The Elements and Principles of Design

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The Elements and Principles of Design
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The Elements, defined
Line - is a mark on a surface that describes a
shape or outline. It can create texture and can
be thick and thin.  Types of line can include
actual, implied, vertical, horizontal, diagonal
and contour. Color - refers to specific hues and
has 3 properties, Chroma, Intensity and Value. 
The color wheel is a way of showing the chromatic
scale in a circle using all the colors made with
the primary triad.  Complimentary pairs can
produce dull and neutral color.  Black and white
can be added to produce tints (add white), shades
(add black) and tones (add gray). Texture - is
about surface quality either tactile (they way it
feels) or visual (the way it looks). Texture can
be real or implied by different uses of media. It
is the degree of roughness or smoothness in
objects. Shape are 2-dimensional areas defined
by a line. Shapes are flat and can be grouped
into two categories, geometric and organic (free
form). Value refers to the degree of light
and dark. It is the contrast between black and
white and all the tones in between. Value can be
applied to color as well as black and white.
Contrast refers to the difference between to or
more values. Form A form is a three
dimensional object, or an image that has the
illusion of being three-dimensional.
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Line (element) is a mark on a surface that
describes a shape or outline. It can create
texture and can be thick and thin.  Types of line
can include actual, implied, vertical,
horizontal, diagonal and contour.
Contour Line
Outline
Implied Line
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Line

• Types
• Vertical- Represents dignity, formality,
  stability and strength.
• Horizontal- Represents calm, peace and
  relaxation.
• Diagonal- Represents action, activity, excitement
  and movement.
• Curved- Represents freedom, the natural, having
  the appearance of softness and creates a soothing
  feeling or mood.

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Vincent Van Gogh Starry Night
How some artists use line
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More examples of line in art
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Shape (element)
are 2-dimensional areas defined by a line.
Shapes are flat and can be grouped into two
categories, geometric and organic (free form).
Geometric shapes can be defined by a mathematical
formula. ( L x W Area )
Organic or freeform shapes have no particular
formula to how they are created.
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How some artists use Shape
M.C. Escher
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M.C. Escher
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Joan Miro Personage Etoile
Takashi Murakami
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Form (element) A form is a three dimensional
object, or an image that has the illusion of
being three-dimensional.
Benini Pluto and Persephone
These are pictures actual sculptures, or
three-dimensional forms
Erwin Wurm
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A painting of a person that looks 3-Dimensional
(uses Form)
Leonardo Da Vinci Mona Lisa
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Versus a painting of a person that looks flat
(uses shape)
Stewie
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Value (element) refers to the degree of light
and dark. It is the contrast between black and
white and all the tones in between. Value can be
applied to color as well as black and white.
Contrast refers to the difference between to or
more values.
Examples of different value scales
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An example of how value gives form to flat shapes
To make a flat shape look three dimensional, we
add value. Specifically, we add shadows,
highlights, and midtones.
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In this M.C. Escher drawing, value is used in a
number of ways. The artist uses value to give a
sense of 3-Dimensionality to the cities at the
bottom of the drawing. How does he use value
symbolically?
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Texture - is about surface quality either tactile
(they way it feels) or visual (the way it looks).
Texture can be real or implied by different uses
of media. It is the degree of roughness or
smoothness in objects.
How does artist Meret Oppenheim use texture in
this work of art? What do you think she was
trying to make the viewer feel by covering a
teacup in fur?
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Contrast is the difference between two values
An example of low contrast
An example of high contrast
An example of low contrast between two colors
An example of high contrast between two colors
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How does artist Barbara Krueger use contrast in
this artwork? Why do you think she uses such
strong contrast?
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Rhythm - is a movement in which some elements
recurs regularly.
Where does artist Takashi Murakami use repetition
in this artwork?
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The Principles, defined
Balance - is a feeling of visual equality in
shape, form, value, color, etc.  Balance can be
symmetrical or evenly balanced or asymmetrical
and un-evenly balanced.  Objects, values, colors,
textures, shapes, forms, etc., can be used in
creating a balance in a composition. Rhythm - is
a movement in which some elements recurs
regularly.  Like a dance it will have a flow of
objects that will seem to be like the beat of
music. Contrast - offers some change in value
creating a visual discord in a composition.
Contrast shows the difference between shapes and
can be used as a background to bring objects out
and forward in a design. It can also be used to
create an area of emphasis. Movement - is a
visual flow through the composition. It can be
the suggestion of motion in a design as you move
from object to object by way of placement and
position.  Directional movement can be created
with a value pattern. It is with the placement of
dark and light areas that you can move your
attention through the format. Unity - means
keeping your design in a sort of harmony in which
all sections of the pattern make other sections
feel complete. Unity helps the design to be seen
as one design instead of randomness all around
your design. Harmony - brings together a
composition with similar units.  If your
composition was using wavy lines and organic
shapes you would stay with those types of lines
and not put in just one geometric shape. (Notice
how similar Harmony is to Unity - some sources
list both terms) Emphasis Artists use emphasis
to make parts of a composition stand out and grab
your attention. The center of interest or focal
point is the area that first attracts attention
in a composition. This area is more important
when compared to the other objects or elements in
a composition.  This can be by contrast of
values, more colors, and placement in the format.
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Balance - is a feeling of visual equality in
shape, form, value, color, etc.  Balance can be
symmetrical or evenly balanced or asymmetrical
and un-evenly balanced.  Objects, values,
colors, textures, shapes, forms, etc., can be
used in creating a balance in a composition.
What kind of balance does Rene Magritte use in
this artwork? What effect does it have on the
artwork?
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What king of balance is used here?
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Emphasis Artists use emphasis to make parts of
a composition stand out and grab your attention.
This area is more important when compared to the
other objects or elements in a composition.  This
can be by contrast of values, more colors, and
placement in the format.
This is another painting by Rene Magritte. Where
is the emphasis (focal point) of this
painting? Is the focal point an important part of
this painting? Why would Magritte make this area
the focal point?