task 2 (Elements and Principles of Design)

Design elements

Definition: the things that make up a painting, drawing, design, etc

Line

Shape

Form

Tone

Texture

Colour

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

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

Created by joining two or more shapes.

Can enhance 2-dimensional shapes so they look more 3-dimensional with the use of other elements

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

Is achieved by the combination of elements, such as points and lines

Natural

Man-made

Imperfections

Surfaces that occur naturally: Tree bark, leaves, rocks, water ripples, sand and skin fur

Added textures: Scratches, tears, cracks, rust, splotches and stains

Manufactured surfaces: Fabric, paper, printed text, bricks and glass

Applied in a realistic or abstract style to create an arbitrary pattern

Is both tactile and visual

Can attract attention, attract feelings and moods and convey messages instantly

3 main components of colour:

Hue

Value

Saturation

Perceived colour from the colour spectrum


The colours name, e.g. blue, magenta, brown

Brightness (lightness or darkness of a colour)

How close to black or white the colour is

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

Hierarchy

Emphasis (focal point)

Movement (rhythm)

Perspective

Proportion (scale)

Contrast

Unity

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

Elements within a composition can be ordered and organised according to their importance

Primary and secondary heirachy

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 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

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

Definition: design principles are ways of arranging or organising design elements

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

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.

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.