Design elements and principles are the basic visual toolbox of design tactics in every visual design discipline. The elements form the basic vocabulary of visual design, while the principles constitute the broader structural aspects of the composition.
These concepts and elements drive all intentional design strategies.
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Elements of Design
- Line
Line is the mark made by a moving point, such as a pencil or brush. The edges of shapes and forms also create line.
- Color
Color is the most expressive element of art and is seen by the way light reflects off a surface. Colour is used to create illusion of depth, as red colours seem to come forward and blue seems to recede into the distance. Colour, and particularly contrasting colour, is also used to draw the attention to a particular part of the image.
- Shape
Shape is an area enclosed by line. It is 2 dimensional and can be geometric or organic. Shape is most important in that any shape creates automatically a negative space around it.
- Form
Forms are 3-Dimensional. They occupy space or give the illusion that they occupy space.
- Value
Value, or tone, is the lightness or darkness of a surface. Using value is one of the most potent ways to create contrast and to direct the eye. Tonal or value contrast is the difference between the light areas and the dark areas in a composition. The more contrast in tone, and the closer together the contrasting elements, the more attention is drawn to the boundary between the two.
It is often referred to when shading but value is also important in the study of color.
- Size
Size is the relative proportion of objects to each other or to the canvas. Size is used primarily in relation to Balance, Gradation, and Dominance. Large objects are generally balanced by small objects elsewhere. Large size can be used to make things appear near or of greater importance, and small size to make things appear far away or less important.
- Illusion of Motion
Created through the use of repeated figures, blurred outlines, or multiple images.
- Illusion of Space
Created through the use of monocular clues ie, overlapping, vertical location relative to horizon, value, amount of detail, size, use of vanishing points. Also by using amplified, multiple, isometric perspective, or transparancy, or open vs. closed forms.
Principles of Design
Design is the organized arrangement of one or more elements and principles (eg. line colour or texture) for a purpose.
Awareness of the elements and principles in design is the first step in creating successful visual compositions. These principles, which may overlap, are used in all visual design fields, including graphic design, industrial design, architecture and fine art.
The principles of design are as various as attitudes regarding modern design. They differ both between the schools of thought that influence design, and between individual practicing designers.
The principles govern the relationships of the elements used and organize the composition as a whole. Successful design incorporates the use of the principles and elements to serve the designer's purpose and visual goals. There are no rules for their use. The designer's purpose and intent drives the decisions made to achieve appropriate scale and proportion, as well as the degree of harmony between the elements.
The principles of design consist of:
- Unity
Unity refers to a sense that everything in the artwork belongs there, and makes a whole piece. It is achieved by the use of balance and repetition.
- Balance
Can be either symmetrical or asymmetrical depending on if the right or left side is identical or not. Also refers to a sense that dominant focal points are balanced and don't give a feeling of being pulled too much to any part of the artwork.
- Harmony
Harmony is achieved through the sensitive balance of variety and unity. Color harmony may be achieved using complementary or analogous colors. Harmony in design is similarity or objects looking like these belong together. Harmony is when the components (objects) such as a furniture in a room share a common trait or two. A common trait could be: color(s), shape(s), texture, pattern, material, theme, style, or functionality. Harmony and unity generally make designs more visually appealing and interesting.
- Contrast
Contrast is the occurrence of contrasting elements, such as colour, value, size, etc. It creates interest and pulls the attention toward the focal point.
- Repetition (Rhythm, Pattern)
The recurrence of elements within a piece: colours, lines, shapes, values, etc. Any element that occurs is generally echoed, often with some variation to keep interest.
- Variety (Alternation)
The use of dissimilar elements, which creates interest.
- Emphasis (Dominance, Focal Point)
Areas of interest. Guides the eye into through and out of the image through the use of sequence of various levels of focal points, primary focal point, secondary, tertiary, ect.
- Proportion (Scale)
Proportion involves the relationship of size between objects.
- Functionality
A design must have good functionality. For example a bedroom must function well as a place to sleep and store clothing as well as looking nice.
See also
References
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Learning resources |
- Kilmer, R., & Kilmer, W. O. (1992). Designing Interiors. Orland, FL: Holt, Rinehart and Winston, Inc.
- Nielson, K. J., & Taylor, D. A. (2002). Interiors: An Introduction. New York: McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
- Pile, J.F. (1995). Interior Design. New York: Harry N. Abrams, Inc.
External links
- http://char.txa.cornell.edu/language/principl/principl.htm
- http://char.txa.cornell.edu/language/element/element.htm
- http://www.johnlovett.com/test.htm
- http://gort.ucsd.edu/preseduc/design.htm
- Exploring The Elements of Design
Wikipedia content modification information:
- This page was last modified on 10 November 2008, at 23:55.
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