazy textures seem to recede.

Background: Elements of Design-Art-Design · 2013. 1. 7. · Art/Design and Communication...

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