Elements and Principles of

Design

ELEMENTS OF ART

An extended point, a mark with length and direction(s). Types include: vertical, horizontal, diagonal, straight or ruled, curved, bent, angular, thin, thick or wide, interrupted (dotted, dashed, broken, etc.)

LINE

ELEMENTS OF ART

A connected line; 2-D line with no form or thickness. Shapes are flat and can be grouped into two categories, geometric and organic.

SHAPE

ELEMENTS OF ART

A 3-dimensional object having volume and thickness.

FORM

ELEMENTS OF ART

Value is the lightness or darkness of a color. Value is also called Tone.

VALUE

ELEMENTS OF ART

Texture is the surface quality of a shape - rough, smooth, soft hard glossy etc. Texture can be physical (tactile) or visual.

TEXTURE

SPACEthe area between and around objects. The object fills positive space while negative space surrounds the object. Space is created in a two-dimensional artwork by using perspective, overlapping, and color and value creating the appearance of depth or distance

ELEMENTS OF ART

Light reflected off objects. Color has three main

characteristics: hue or its name (red, green, blue, etc.),

value (how light or dark it is), and intensity (how bright

or dull it is).

COLOR

Primary Colors• RED, YELLOW, BLUE

Secondary Colors• Green, Violet, Orange

Intermediate Colors• Red-orange, Red-

violet, Blue-green, Blue-violet, Yellow-green, Yellow-orange

PRINCIPLES OF DESIGNEMPHASIS/FOCAL POINT

An area that first attracts attention in a composition

a feeling of visual equality in shape, form, value, color, etc.BALANCE

1. symmetrical or evenly balanced

2. asymmetrical and un-evenly balanced

PRINCIPLES OF DESIGNHARMONY/RHYTHM

Brings together a composition with similar units.  Some elements recurs regularly.  Like

a dance it will have a flow of objects that will seem to be like the beat of music.

MOVEMENT

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. 

PRINCIPLES OF DESIGNPROPORTION

CONTRAST

refers to variations in the size of objects, lines or shapes. There is a variation of sizes in objects either real or imagined.

Occurs when two related elements are different. The greater the difference the

greater the contrast. Contrast adds variety to the total design and creates

unity. It is what draws the viewer's eye into the painting and helps to guide the

viewer around the art piece..

PRINCIPLES OF DESIGNREPETITION

PATTERN

Element occurring more than once; Repetition with variation is interesting, without variation repetition can become monotonous

The repetition of anything -- shapes, lines, or colors -- also called a motif,

in a design

VARIETYRepetition of visual elements such as shapes or colors create a rhythm and pattern in an artwork