The Elements and Principles of Design: The Elements and Principles of Design
What Are They?: What Are They? Elements of design are the parts. They structure and carry the work. Principles of design are concepts. They affect content and message.
Line: Line Line is a moving dot.
Form and Space: Form and Space Form is an area surrounded by space. Space can be positive or negative.
Movement: Movement Movement is the relocation of an object in space over time.
Color: Color Color is the hue, shade, or tone of an object.
Texture: Texture Texture is the visual surface quality of an object.
Direction: Direction Direction is the course along which a line moves.
Proportion: Proportion Proportion is the relative size and scale of elements in a design.
Balance: Balance Balance relates to our physical sense of balance.
Gradation: Gradation Gradation is the change from one color to another.
Repetition: Repetition Repetition is one, or similar elements that are repeated.
Contrast: Contrast Contrast is when elements are different.
Harmony: Harmony Harmony is when elements are related.
Dominance: Dominance Dominance is when one object is emphasized more than another.
Rhythm: Rhythm Rhythm is a measured movement through space.
Unity and Variety: Unity and Variety Unity is a set of elements from the same family. Variety is elements that are similar, but not the same.
Your Turn!: Your Turn! What elements and principles do you see being used in this image?
Sources: Sources Jirousek, C. (1995). Elements of Design. In Art, Design, and Visual Thinking. Retrieved September 28, 2009, from http://www.char.txa.cornell.edu. Lovett, J. (1999). Elements and Principles of Design. In John Lovett Watercolor and Mixedmedia Artist. Retrieved September 28, 2009, from http://www.johnlovett.com/test.htm Line: Mike Chaput-Branson, “ Line Up The Color ” January 19, 2008 via Flickr, Creative Commons Attribution, Noncommercial, Share Alike License. Form and Space: Ntr23, “ Ice Form ” August 19, 2006 via Flickr, Creative Commons Attribution, Noncommercial, Share Alike License. Image Sources
Image Sources: Image Sources Movement: Ed Schipul, “ Orange Line @ eTech 2007 ” March 28, 2007 via Flickr, Creative Commons Attribution, Share Alike License. Color: Nasplayer, “ Rainbow Colored Milk Drop Splash (Explore 108) ” June 11, 2009 via Flickr, Creative Commons Attribution, No Derivative Works License. Texture: Lucy Nieto, “ Tapete de Plástico – 2007 ” November 24, 2007 via Flickr, Creative Commons Attribution, Noncommercial, Share Alike License. Direction: Jeff Bauche, “ Abstract Life Line ” January 21, 2008 via Flickr, Creative Commons Attribution, Noncommercial, No Derivative Works License. Proportion: Alper Çuğun, “ Disproportion ” July 4, 2007 via Flickr, Creative Commons Attribution, Noncommercial License.
Image Sources: Image Sources Balance: Terence T.S. Tam, “ Space Needle and Pacific Science Center ” October 6, 2008 via Flickr, Creative Commons Attribution, Noncommercial, Share Alike License. Gradation: Natrium Chlorine, “ IMGP4383a2 ” October 18, 2008 via Flickr, Creative Commons Attribution, Noncommercial, Share Alike License. Repetition: Kevin Dooley, “ Angles, Lines, Light, and Shadows ” November 7, 2007 via Flickr, Creative Commons Attribution License. Contrast: Cataline Olavarria, “ Al Fondo a la Derecha ” September 2, 2006 via Flickr, Creative Commons Attribution, Noncommercial, Share Alike License.
Image Sources: Image Sources Harmony: Kris De Curtis, “ Christmas in Love… ” December 12, 2007 via Flickr, Creative Commons Attribution, Noncommercial, No Derivative Works License. Dominance: Toshihiro Oimatsu, “ Emphasis ” June 23, 2009 via Flickr, Creative Commons Attribution License. Rhythm: ZeroOne, “ Spiral Staircase ” July 2, 2007 via Flickr, Creative Commons Attribution, Share Alike License. Variety: Ross Orr, “ Series VI ” September 26, 2007 via Flickr, Creative Commons Attribution, Noncommercial, No Derivative Works License. Your Turn!: Romnick Simplicio, “ Africa Fighting Below the Line - Print Ad (Education) ” June 24, 2008 via Flickr, Creative Commons Attribution, Noncommercial, No Derivative Works License.