Elements and Principles of Design
Elements:
Line
Shape
Form
Color
Value
Texture
Space
Principles:
Balance
Emphasis & Focal Point
Contrast
Movement
Variety
Pattern & Repetition
Unity
Harmony/Gestalt
LineA line is defined as a mark with length and direction, created by a
point that moves across a surface. A line can vary in length, width, direction, curvature, and color.
Contour, Diagonal, Broken, Curved, Outline, Implied, Vertical, zigzag, Horizontal, Wavy, Slanted, Continuous, Solid, Narrow, Bold
Jasper Johns, 0-9 (continuous line) Gesture drawing
Shape Shape is an enclosed space defined by other
elements of art. Shape is 2-Dimensional
Shape can be:Geometric: Angular, man-made conceptOrganic: curvilinear - found in nature
Fernana Leger, The City Matisse, from the series “Jazz”
Value
An element of art that refers to luminance or luminosity – the lightness or darkness of a color.
Value is an especially important element in works of art when color is absent. This is particularly likely with
drawings, printmaking, and photographs
Kathe Kollwitz,Self portrait
TextureTexture refers to the surface quality or "feel" of an object,
such as roughness, smoothness, or softness. Actual texture can be felt while simulated textures are implied by the way the
artist renders the surface area
OppenheimFur-lined cup
Color Is an element of art with three properties1) Hue, the name of the color, e.g. red, yellow, etc. 2) Intensity or the purity and strength of the color 3) Value, or the lightness or darkness of the color
Delauney
Jasper Johns, Target
(primary colors)
Warm Colors
• Colors that are often described as being higher in temperature
• Reds, oranges, yellows
• Associated with fire and sun
• Optically, appear to advance
• Stimulating and passionate
Cool
• Colors that are often described as being lower in temperature
• Greens, Blues, and Violet
• Associated with water, sky, and spring
• Optically, they appear to recede
• Calming and depressing
SpaceSpace is the empty or open area between, around, above,
below, or within objects. Shapes and forms are made by the space around and within them. Space is often called three-
dimensional or two- dimensional.
MC Escher
Space/DepthMay be created by overlapping, change in scale,
perspective placement, color theory, or projection toward the viewer.
David HockneyPlace Furstenberg, Paris, August 7,8,9, 1985 -#11985
BalanceBalance is a sense of stability in the body of work.
Balance can be symmetrical (formal) or assymmetrical (informal)
Wayne Thiebaud, Around the Cake (formal balance)
MovementMovement adds excitement to your work by showing action and
directing the viewers eye throughout the picture plane.
Edward Munch, the Scream
Movement
Marcel Duchamp, Nude Descending StaircaseUmberto Boccioni,
Unique forms of continuity in space
Dominance & SubordinationThe part of a composition that is emphasized, has the greatest visual weight, the most important, powerful, or has the most influence.
Emphasis & Focal PointEmphasis - Any forcefulness that gives importance to some feature or
features of an artwork; something singled out, stressed, or drawn attention to by means of contrast, anomaly, or counterpoint
Focal Point = portion of an artwork's composition on which interest or attention centers
David Hockney
Emphasis & Focal Point
Barbara Kruger Rene Magritte
Pattern & RepetitionInvolves multiples of the same element. Repeated elements can vary in size, color, or axis placement. Repeated elements can create a pattern. The use of repetition may be applied to all Visual Elements. Motion can
be created by repetition.
William MorrisArts and Crafts Movement
ContrastA large difference between two things,
such as light and shadow, color and black/white
Andy Warhol
Unity & HarmonyThe quality of wholeness or oneness (Gestalt) that is achieved through
the effective use of the elements and principles of design.
Claude MonetHaystacks