EYE I DESIGN
“
Concepts may vary between artists or mediums but these are tested to achieve a sound design. The use of well-established design principles increases the chance that a design will be successful.
”
—William Strunk Jr.
Table
of Contents
1. Introduction to Design Elements 2. Line 3. Color 4. Form 5. Texture 6. Shape 7. Space
Form and Function Design elements and principles describe fundamental ideas about the practice of good visual design that are assumed to be the basis of all intentional visual design strategies.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. Design is the organized arrangment of one or more elements and principles for a purpose. The principles of design are as varied as attitudes regarding modern design. They differ both between the schools of thought that influence design, and between individual practicing designers.
Lines is a mark with greater length than width. Lines can be horizantal, vertical or diagonal, straight or curved, thick or thin. Perhaps when thinking of lines the first image you see is grid. Which is typically an intersection of horizantal and vertical lines. That is a correct assumption. But lines can be much more than a grid. Lines can be curvy, zigzag, implied or dotted. Line is the boundary that defines a shape.
Line
Color is light reflected objects. Color has three main characteristics: hue or it’s name, value, and intensity. Color has several properties; hue, value, and intensity. Hue is the actual color. An example of this would be the actual hue for pink is red. Value is the variation of the lightness and darkness of color. Finally the intensity refers to how saturated the hue is. Color can be used to bring about certain emotion in a design. And it can also make on object stand out from surrounding objects. Color has an array of uses in design.
o C
r lo
Form
Forms are three-dimensional shapes,
by light and dark. There are two types of
expressing length, width, and depth. Balls,
form, geometric (man-made) and natural
cylinders, boxes and triangles are forms.
(organic form). Form may be created by the
Form can be measured, from top to bot-
combining of two or more shapes. It may
tom (height), side to side (width), and from
be enhanced by tone, texture and color. It
back to front (depth). Form is also defined
can be illustrated or constructed.
Texture Texture is the surface quality that can be seen and felt. Textures can be rough or smooth, soft or hard. Textures do not always feel the way they look; for example, a drawing of a porcupine may look prickly, but if you touch the drawing, the paper is still smooth. Texture can be used to give life like details to an image. It can be used to make an empty space more interesting to look at. Texture can be used to simulate a specific surface. Texture can also be over used and take away from the intended look of the design.
Shape Shape is a closed line. Shapes can be geometric, like squares and circles; or organic, like free formed shapes or natural shapes. Shapes are flat and can express length and width. Shape is used to build elements on a page or create patterns. Shapes can be either positive or negative. A shape is an area that is enclosed by a line. Shapes can either enhance an object or move the viewer’s eye through and around the design.
Space Space is the area between and around objects. The space around objects is often called negative space; negative space has shape. Space can also refer to the feeling of depth. Real space is threedimensional; in visual art when we can create the feeling or illusion of depth we call it space. Space is the foremost element used in design. Space can be positive or negative. It can be thought of in size and scale such as what is the design going to be displayed on. Space can also be thought of as a 3-D image.
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