Elements of ArtHow to use them to create good design

Good Design?• Anybody can draw a picture or take a photo or

make a video or act, right?• Anybody can put images and text together to

make a graphic design, too.• It is the way those images and text are put

together that distinguishes a good design from an ordinary one.

Composition• The design or arrangement of the parts in any

space, two or three dimensions.

Elements of ArtLine

Shape FormSpace

TextureColorValue

Line• A path on a 2D

(two-dimensional) plane.

Line• An extension of a point, elongated

mark, connection between two points, the effect of the edge of an object

Shape• When a line’s ends meet or overlap to

enclose a space, a shape is created.

Shape• A line completely surrounding space creates something that a

line dividing space does not which in turn creates potential effects that nothing else can.

Geometric vs. OrganicShapes

Form• Shapes that have, or seem to have, depth or volume as well

as length and width.

• Shading, shadow, texture or a gradation of tones help to create 3D form in a 2D work of art or design.

Form• Form is a three-dimensional area enclosed by a surface.

Space• The empty or open areas around or within

a work of art.

• Essential in any design, space can be large, compact, empty, full, flat, or airy depending on how it has been filled or divided.

Space

• Space relationships can create illusions of depth or of foreground and background.

• Empty space is also called open, unbroken, plain, or blank while filled space is closed.

• The two dimensional or three dimensional area into which all other elements of design are placed.

Positive vs. Negative

SpacePositive Space:The objects, elements, or images in the composition

Negative Space:The space around objects in a composition

TextureThe way a surface feel or appears to feel.

Texture• Texture appeals to the sense of

touch, sight and hearing and thus the function of texture in an overall design is key.

• Texture interaction with light according to degree of smoothness

a) Refraction, absorption, reflectionb) Transparent = refractionc) Translucent = refraction and

reflectiond) Opaque = absorption

Actual vs. Implied Texture

Color We receive the visual stimulation of color as a mental perception which causes emotional, psychological, and physiological reactions.

Value• The degree of lightness

or darkness of a color.

Value

Intensity• The brightness or

dullness, or level of saturation, of a color.