Shelby Dahlin

Elements of Design

Line

The linear marks made with a pen or brush or the edge created when two shapes meet.

Shape

A shape is a self contained defined area of geometric or organic form. A positive shape in a painting automatically creates a negative shape.

Texture

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

Color

Color is the most expressive element of art and is seen by the way light reflects off a surface.

Value

How light or darkened the color you are using. Value is also referred to as tone.

Form

Forms are 3-Dimensional. They occupy space or give the illusion that they occupy space.

Space

Artists can create an illusion of depth, using overlapping, diminishing scale, atmospheric perspective, vertical placement, warm and cool colors, diagonals and linear perspective.

Principles of design

Contrast

Opposite colors on the color wheel - red / green, blue / orange etc. Contrast in tone or value - light / dark. Contrast in direction - horizontal / vertical.

Emphasis

Areas of interest. Guides the eye into through and out of the image through the use of sequence of various levels of focal points, primary focal point, secondary, tertiary, etc.

Balance

Can be either symmetrical or asymmetrical depending on if the right or left side is identical or not.

Repetition

The recurrence of elements within a piece: colors, lines, shapes, values, etc.

Pattern

Any element that occurs is generally echoed, often with some variation to keep interest.

Rhythm

Rhythm in interior design also may be used to reduce randomness.

Movement

is 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.