Please enable JavaScript.
Coggle requires JavaScript to display documents.
task 2 (Elements and Principles of Design) - Coggle Diagram
task 2 (Elements and Principles of Design)
Design elements
Definition: the things that make up a painting, drawing, design, etc
Line
Represents a single dimension
The weight and quality of the line may vary
If combined with other elements, it can create a shape, tone, form and texture
Shape
It is the space within lines
Is two-dimensional, showing both width and height
Shapes can be:
Geometric: Triangles, rectangles, circles, polygon
Natural: Animal, plant, human, fluid
Abstract: Stylised versions of natural shapes
Random: Without reference to any natural or geometric shape
Form
Created by joining two or more shapes.
Can enhance 2-dimensional shapes so they look more 3-dimensional with the use of other elements
Tone
Used to describe form through shadows and highlights
Tone can:
Create effects in 2D and 3D shapes
Give solidity, volume and weight to an image
Give the impression of distance. Darker tones come forward and lighter tones go back into the image
Can give emotion to an image. Highly contrasting tones give life and energy, softer tones give a gentle mood
Texture
Is achieved by the combination of elements, such as points and lines
Natural
Surfaces that occur naturally: Tree bark, leaves, rocks, water ripples, sand and skin fur
Man-made
Manufactured surfaces: Fabric, paper, printed text, bricks and glass
Imperfections
Added textures: Scratches, tears, cracks, rust, splotches and stains
Applied in a realistic or abstract style to create an arbitrary pattern
Is both tactile and visual
Colour
Can attract attention, attract feelings and moods and convey messages instantly
3 main components of colour:
Hue
Perceived colour from the colour spectrum
The colours name, e.g. blue, magenta, brown
Value
Brightness (lightness or darkness of a colour)
How close to black or white the colour is
Saturation
Intensity of a colour, e.g. the more grey a colour has in it, the less intense (or saturation) the colour is
Design principles
Balance
Is achieved when things are in equilibrium, through an equal weighting or distribution of elements within a whole
Types of balance
Symmetrical Balance: elements are placed evenly about a central axis to create an effective mirror image
Asymmetrical Balance: need to take car of the '"weight" of elements
Radial Balance: elements radiate out from a centre point in a circular arrangement
Placement: higher placement has more energy than lower placement
Orientation: rotated off axis equalises energy
Value: darker value gives greater weight
Colour: colour energises
Hierarchy
Elements within a composition can be ordered and organised according to their importance
Primary and secondary heirachy
Emphasis (focal point)
Refers to the focal point or centre of interest of a composition. Contrast colours, size, space, lines, or shapes help to create emphasis
Emphasis can be achieved by use of repetition to highlight and draw attention to a repetitive element
In combination with the principle of "hierarchy", emphasis can establish a primary focus and an alternative secondary emphases in another area of the composition
Movement (rhythm)
Movement is the repetition or alternation of elements, often with defined intervals between them
Movement can create a sense of rhythm and can establish pattern and texture.
Types of rhythm
Regular rhythm: occurs when the intervals between the elements, and often the elements themselves, are similar in size or length
Flowing rhythm: gives a sense of rhythm and is often more organic in nature
Progressive rhythm: shows a sequence of forms through a progression of steps
Perspective
Created through the arrangement of objects in two-dimensional space to look like they appear in real life
Perception can be achieved through the use of relative sizes of objects, overlapping objects, and blurring or sharpening objects
Types of perspective
Formal Perspective: linear perspective is a system for drawing objects that use lines and vanishing points to determine how much an object's apparent size changes with space
One-point: simplest form, view something face on
Two-point: viewpoint is at an angle of an object
Three-point: useful for tall objects, viewpoint can be up or down
Proportion (scale)
Proportion and Scale: the relationship in size between objects in a composition. It can be used to help define symmetry and visual weight
Incorrect SCALE can be used to create a sense of tension that focuses the eye
An area can be divided in different PROPORTIONS to create a pleasing composition
Formal and informal proportion
Scale:
How large or small an object is compared to those around it. But no matter how large or small the object is scaled it is always true to it original or natural proportions.
Scale acts as a visual measuring rod; the size of which humans perceive easily and naturally
Formal and informal scale
Scale can be used informally to increase a sense of depth and perspective
Contrast
Is the use of opposite elements in a work to create visual interest, excitement and tension. Sharp contrasts tend to have a strong visual impact
Examples:
Light versus dark colours
Rough versus smooth textures
Large versus small shapes
Two different types of font etc.
Unity
Is achieved when all of the different elements in a design work together to create a unified, harmonious whole
Using harmonious or closely related elements in a design can contribute to unity
Repeating the same elements throughout a design can help create unity
Overlapping design elements can contribute to unity by creating a relationship between separate elements
Features of unity:
Unity is the underlying principle that summarizes all of the principles and elements of design.
It refers to the coherence of the whole, the sense that all of the parts are working together to achieve a common result; a harmony of all the parts.
Unity can be achieved through the effective and consistent use of any of the elements, but pattern is the most fundamental element for a strong sense of unity.
Consistency of form and colour are also powerful tools that can pull a composition together.
Unity can also be a matter of concept. The elements and principles can be selected to support the intended function of the designed object; the purpose of the object unifies the design.
Definition: design principles are ways of arranging or organising design elements