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Design Elements Guide

The elements of design are tools used to format the elements of design. The Elements of  Design are: Texture, Line, Colour, Shapes, Mass, Space, Value, and Type.

Texture in Elements of Design

The surface quality of an object is called texture. The variation of light  / dark patterns of various textures are indications for visual enjoying. Artist make us of contrasts in surfaces to add visual enhancements.

Two categories of artistic texture include tactile and visual. Sculpture and architecture materials are tactile in nature because they can be felt.  Adding thick pigment to is added to great a 3D paint surface th4e artist is using a technique called impasto.

Visual texture is the impression of texture created by the artist by attempting to reproduce the colour and value of real world textures.

Line in Elements of Design

Line is a form which has the characteristic of length and width created by a series of points. Art defines a line as a moving dot; having a dynamic inherent quality created through movement. 

The characteristics and variables of line are: size, shape, position, direction, number, interval and density. Points create lines, lines form shapes or planes and volume.

Lines can be implied or psychic, they have direction.  Horizontal lines imply quiet and repose. A vertical line has the potential for action. A diagonal line implies movement.

When line is the prime element of an image it is called a drawing; the form being contour or gesture.

Line has value i.e. can result in areas of dark and light; creating a 3d characteristic as opposed a contour line.

Colour in Elements of Design

Colour or Hue (name of the colour) scientifically represents a specific color or light wavelength found in the natures color spectrum. colour theory states that colour is a property of light. The artist knows that as light changes, colour will also changes. 

Colour is viewed either by reflection - additive system or by emission the subtractive system.

Colour is divided into three categories:
-Primary Colours
-Secondary colours
-Tertiary Colours

Colour has value - lightness or darkness of the hue. Adding white lightness produces tint; while adding darkens creates shade.

Shapes in Elements of Design

Shape is a an perceived form that is illuminated by enclosed line, a color and value changes which is defined by a outer edge. A composition can be described as an arrangement of shapes.

Squares - rectangles, triangles, and circles are the three basic forms (shapes).

Mass in Elements of Design 

Mass or Volume applies to 3D. Each element within the composition (graphics, photos, lines, text, color) has their own mass as related to the whole composition.

Volume is a three-dimensional form comprising length, width, and depth. Three-dimensional forms contain points (vertices), lines (edges), and planes (surfaces). A mass is the two-dimensional appearance of a three-dimensional form.

Mass can be used to:
-assist in providing information
-assist in providing mood or emphasis
-create contrast

Space Elements of Design

Any 2 or 3D - dimensional element defined by other elements of a composition is defined and determined by shapes and forms. Space that is positive is where shapes and forms occur; negative space is the empty space around shapes and forms.

Value in Elements of Design 

Also known as light and dark. A measure of lightness or darkness in a composition. A value patterns to the arrangement and the amount of variation in light and dark. Focal points or centers of attention can be created using dark and light contrasts.     .

Shading is used by artists is the use of value.

Type in Elements of Design 

Typography is frequently used as a Design element in visual communication.

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