Graphic Arts
Design Elements and Principles
DIRECTIONS: To use this online lesson, read each section completely and
take some notes to help you remember the concepts that are being presented. Title this assignment (#7)
“Design Elements & Principles Notes” and add this to your assignment log, in your class binder, for an upcoming notebook check.
In both the Elements and the Principles sections you will find highlighted text. When clicking on these words you will go to a graphic that illustrates the Element or Principle chosen. Please be patient as some of these graphics may take a bit longer to load than others.
When you have finished each section, proceed to the
questions at the end of the lesson. Please write your answers on a separate piece of paper titled (#8)
“Design Elements & Principles Assessment”. Add this to your assignment log, in your class binder, for an upcoming notebook check.
OBJECTIVES:
After studying this lesson, you will be able to:
1. Identify the necessary points to achieve well-designed printed material.
2. List the five elements of design and state their purposes.
3. Use the principles of design so images have a pleasing relationship.
INTRODUCTIONThe basic task is to produce an image that will communicate the desired message to the intended audience. Well-designed printed material should:
1. Attract the reader's attention.
2. Be easy to read and understand.
3. Have a lasting effect on the reader.
Therefore, it is essential to develop a good layout of visual materials. To achieve this, the fundamentals of design must be applied.
ELEMENTS OF DESIGNThe basic design elements are: lines, shapes, mass, texture, and color.
LinesLines can take many forms. They can be loose and free or they can be straight and sharp. Lines can create patterns which adds emotional impact to the visual image. Lines can also be used as forms of universal language in communication.
Shapes
The three basic
shapes: square, circle, and triangle.Each of these shapes have a psychological meaning associated with it. The triangle has the attitude of conflict or action. The circle gives the feeling of protection or infinity. Honesty or equality is associated with the square.
MassMass refers to the size or amount of space taken up by an element. The mass or solid, plus the shape, tend to give relationship with other elements. The various weights of different shapes can be used to emphasize type styles.
Texture
Texture is a part of every printed image. The first reaction is to touch the surface. Texture can be produced by lines that form images. However, this element is usually visual and no reaction would be received through the sense of touch. Actual texture can be produce by embossing.
Color
When
color is used on a layout, it causes that part of the layout to attract attention. Color can have a strong emotional and psychological impact on the reader. It can be used to add interest and to reduce boredom. Yellow, orange, and red are considered warm colors and often denotes aggression, excitement, and danger. Blue, green, and violet are considered to be cool colors and are associated with nature and passiveness.
PRINCIPLES OF DESIGN
The basic design principles include: balance, contrast, unity, rhythm, and proportion.
Balance
Balance refers to equalizing the weight of elements in a design. Formal balance is achieved when all of the elements on the page are of equal weight and are placed symmetrically on the page. If a line were drawn through the exact center, it would divide the design elements in half. Informal balance may be achieved when the value, size, and location of unequal elements on a page are changed.
Contrast
Contrast or emphasis adds variety to a design. It is the variations of elements in the printed product. Some elements of a layout stand out because of contrast. This is achieved by a difference in size, color or appearance. A few contrasts are: round and straight, ornate and plain, broad and narrow. Contrast can be used to keep the attention of the reader and to keep the reader's interest moving from one element to another.
UnityUnity or harmony gives elements the appearance of belonging together. It is the proper balance of all elements so that a pleasing whole results. The image is viewed as one piece, as a whole, and not as separate elements. Using too many shapes or typefaces may cause a design to be unfocused. An organized design can be achieved by using a basic shape which is then repeated.
RhythmRhythm is used to create eye movement and direction. It occurs when a design element is repeated. Rhythm acts as guide so the eye reads important parts of a message. Numbers can then be used to direct the reader from one element to another.
Proportion
Proportion is the relationship between size and shape. It helps to achieve balance and unity in a layout. To obtain good proportion the sizes of the elements must be regulated. To avoid the design from being dull and static, proportion must be balanced by the use of contrast or unity. Proportion is a means of developing an aesthetically pleasing relationship between each of the elements used in the layout.
DESIGN ELEMENTS & PRINCIPLES ASSESSMENTPlease write you answers on a separate piece of paper titled (#7) “Design Elements & Principles Assessment”. Add this to your assignment log, in your class binder, for an upcoming notebook check.1. The following is NOT an element of design:
a. Shape. b. Texture. c. Mass. d. Beauty.
2. The attitude of conflict or action is associated with the __________.
3. The feeling of protection or infinity is given by the __________.
4. Honesty or equality is associated with the __________.
5. The design element that can be produced by lines that form images or can be created by embossing is __________.
6. Color can be used to add interest and to reduce boredom. True or False?
7. Warm colors are yellow, orange and red. True or False?
8. Cool colors are blue, green, and violet. True or False?
9. The following is NOT a design principle:
a. Balance. b. Unity. c. Equality. d. Contrast.
10. There are two kinds of balance, informal and __________.
11. Variety is added to a design by the use of _________.
12. Elements appear to belong together by the use of unity. True or False?
13. Eye movement is created by the design principle __________.
14. An aesthetically pleasing relationship between elements is achieved with __________.
