Elements of Design Flashcards
“Elements Of Art.” Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, n.d. Web. 25 May 2015. http://www.edb.utexas.edu/minliu/multimedia/PDFfolder/DESIGN~1.PDF http://www.oberlin.edu/amam/asia/sculpture/documents/vocabulary.pdf
Line
A mark between two points.
As an art element, line refers to the use of various marks, outlines and implied lines in artwork and design. A line has a width, direction, and length, but not depth.
Shape
An element of art that is two-dimensional, flat, or limited to height and width.
Shapes can be either geometric (e.g., square, circle, triangle, etc.), or organic (such as the shape of a puddle, blob, leaf, etc.).
Form (3D)
An element of art that is three-dimensional and contains volume; includes height, width AND depth (e.g. a cube, a sphere, a pyramid, or a cylinder). Form may also be free
flowing.
Three-dimensional form is the basis of sculpture. However, two-dimensional artwork can achieve the illusion of form with the use of perspective and/or shading or modeling techniques.
Colour
The element that is produced when light, striking an object, is reflected back to the eye. Colour is used to generate emotions, define importance, or create visual interest.
This element of art is made up of three properties: hue, value, and intensity. Hue refers to the name of the colour (red, yellow, etc.). Intensity refers to the vividness of the colour (bright, rich, dull, etc.). Value refers to how light or dark the colour is (shade).
Texture
An element of art that refers to the way things feel when touched, or the visual “feel” of a two-dimensional work.
Concrete has a rough texture; drywall has a smooth and subtle texture. Using texture in design is a great way to add depth and visual interest.
Depth
The apparent existence of three dimensions in a picture or other two-dimensional representations. Depth grants perspective.
Value/Tone/Lightness
The general effect of color or of light and shade in a picture.
A colour gradient is an excellent way to visualize value/tone/lightness– everything from dark to white, all the shades in-between, has a value. Value/Tone/Lightness can be used to create depth and light; to create a pattern; to lead the eye; or to emphasize.
Direction
A course along which something moves.
Lines have direction from Point A to Point B.
Mass
The visual weight of the design.
Space
An area that an artist provides for a particular purpose. Space includes the background, foreground and middle ground, and refers to the distances or area(s) around, between, and within things.
There are two kinds of space: negative space and positive space. Space can be used to separate or group information and can be used effectively to: give the eye a rest; define importance; lead the eye through a design and more.
Negative Space
The area in between, around, through or within an object.
It is the white space that you see on a page.
Positive Space
The areas that are occupied by an object and/or form.
