2D Design Terms Flashcards
Elements of art
line, shape, volume, value, texture, and color
Principles of design
unity and variety, balance, emphasis and subordination, directional forces, contrast, repetition and rhythm, scale and proportion
anomaly
An obvious break from norm in a design. Often used to create an accent or to emphasize an idea.
module
A standardized unit or compositional component
system
A group of interrelated elements of parts forming a collective entity. The system is the way you place your modules next to each other. One may start in a corner and work across and down, or one may start in the center and work in a growing spiral outward.
visual weight
1) The inclination of shapes to float or sink based on their solidity and compositional location.
2) The relative importance of a visual element within a design.
emphasis
Special attention given to some aspect of a composition, which gives it prominence.
accent
A line, shape, or color that has been emphasized. Using an accent, a designer can bring attention to a specific part of a composition, shift visual balance, and increase the rhythmic variety within a pattern.
Line Direction
Used to denote certain emotional responses
Horizontal: long, unbroken, restful and calm
Vertical: convey dignity, stability and strength
Diagonal: suggest action, dynamic
Curved: graceful w/ gently flowing movement
Line types (not comprehensive)
Calligraphic- lines that are generally flowing and rhythmical (like calligraphy)
Contour- line that describes an area
Cross-contour- line that crosses and defines the surface between edges of shapes/objects
Implied- lines that dim, fade, stop and/or disappear
Mechanical- objective, impersonal; uniform in character
Texture
Surface character of a material that can be experienced through touch or the illusion of touch.
Actual- real textures
Invented- decorative, not necessarily seen in nature
Simulated- copy or imitation of real textures
Amplified perspective
The exaggerated use of linear perspective to achieve a dramatic and engaging presentation of the subject. Amplified perspective is often created using a unusual viewing position, such as a bird’s eye view, an accelerated convergence, or some form of distortion.
Atmospheric perspective
A visual phenomenon in which the atmospheric density progressively increases, hazing over the perceived world as distance increases. Overall definition lessens, details fade, contrasts become muted and in a landscape, an blue mist descends.
One-point perspective
A form of linear perspective in which the lines receding into space converge at a single vanishing point of the eye line (also called the horizon line). Linear perspective in which one face of the object is parallel to the picture plane and all horizontal receding lines meet at a single vanishing point.
Two-point perspective
A form of linear perspective in which the lines receding into space converge at a two vanishing points of the eye line (or horizon line), on to the left of the object being drawn and one to the right of the object being drawn. Used when the object being drawn is placed at an angle to the picture plane / linear perspective in which objects are situated so that horizontal lines recede to two different vanishing points.
Abstract
1) (verb) to simplify, emphasize or distort qualities of perceptual reality.
2) (noun) the reduction of an image or object to an essential aspect of its form or concept.
Accent
An area of particular interest or importance.
Assemblage
An additive method in which the artist or designer constructs the artwork using objects and images
which were originally created for another purpose. Essentially, assemblage can be defined as three-
dimensional collage.
Asymmetrical balance
An equilibrium among visual elements which differ in size, number, weight, color, or texture. Asymmetrical balance is generally non-axial and very dynamic.
Balance
A visual or physical equilibrium among interacting and/or opposing forces in a composition.
Boundary
The dividing line between objects, images, or experiences.
Characteristic texture
The inherent or familiar texture of a material. The gleaming reflective surface of a steel teapot, the transparent and reflective qualities of glass, and the gritty texture of clay are all characteristic textures.
Compression
The forcing or crushing of material into a smaller, denser condition and its visual dynamics and
implied psychological effects.
Connection
1) a unifying relationship in a composition.
2) a physical joining, through joints, welds, stitching, and so forth.
Content
The ideas embodied in an artwork
Contradictory texture
The unfamiliar use of a texture or the addition of an unusual texture to the surface of an object. Meret Oppenheim’s “Object, “ a cup, plate and spoon covered with fur gains its impact from its textural contradiction.
Contrast
The degree of difference between objects, shapes, colors and so forth.
Craftsmanship
Skill or dexterity in the handling of tools and materials. The general completeness and appearance of an artwork.
Dominant (or dominance)
The most prominent visual element
Emphasis
Special attention given to some aspect of a composition, which gives it prominence.
Form
1) the physical manifestation of a design as opposed to the content, or the idea behind a design.
2) the organization or arrangement of visual elements to create a unified artwork.
3) a three dimensional object: for example, a square is a shape, a cube is a form.
Formal elements
The components of a basic visual language. The formal elements for 3D design are point, line,
plane, volume, mass, space, texture, color and time.
Function
The purpose of a design or the objective which motivates the designer. For an industrial designer, the primary purpose of a design is often utilitarian. For example, he or she may be required to design a more fuel-efficient automobile. For a sculptor, the primary purpose of a design is aesthetic: he or she seeks to create an artwork that engages the viewer emotionally and philosophically. However, a sculpture, like an automobile, must be physically well-constructed, and a car, like a sculpture, must have aesthetic appeal.
Gesture
The underlying sense of movement or the overall expressive qualities of an object.
