Elements & Principles of Design

The Elements of Design

Are the basic elements of visual arts. They are the building blocks which are used to create art.

Line

•An element of design that may be two dimensional (pencil on paper), three dimensional (wire or rope), or implied (the edge of a shape or form).

Shape

•An element of design that is two dimensional and encloses an area.

•Shape can be divided into two basic classes: geometric (square, triangle, circle) and organic (irregular in outline).

Colour

Colour is the element of art that is produced when light, striking an object, is reflected back to the eye.

• There are three (3) properties to colour. First is hue, which simply means the name we give to a colour (red, yellow, blue, etc.).

• The second property is intensity, which refers to the strength and vividness of the colour. For example, we may describe the colour blue as "royal" (bright, rich, vibrant) or "dull" (grayed).

• The third and final property of colour is its value, meaning its lightness or darkness. The terms shade and tint are in reference to value changes in colours.

Value

•An element of design that relates to the lightness and darkness of a colour or tone.

Form

•An element of design that is three dimensional and encloses volume (cube, sphere, pyramid, cylinder, and free flowing). 

•Similar to shape which encloses two dimensional area.

Texture

•An element of design that refers to the quality of a surface, both tactile and visual.

•Visual texture

•Physical texture

Space

•An element of design used to describe distance, depth and perspective. 

•Refers also to interior and exterior architectural design.

•This element is about the illusion of depth created on an otherwise 2D surface (canvas or paper). How far in the distance can you see into your art?

•It is not about the distance between objects!

Principles of Design

If the elements of design were building blocks, the principles of design could be considered as the way you played with the blocks.

Balance

•A principle of design that refers to the visual equalization of an element in a work of art.

•There are three kinds of balance: symmetrical (formal); asymmetrical (informal); and radial.

Contrast

•A principle of design that refers to differences or opposites in values, colours, textures and other elements to achieve emphasis and interest.

Emphasis

•A principle of design by which the artist or designer may use opposing sizes, shapes, contrasting colours or other means to place greater attention on certain areas, objects or feelings in a work of art.

Movement

•A principle of design referring to the arrangement of parts in a work of art to create a slow-to-fast movement of one’s eye through the work.

Repetition

•Also known as rhythm, pattern

•A principle of design that repeats an element to create a rhythm or pattern in a work of art.

Gradation

•A principle of design that refers to the gradual change of an element of design.

•Ex. Gradation of colour would be a  gradual change from green to yellow. 

Proportion

•A comparative size relationship between several objects or between parts of a single object or person.

•In figure drawing and painting, the correct relationship between the size of head and body.