Elements of Design

1. Elements of Design The elements of design are the basic components used as part of any composition. They are the objects to be arranged, and the constituent parts used to create the composition itself, whether that composition is a poster, a painting, a web page, or a room. Point A point is an element that has position, but no extension. It is a single mark in space with a precise, but limited, location. Alone it can provide a powerful relation between negative and positive space, but when grouped with other points the Gestalt grouping principal of closure tends to kick in and the brain compulsively connects the points together. Line or form is a natural result of multiple points in space.

2. Line A line is an element characterized by length and direction. Lines create contours and form, and are often used to convey a specific type of feeling or point to an important feature in a design. Lines are also used to create perspective, and dominant directional lines are often adopted to create a sense of continuance in a composition. In addition, lines that are grouped together often create a sense of value, density or texture.

3. Form (Shape) The simplest definition of shape is a closed contour, an element defined by its perimeter. The three basic shapes are: circle, rectangle (square) and triangle. Form is the shape and structure of an element within a given composition. Form can be both two-dimensional and three-dimensional and can be realistic, abstract or somewhere in between. The terms form and shape are often used synonymously, which is why they are both included here. In reality, form is derived from the combination of point, line and shape.

4. Texture Texture is used to create surface appearance, and relates to the physical make-up of a given form. Texture often refers to the material that something is made of, and can be created using any of the elements previously discussed. Texture is both a visual and a tactile phenomenon.

5. Color is the response of the eye to differing wavelengths of radiation within the visible spectrum. The visible spectrum is what we perceive as light. It is the part of the electromagnetic spectrum that we can see. • There are three main components of color: • Hue: Where the color is positioned on the color wheel. Terms such as red, blue-green, and mauve all define the hue of a given color. • Value: The general lightness or darkness of a color. In general, how close to black or white a given color is. • Saturation: The intensity, or level of chroma, of a color. The more gray a color has in it, the less chroma it has. Color

6. Principles of Design The principlesare concepts used to organize or arrange the structural elements of design. Balance Balance is the concept of visual equilibrium, and relates to our physical sense of balance. It is a reconciliation of opposing forces in a composition that results in visual stability. Most successful compositions achieve balance in one of two ways: symmetrically or asymmetrically. Balance in a three dimensional object is easy to understand; if balance isn't achieved, the object tips over. To understand balance in a two dimensional composition, we must use our imaginations to carry this three dimensional analogy forward to the flat surface. Symmetrical Balance Asymmetrical Balance

7. Symmetrical Balance Balance is one of the most basic principles of design, and lends itself to more formal, orderly designs. The bedroom is a good place for symmetrical balance as it provides a sense of being anchored and creates a tranquil, restful feel.

8. Radial balance radiates from the center, and we see it most often with a table in the center and chairs or other seating grouped around it. Radial Balance

9. Rhythm Rhythm supplies the discipline that controls the eye as is moves around a room. Rhythm helps the eye to move easily from one object to another and creates a harmony that tells the eye everything in the room belongs to a unified whole. Rhythm is created through repetition of line, form, color or texture. It can also be created through progression. Progressive rhythm is a gradual increasing or decreasing in size, direction or color.

10. Focal Point Focal Point is the emphasis of the room. The focal point should be obvious as you enter the room; it is the area to which your eye is attracted. Whatever is featured, as the center of interest –a fireplace, artwork or a window treatment framing a beautiful view – must be sufficiently emphasized so that everything else leads the eye toward the featured area. You can add emphasis to a natural focal point or create one in a room through effective use of line, form, color and texture.

11. Scale Size relationships in a room are defined by proportion and scale. Proportion refers to how the elements within an object relate to the object as a whole. Scale relates to the size of an object when compared with the size of the space in which it is located. A space that is smaller needs furniture that is scaled down to fit in it, as in the example above.

12. A good design is a unified whole that encompasses all the other elements and principles of design. Unity assures a sense of order. There is a consistency of sizes and shapes, a harmony of color and pattern. The ultimate goal is to create a design with unity and harmony and a sense of rhythm. Repeating the elements, balancing them throughout the space, and then adding a little variety so that the space has its own sense of personality accomplishes this. Too much unity can be boring; too much variety can cause a restless feeling. Juggling the elements and principles to get just the right mix is a key to good design.

13. Summary • Elements of Design • Point • Line • Form (Shape) • Texture • Color • Principles of Design • Symmetrical Balance • Radial Balance • Rhythm • Focal Point • Scale • Unity & Harmony

14. Another take on the elements and principles: