Elements of Design

DOMINANCE (EMPHASIS)Prepared by Dr. Ahmed AzmyEmphasisEmphasis is given to an area within the design because that area is meant to be seen or is more important to be noticed when compared to other places of the design

Emphasis in the Elements of ArtLineShapeSpaceColorValueTextureEmphasis: using ColorsColor Compliments.Ex. Red and Green

Emphasis in Your Abstract PortraitUse Color Temperature and Contrasting Organic and Geometric

Emphasis: color & Shape

Contrasting: Color Temp. and Shape TypesBlack, white, and GraysCreate emphasis using Contrast in: Shape (org. & geo.), Line (weight, org. & geo., strait, wavy, curved), Color (black next to white)

Sample from an artist:

Did he place it here?

Or on the freaky-looking woman with a green face, orange hair,and red lips?

Where is the focal point in Wassily Kandinskys, Composition VII ?

Kandinsky emphasized the large black circle in the upper left corner of his work. The object is different from everything else in the painting and therefore it "stands out".

Goya "lights" up the painting in much the same way a spotlight lights up the actors on a stage. Goya creates a very light value around the area he wants you to see. The man in the white shirt is the focal point of the painting. He uses value contrast to emphasize this area.

For an element of design to be emphasized, the presence of other elements and principles of design is essential. For instance, while preparing an architectural design of a building, without the presence of trees in the background, a road in front of the building, and perhaps a few human figures, the building design cannot be emphasized

A focal point must be dominant to draw attention and interesting enough to encourage the viewer to look further

Emphasis is achieved through contrast. Many architects create a focal point to their buildings to attract attention

An entrance is often represent a strong focal point.

Any of the elements can be contrasted: line (a curve in the midst of straight lines)

Shape (a circle in a field of squares)

Shape (a sphere over a sharp line mass)

Colour (red path on a background of grays and blacks)

Colour (green doom on a background of gray)

Texture (rough vs. smooth)

Contrast can also be created by contrasting orientation in space (horizontal, vertical, diagonal).

Style (a historical style in a modern surrounding)

Style (a modern style in a traditional surrounding)

Size (a huge mass emphasis the entrance)

Size (a huge mass emphasis the entrance)

Size (a big window emphasis the hall behind it)

An anomaly, or something that departs from the norm, will also stand out and grab our attention

Isolating an element from the others by its position in space will also create emphasis

Emphasis can also be created by placement. Implied lines all directed toward the same place can create a focal point there

Focus of emphasis Emphasis in plans

Focus of emphasis Emphasis in facade

Focus of emphasis Emphasis in form

Focus of emphasis Emphasis in form

Focus of emphasis Emphasis in interior design

Architectural features such as fireplaces or decorative works of art are often used as focal points.Focus of emphasis Emphasis in interior designIf you dont have a natural focal point in your space, such as a fireplace for example, you can create one by highlighting a particular piece of furniture, artwork, or by simply painting a contrasting colour in one area. Try to maintain balance, though, so that the focal point doesnt hog all of the attention.

An important thing to remember about emphasis is that if everything is emphasized (all text is large and bold, all images are animated or flashing, everything is in bright colors) then nothing will stand out, nothing will be emphasized, nothing will grab the viewers attention.

End of lecture