Gradation
Any gradual transition from one color to another or from form to another.
Harmony
A pleasing or soothing relationship among colors, shapes, or other design elements.
Implied lines
Lines that are suggested by the positions of shapes or objects within a design. With an implied
line, the viewer mentally connects the points.
Intensity
The purity, saturation, or chroma of a color. For example, fire engine red is a high intensity color, while
brick red is a low intensity color.
Junction
1) the place at which objects or events meet.
2) a physical intersection between elements or parts in a three-dimensional object.
Juxtaposition
Adjacent placement of visual elements
Line
Line is one of the basic elements of design.
1) a point in motion,
2) a series of adjacent points,
3) a connection between points,
4) an implied connection between points.
Mass
A solid three-dimensional form. A massive object can be as dense and heavy as a bar of gold or as light and porous as a sponge.
Module
A small unit which can be repeated to create a larger piece.
Modeling
an additive sculptural process by which a plastic material is formed into an artwork or design.
Negative space
any clearly defined area around a positive form.
a space created through the absence of an object rather than through the presence of an object.
Non-objective or non-representational
Designs and artworks that are strictly formal and have no external subject.
Orthographic projection
A drawing system widely used by artists and designers to delineate the top, bottom and four side views of a three-dimensional object. Orthographic means “true picture.” Unlike perspective drawing, which is designed to create the illusion of space, an orthographic projection is constructed using parallel lines which accurately delineate the object.
Plane
In three-dimensional design, an area with measurable width and height. Shapes that have been combined to create three-dimensional structures are called planes.
Ready-made
A functional manufactured object that is displayed as a work of art.
Primary contour
The outer edges of a physical object, such as the extremities of a carved sculpture.
Proportion
A comparative relationship between the parts to a whole. For example, in figure drawing, the model’s
head is often compared to the overall height of the body.
Proximity
The distance between the parts of a structure or between an object and the audience.
Radial symmetry
A form of balance that is created when shapes or volumes are mirrored both vertically and
horizontally, with the center of the composition acting as a focal point.
Repetition
The use of the same visual element or visual effect a number of times in the same composition. Can be used to increase unity in a composition, produce a rhythmic movement, or emphasize the importance of a visual idea.
Rhythm
The repetition of multiple parts in a composition to create a pattern of sound and silence, positive and negative, or other contrasting forces.
Scale
A size relationship between two separate objects, such as the relationship between the size of the Statue
of Liberty and a human visitor to the monument.
Secondary contour
The inner edges of a physical object, such as the internal design and detailing of a carved sculpture.
Section
In orthographic projection, a slice of an object or architectural structure which reveals with internal
structure and detail.
Space
The area within, between, or around an area of substance.
Spatial orientation
Relationship of an object to the ground plane and other objects.
Surface quality
An intrinsic material beauty or surface effect caused by an artist’s handling of materials.
Symbol
A form which represents something beyond its immediate meaning.
Symmetrical balance
A form of balance that is created when shapes are mirrored on either side of an axis, as in
a composition that is vertically divided down the center.
Tactile
referent to the sense of touch
Tangibility
The substantiality of an object or the degree to which an object or a force can be felt.
Tension
The extension of an object through stretching or bending.
Texture
The surface quality of a two dimensional shape or a three dimensional volume. Texture can be created visually, using multiple marks, physically, through surface variation, or through the inherent property of a specific material such as sand as opposed to polished glass.
Torsion
The distortion of an object through a twisting movement
Transition
The process of changing from one state or form to another. For example, the surface of a metal sculpture as it shifts from a smooth to a rough surface or the manner in which a computer drawing morphs from one form to another.
Unity
The oneness or wholeness in a design which occurs when all parts work together to create a cohesive
whole.
Volume
In three-dimensional design, a volume is an enclosed area of three dimensional space. In two-dimensional design, basic volumes such as cubes, cones and spheres are created though the illusion of space. In time design, volume is one quality of music.
analogous colors
hues that lie next to each other on a color wheel; A color scheme based on hues that are adjacent on a color wheel.
color constancy
psychological tendency to see colors we expect to see even when the actual colors are different (e.g. varied light source)
complementary colors
Hues which oppose one another on a color wheel. When juxtaposed, complementary colors create wonderful contrast; when mixed, complementary colors create a range of browns.
diad
a color scheme based on two colors
gamut
full range of colors available within a particular color space
hue
name of a color (synonymous)
key color
dominant color in a color scheme or mixture
neutralized color
color has been grayed or reduced in intensity by being mixed with any of the neutrals or with a complementary color
saturation
term signifying the brightness or dullness of a color (interchangeable with intensity, chroma…)
secondary color
A color produced by a mixture of two primary colors
shade
A hue that has been mixed with black
tertiary color
a hue that is mixed from a primary color and one secondary color
tetrad
a color scheme based on four hues equidistant on the color wheel
tint
A hue that has been mixed with white
tone
A hue that has been mixed with black and white / relative darkness or lightness of a color, without reference to its local color
value
degree of lightness or darkness of a color
