ELEMENTS OF GRAPHIC DESIGNThe building blocks of design

Monday am

Aims:

1. To understand some of the formal elements of graphic design and how they are used in visual communication.

2. To understand how formal elements are used to communicate with an audience.

3. To use formal elements to communicate a message to an audience.

4. To be able to embed your understanding into sketchbook work and make links to your research.

• Outcomes: you will experiment with formal elements and plan and create at range of examples of visual communication. You will create designs which explores a choice of theme using only shapes and lines.

Visual Language Overview:

• What is Visual Language?• Visual language is a system of communication using visual elements.

• What kinds of visual elements might be used in Graphic Design?

Line Shape Space Colour Texture

THE FORMAL ELEMENTS OF GRAPHIC DESIGNMaking objects work for you

Building Blocks of Graphic Design

• How has the designer utilised the formal elements of graphic design here?

• Lines

• Shapes

• Space

• Texture

• Colour

Lines

Task 1:

• How might lines be used in a design. In small groups write down as many as you can think of.

• Divide up space on a page

• Denote direction of movement (diagonal lines and arrows)

• Provide an anchor to hold elements on a page (lines at the top, bottom, or sides of a page)

• To create emphasis on a particular object

• Lead the viewer through the design

Different types of lines:

Line – creates direction and movement

Arrow – creates movement, direction and emphasis

Different types of lines:

Direction leads the viewer into the design

Emphasis draws the attention to particular parts of a design

Different types of lines:

Divider breaks up the available space into manageable areas

Perceived line is where no actual line exists but is just created by other objects in its proximity

Task 2: Quick Design – A3 Paper1. Arrange some of the lines so that they

split the page into 6 separate spaces. Arrange the shapes in these spaces. Take a photo of the result.

2. Arrange the lines in a way that leads the viewer through the design in order to look at the whole page. Use shapes as content. Take a photo.

3. Use the lines to emphasise a shape in a design. Take a photo.

4. Use the lines to divide up the page in a pleasing manor, which separates at least two shapes from each other but guides the eye round the page also. Take a photo.

5. Use lines to make movement within a design, drawing the eye across or down the page. Take a photo.

Shapes

Task 3: 5 Minutes Shapes (Forms)

• How might shapes be used in a design. Write down as many as you can think of.

• They organize information through connection and separation

• Create movement, texture, and depth

• Emphasize and create entry points and areas of interest

• Lead the eye from one design element to the next

Geometric Shapes:

• What do the shapes in this design suggest?

• Circles, squares, triangles, diamonds make up regular patterns that are easily recognizable.

• This regularity suggests organization and efficiency.

• It suggests structure.

Natural/Organic Shapes

• What do the shapes in this design suggest?

• They are irregular.

• They have more curves and are uneven.

• They tend to be pleasing and comforting.

• Organic shapes add interest and reinforce themes.

Abstract Shapes:

• What do the shapes in this design suggest?

• They have a recognizable form, but are not real.

• They are stylized or simplified versions of organic shapes.

• Icons are abstract shapes to represent ideas and concepts.

• Some abstract shapes have near universal recognition.

Task 4: Quick Design – A3 Paper

1. Using multiples of only one shape, create a design that leads the eye down the page. Take a photo.

2. Using a number of shapes, create a design which suggests structure or organisation. Take a photo.

3. Using shapes create a design which suggests comfort.

4. Using shapes create a design which supports a geometric shape. Take a photo.

5. Using shapes, create a design which communicates a message directly to an audience. Take a photo.

Task 5: Create a design on a theme using only shapes and lines.• Using the shapes and lines

provided, and thinking about visual language and communication, create designs that communicate at least two of the following ideas:

• Extension task: Digitise your designs in Photoshop

• Look at that

• Top to bottom

• Left to right

• A structured view

• An organic message

• Visual direction

• The division shape

Bridge Task: Wednesday 9.00am

1. Add all your designs and photos of experiments to your sketchbook and discuss how you used lines and shapes.

2. Make sure you research into the Elements of Graphic Design includes examples of each elements and how they can be used

3. Collect at least three images that use lines, three that use shapes, and two that use both, and discuss the following

• How is the designer using the lines and shapes?

• What do the lines and shapes bring to the design, and how?

• What other elements are there in the design, and how are the lines and shapes interacting with them?

• Discuss how you might use your understanding of lines and shapes to support the development of your own ideas and designs.

Did we Achieve Our Aims:

1. To understand some of the formal elements of graphic design and how they are used in visual communication.

2. To understand how formal elements are used to communicate with an audience.

3. To use formal elements to communicate a message to an audience.

4. To be able to embed your understanding into sketchbook work and make links to your research.

• Outcomes: you will experiment with formal elements and plan and create at range of examples of visual communication. You will create designs which explores a choice of theme using only shapes and lines.

Plenary:• I feel the most important thing I learnt today was?

• With the information I learnt today, I will now be able to…

• After today’s lesson I can now explain.

• Today I was able to make progress because…

• The part of the lesson I found easiest was…

• If was to set homework to build on today’s lesson I would…

• I am proud of myself today because….

• I think it is important to remember what I learnt today because…

• One thing I think I did really well was…

• Next time I would like to learn…