Elements & Principles of Design

Elements of Design

The elements are components or parts which can be isolated and

defined in any visual design or work of art. They are the structure of the

work, and can carry a wide variety of messages.

Line, Shape, Space, Color, Form, Texture, Value

Line• Line is the path of a

moving point. Lines can be vertical, horizontal, diagonal, curved, angular, zigzag, bent, straight, interrupted, thick, thin, parallel, cross-hatched, or spiral. Lines can be implied, an outline showing the edge of something.

Line, Shape, Space, Color, Form, Texture, Value

Shape• The two-dimensional

are enclosed by an outline; height and width. Shape can be realistic, geometric, abstract, idealized, naturalistic, nonrepresentational, amorphous and biomorphic

Line, Shape, Space, Color, Form, Texture, Value

Space• The distance or area

between, around above, below, and within things. Negative spaces surround positive shapes. Artist create the illusion of a background, foreground, and middle ground.

Line, Shape, Space, Color, Form, Texture, Value

Color• Hue• Primary colors• Secondary color• Tertiary colors• Complementary colors• Analogous colors• Intensity• Warm colors• Color colors• Neutrals• Tone• Tint• Shade• Monochromatic• Achromatic

Complementary colors

Analogous colors

Line, Shape, Space, Color, Form, Texture, Value

Form• The three-

dimensional height, width and depth. Forms can be cubes, spheres, pyramids, and cylinders. Flowing asymmetrical forms are free form or organic.

Line, Shape, Space, Color, Form, Texture, Value

Texture• Real or actual texture• Implied or simulated

texture: those that can be felt painted or drawn texture

• Texture can be slick, smooth, rough, velvety, satiny, bumpy,…

Line, Shape, Space, Color, Form, Texture, Value

Value• Differences in hue or

neutral ranging from the light to the darkest, for example, white to black.

Line, Shape, Space, Color, Form, Texture, Value

Principles of Design

Principles of Design are the different ways the elements of art have been used in artwork.

The elements of art are organized by artist to create a

composition. Balance, Emphasis, Rhythm, Unity, Contrast, Movement

Balance• The equilibrium or

stability of various elements may be arranged formal (symmetrical) or elements may be arranged informal (asymmetrical). Radial symmetry arranges elements from a central point.

Balance, Emphasis, Rhythm, Unity, Contrast, Movement

Pattern• An overall interplay of

repeated or corresponding parts

Emphasis• The center of interest

or focal point, which may be the largest, brightest, or lightest subject.

Balance, Emphasis, Rhythm, Unity, Contrast, Movement

Regularrhythm

Flowingrhythm

Progressiverhythm

Rhythm• Rhythm is the repetition or alternation

of elements, often with defined intervals between them. Rhythm can create a sense of movement, and can establish pattern and texture. Regular:

• A regular rhythm occurs when the intervals between the elements, and often the elements themselves, are similar in size or length.

• Flowing: A flowing rhythm gives a sense of movement, and is often more organic in nature.

• Progressive: A progressive rhythm shows a sequence of forms through a progression of steps.

Balance, Emphasis, Rhythm, Unity, Contrast, Movement

Unity• The harmony of all

the visual elements in a composition. The feeling of completeness or wholeness of a balance and organized composition of the elements and principles.

Balance, Emphasis, Rhythm, Unity, Contrast, Movement

Contrast• Contrast in art and

design occurs when two related elements are different. The greater the difference the greater the contrast. Contrast adds variety to the total design and creates unity. It is what draws the viewer's eye into the painting and helps to guide the viewer around the art piece. Pos/neg,thick/thin lines,light/dark

Balance, Emphasis, Rhythm, Unity, Contrast, Movement

Movement• When the elements

are put together to have the illusion of movement and action. It invites the eye to go from one area to the next. Mobiles, video, film, and digital 3-D illustration have actual movement.

Balance, Emphasis, Rhythm, Unity, Contrast, Movement

Elements & Principles of Design

Balance, Emphasis, Rhythm, Unity, Contrast, Movement

Line, Shape, Space, Color, Form, Texture, Value

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